16 Facts About Donald Regan

Donald Thomas Regan was the 66th United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1981 to 1985 and the White House Chief of Staff from 1985 to 1987 under Ronald Reagan.

Donald Regan served as its chairman and CEO from 1971 to 1980.

Donald Regan earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Harvard College in 1940 and attended Harvard Law School before dropping out to join the Marine Corps at the outset of World War II.

Donald Regan reached the rank of lieutenant colonel while he was serving in the Pacific Theater.

Donald Regan was involved in five major campaigns, including Guadalcanal and Okinawa.

Donald Regan worked up through the ranks, eventually taking over as Merrill Lynch's chairman and CEO in 1971, the year the company went public.

Donald Regan was one of the original directors of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation and was vice chairman of the New York Stock Exchange from 1973 to 1975.

Donald Regan was a major proponent of brokerage firms going public, which he viewed as an important step in the modernization of Wall Street.

Donald Regan's lobbying played a large part of fixed commissions being abolished in 1975.

Donald Regan helped engineer changes in the tax code, reduce income tax rates, and decrease taxes for corporations.

Donald Regan unexpectedly swapped jobs with then White House Chief of Staff James Baker in 1985.

The Tower Commission, established by President Reagan to investigate the scandal, concluded that Donald Regan was responsible for the "chaos" that took hold of the White House.

Donald Regan was personally active in national security affairs, and attended almost all the relevant meetings regarding the Iran initiative.

Donald Regan is portrayed by Frank Moore in the 2003 TV movie The Reagans.

Donald Regan retired quietly in Virginia with Ann Donald Regan, his wife of over 60 years.

Donald Regan died of cancer on June 10,2003, at the age of 84, in a hospital near his home in Williamsburg, Virginia, and was served by Nelsen Funeral Home.