Sargent Shriver: First Peace Corps Director and War on Poverty Leader Di

Sargent Shriver was an American diplomat and public servant. Born on November 9, 1915, in Westminster, Maryland, he served in the Navy in World War II and married Eunice Kennedy in 1953.

President John F. Kennedy, his brother-in-law, named him the first director of the Peace Corps in 1961. Under President Johnson he led the War on Poverty, including Head Start and Job Corps. He served as ambassador to France and was the Democratic vice presidential nominee with George McGovern in 1972.

He and Eunice had five children, including Maria Shriver. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 and developed Alzheimer's disease. Shriver died in Bethesda, Maryland, on January 18, 2011, at age 95.

Achievements: First Peace Corps director, Presidential Medal of Freedom (1994).

Birth: November 9, 1915 - Westminster, Maryland.

Profession: Public servant and diplomat.

Interesting Facts: He was George McGovern's 1972 running mate.