Shinseki Takes Oath Of Office as Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Shinseki Sworn In, Vows 21st Century Service to Veterans 01/24/09. Retired Army Gen. Eric K. Shinseki took the oath of office as Secretary of Veterans Affairs on Jan. 21. Shinseki was born in Hawaii in 1942 and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1965. He served two combat tours and was wounded in action in Vietnam. He served with distinction in Europe, the Pacific and stateside, eventually becoming the senior officer in the U.S. Army in June 1999. He retired from the Army in August 2003. VA