He was succeeded by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. Robert McNamara, who was well known as one of Ford Motor Company's 'Whiz Kids', was appointed Secretary of Defense. Rejecting liberal pressure to choose Stevenson as Secretary of State, Kennedy instead turned to Dean Rusk, a restrained former Truman official, to lead the Department of State. Robert McNamara, who was well known as one of Ford Motor Company's 'Whiz Kids', was appointed Secretary of Defense. Rejecting liberal pressure to choose Stevenson as Secretary of State, Kennedy instead turned to Dean Rusk, a restrained former Truman official, to lead the Department of State.
Lyndon B. Johnson.|Dean Rusk, Dean Rusk,
Lyndon B. Johnson.|Dean Rusk, Dean Rusk,