James W. Forrestal - Photo and Brief Bio

James V. Forrestal became the United States Secretary of the Navy on 23 April 1944, holding the position until he became Secretary of Defense in September of 1947.

Unhappy with Forrestal's performance at the Defense Department, President Truman asked for his resignation. His last day as Secretary was March 28, 1949 - the date of this picture.

Thereafter, suffering from depression, Forrestal was admitted to Bethesda Naval Hospital. On the 22nd of May, 1949, he fell to his death from a 16th-floor window. Although an autopsy was performed, its results were never made public.