
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 15, 1990                   TAG: 9007150182
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: E12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

FORMER ARMY SECRETARY NAMED VIRGINIAN OF YEAR

Former Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh Jr. was named Virginian of the year at the Virginia Press Association's annual meeting Saturday.

Marsh, a four-term congressman from the 7th District, was the 14th secretary of the Army. He was sworn in Jan. 30, 1981, and retired Aug. 13, 1989. He served the longest term of any secretary of the Army.

Born in Winchester on Aug. 7, 1926, Marsh enlisted in the Army and was commissioned from Officers Candidate School in 1945 at the age of 19.

In 1951, Marsh graduated from Washington and Lee University and was admitted to the Virginia bar.

As congressman, he served from 1963 to 1971 and was a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Choosing not to seek a fifth term, he resumed the practice of law. He returned to federal service in March 1973 as the assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs.

In January 1974, he became former President Ford's assistant for national security affairs, then counselor with Cabinet rank to Ford.

He returned to private practice, most recently with the Richmond law firm of Hazel, Thomas, Fiske, Weiner, Beckhorn & Hanes.

by CNB