Forrestal got his start in the military in the Navy, and ended up as a navial aviator. He later entered the political arena and ended up as the Secretary of the Navy, and in 1947 became the 1st Secretary of Defense under Truman.
"During private cabinet meetings with President Truman in 1946 and 1947, Forrestal had argued against partition of Palestine on the grounds it would infuriate Arab countries who supplied oil needed for the U.S. economy and national defense. Instead, Forrestal favored a federalization plan for Palestine. Outside the White House, response to Truman's continued silence on the issue was immediate. President Truman received threats to cut off campaign contributions from wealthy donors, as well as hate mail, including a letter accusing him of "preferring fascist and Arab elements to the democracy-loving Jewish people of Palestine."[5] Appalled by the intensity and implied threats over the partition question, Forrestal appealed to Truman in two separate cabinet meetings not to base his decision on partition, whatever the outcome, on the basis of political pressure.[6] In his only known public comment on the issue, Forrestal stated to J. Howard McGrath, Senator from Rhode Island:
"...no group in this country should be permitted to influence our policy to the point it could endanger our national security."
Forrestal was responsible for some racial integration in the Navy. He also had an aircraft carrier class named after him ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Forrestal_(CV-59) ).
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