View source for James Cartwright

{{short description|8th Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff}}
{{Other people|James Cartwright}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= James Cartwright
|image= GEN Cartwright VJCS.jpg
|image_size= 
|alt= 
|caption= Official portrait, 2007
|nickname= "Hoss"<ref name=WH_PressRelease_20070628>{{cite web|access-date=August 28, 2008|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/06/20070628-1.html|author=Bush, President George W.|title=President Bush Nominates Admiral Michael Mullen and General James Cartwright to Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|publisher=Office of the Press Secretary, The White House|date=June 28, 2007|author-link=George W. Bush}}</ref>
|birth_date= {{birth date and age|1949|9|22}}
|birth_place= [[Rockford, Illinois]], United States
|death_date= 
|death_place= 
|placeofburial= 
|allegiance= [[United States]]
|branch= [[United States Marine Corps]]
|serviceyears= 1971–2011 
|rank= [[General (United States)|General]]
|unit= 
|commands= [[Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]]<br />[[United States Strategic Command]]<br />[[1st Marine Aircraft Wing]]<br />[[Marine Aircraft Group 31]]<br />[[VMFA-232|Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232]]
|battles= [[War on Terror]]
|awards= [[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] (4)<br />[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]<br />[[Army Distinguished Service Medal]]<br />[[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]]<br />[[Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal]]<br />[[Legion of Merit]] (2)
|relations= 
|laterwork= 
}}
'''James Edward "Hoss" Cartwright'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/pardon/obama-pardons#PJAN172017 |title=Pardons Granted by President Barack Obama (2009-2014) {{!}} PARDON {{!}} Department of Justice |website=www.justice.gov |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221132806/http://www.justice.gov/pardon/obama-pardons |archive-date=2015-02-21}}</ref> (born September 22, 1949) is a retired [[United States Marine Corps]] [[General (United States)|general]] who last served as the eighth [[vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] from August 31, 2007, to August 3, 2011. He previously served as the Commander, [[United States Strategic Command|U.S. Strategic Command]], from September 1, 2004, to August 10, 2007, and as Acting Commander, U.S. Strategic Command from July 9, 2004, to September 1, 2004. He retired from the Marine Corps on August 3, 2011, after nearly 40 years of service.

Cartwright was accused of providing classified information that was published in the book ''[[Confront and Conceal]]'' by [[David E. Sanger|David Sanger]].<ref name="CBS171016">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/17/us/politics/obama-pardons-james-cartwright-general-who-lied-to-fbi-in-leak-case.html|title=Obama Pardons James Cartwright, General Who Lied to F.B.I. in Leak Case|last=Savage|first=Charlie|date=January 17, 2017|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=17 October 2016}}</ref> During the course of the investigation, Cartwright agreed to be interviewed by the FBI without a lawyer present.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=The perfect weapon : war, sabotage, and fear in the cyber age|last=Sanger|first=David E.|isbn=9780451497895|edition= First|location=New York|oclc=1039082430}}</ref> He was indicted for lying to the FBI regarding the time and locations of meetings with Sanger.<ref name=":0" /> Cartwright was never charged with leaking any classified information; Sanger maintains that Cartwright did not provide him with any classified material.<ref name=":0" /> On October 17, 2016, he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI regarding an investigation into the source of leaked classified information. He had been scheduled to be sentenced on January 31, 2017,<ref name="Politico">{{cite web|last1=Gerstein|first1=Josh|title=Journalists' letters submitted in Cartwright leniency bid|website=[[Politico]]|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/journalists-letters-cartwright-leniency-bid-233443|date=January 10, 2017|access-date=January 10, 2017}}</ref> but was pardoned and had his security clearance restored<ref name=":0" /> by [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]] on January 17, 2017.<ref name="The Hill">{{cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Katie Bo|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|title=Obama pardons James Cartwright in leak case|url=https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/314674-obama-pardons-james-cartwright-in-leak-case/|date=January 17, 2017|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Cartwright was born on September 22, 1949, in [[Rockford, Illinois|Rockford]], Illinois, and attended [[Rockford West High School|West High School]] before going on to the [[University of Iowa]].  While there he was a scholarship swimmer for the [[Iowa Hawkeyes]].<ref name=WH_PressRelease_20070628 />

==Career==
[[File:Bush, Mullen, and Cartwright 2007.jpg|thumb|left|[[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]] ''(at lectern)'' announces the nominations of Cartwright ''(far left)'' and [[Michael Mullen]] ''(second from left)'' to be [[Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|Vice Chairman]] and [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]], respectively, on June 28, 2007]]
Cartwright was commissioned a [[Second Lieutenant#United States|second lieutenant]] in the U.S. Marine Corps in November 1971. He attended [[Naval Flight Officer]] training and graduated in April 1973. He attended [[Naval Aviator]] training and graduated in January 1977. He has operational assignments as a [[Naval Flight Officer]] in the F-4, and as a pilot in the [[F-4 Phantom II|F-4]], [[A-4 Skyhawk|OA-4]], and [[F/A-18]].<ref name="DoD_bio">{{cite web
|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=138
|title=Official Biography: General James E. Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
|publisher=[[U.S. Department of Defense]]
|access-date=May 16, 2006}}</ref> His callsign comes from the fictional character [[Hoss Cartwright|Eric "Hoss" Cartwright]], the middle brother on the classic 1960s TV show ''[[Bonanza]]'', who was played by actor [[Dan Blocker]].

