Who was US Secretary of Defense from 1961 to 1968, who later became president of the World Bank?

• A. Dean Acheson
• B. James Baker
• C. Robert McNamara
• D. Henry Kissinger

Answer: (C)

Robert McNamara is the person described. He served as United States Secretary of Defense from 1961 to 1968 under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and then became president of the World Bank from 1968 to 1981. His time at the Pentagon is known for the Vietnam War era escalation and for bringing formal management and systems analysis methods into military planning. After leaving defense, he led the World Bank, guiding development lending and policy for years. The other figures held different roles: Dean Acheson was Secretary of State earlier, Henry Kissinger was a later Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, and James Baker held other top posts; none served as Defense Secretary in that period and later led the World Bank.