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TITLE: Lt. Gen. Julius Becton Jr. Discusses His Autobiography
SPEAKER: Lt. Gen. Julius Becton
EVENT DATE: 04/29/2008
RUNNING TIME: 67 minutes
DESCRIPTION:
Lt Gen. Julius W. Becton Jr. discussed and signed his book, "Becton: A Soldier and Public Servant" in a program sponsored by the Library's Center for the Book.
Speaker Biography: Raised in suburban Philadelphia, after finishing high school Becton entered a segregated U.S. Army at age 18. During his 40-year career, he served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War and eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant general. Among his decorations are the Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Stars, two Legion of Merit medals and two Purple Hearts. Following retirement, Becton joined the Reagan administration in 1984 as director of the Office of Foreign Assistance for the Agency for International Development. From 1985 to 1989, he was director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). His final civilian post was as superintendent of public schools in the District of Columbia. Becton, a resident of Springfield, Va., holds a master's degree in economics from the University of Maryland. He has been listed many times by "Ebony Magazine" as "One of the 100 Most Influential Blacks in America."
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SERIES: Books & Beyond