Cartwright's operational assignments include: Commanding General, [[1st Marine Aircraft Wing]] (2000–2002); Deputy Commanding General Marine Forces Atlantic (1999–2000); Commander [[Marine Aircraft Group 31]]  (1994–1996); Commander [[VMFA-232|Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232]] (1992); Fixed Wing Operations [[Marine Aircraft Group 24]] (1991); Commander [[MALS 12|Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12]] (1989–1990); Administration Officer and Officer-In-Charge Deployed Carrier Operations [[VMFAT-101]] (1983–1985); Aircraft Maintenance Officer [[VMFA-235]] (1979–1982); Line Division Officer [[VMFA-333]] {{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68|6}} (1975–1977); Embarkation OIC VMFA-251 & 232 (1973–1975).<ref name="DoD_bio"/>

Cartwright's staff assignments include: Director for Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, J-8 the Joint Staff (2002–2004); Directorate for Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, J-8 the Joint Staff (1996–1999); Deputy Aviation Plans, Policy, and Budgets Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (1993–1994); Assistant Program Manager for Engineering, F/A-18 Naval Air Systems Command (1986–1989).<ref name="DoD_bio"/>

Cartwright was named the Outstanding Carrier Aviator by the Association of Naval Aviation in 1983. He graduated with distinction from the [[Air Command and Staff College]], [[Maxwell AFB]] 1986, and received his Master of Arts in [[National Security]] and [[Strategic Studies]] from the [[Naval War College]], [[Newport, Rhode Island]], 1991. In 2008, he was honored with the [[Naval War College Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award]]. He was selected for and completed a fellowship with [[MIT Seminar XXI]] in 1994.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://semxxi.mit.edu/about/messages/from-the-director |title=From the Director: September, 2015 |last=Art |first=Robert |date=September 1, 2015 |website=MIT Seminar XXI |publisher=[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]}}; {{cite web |author=Massachusetts Institute of Technology|url=https://semxxi.mit.edu/alumni  |title=Find Alumni |website=MIT Seminar XXI |publisher=[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]}}</ref>

From July 9, 2004, to September 1, 2004, Lieutenant General Cartwight served as Acting Commander, [[United States Strategic Command]] while awaiting official assumption of office and promotion as Strategic Command's new commander. On September 1, 2004, Cartwright was sworn in as Commander, United States Strategic Command.<ref name="stratcom-bio">{{cite web
|url=http://www.usmc.mil/genbios2.nsf/biographies/A12F0CE8687DFFD585256803004C023D?opendocument
|title=General James E. Cartwright, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command
|format=Official Biography
|publisher=United States Marine Corps
|date=August 30, 2004
|access-date=May 16, 2006
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614025556/http://www.usmc.mil/genbios2.nsf/biographies/A12F0CE8687DFFD585256803004C023D?opendocument
|archive-date=June 14, 2006}}</ref> He was promoted to full general on the same day.<ref name=USMCdir_20080108>"Public Directory of: U.S. Marine Corps General Officers & Senior Executives", U.S. Marine Corps, January 8, 2008.</ref>
[[File:US Navy 090128-N-0696M-200 President Barack Obama addresses the media during his first visit to the Pentagon since becoming commander-in-chief.jpg|thumb|right|(Jan. 28, 2009) [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]], with Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff; Gen. George W. Casey, U.S. Army chief of staff; Gen. James E. Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the President's first visit to the Pentagon as the Commander-in-Chief. ]]

[[File:Cartwright and England follow the progress of USA 193.jpg|thumb|left|Cartwright (left) and [[United States Deputy Secretary of Defense|Deputy Defense Secretary]] [[Gordon R. England]] watching the progress of an [[RIM-161 Standard missile 3|SM-3 anti-ballistic missile]] in 2008]]

On June 8, 2007, [[United States Secretary of Defense|Defense Secretary]] [[Robert Gates]] recommended Cartwright to be the next [[Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]], to replace retiring Admiral [[Edmund Giambastiani]]. President [[George W. Bush]] formally announced the nomination, with that of [[Admiral (United States)|Admiral]] [[Michael Mullen]] to be [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]], on June 28, 2007.<ref name=MCT_McMichael_20070608>{{cite news
 |access-date=June 9, 2007
 |url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/06/navy_jcschair_mullen_070608w/
 |title=Gates taps new JCS chairman, vice chair
 |date=June 8, 2007
 |author=McMichael, William H.
 |work=Marine Corps Times
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613123342/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/06/navy_jcschair_mullen_070608w/
 |archive-date=June 13, 2007
 |url-status=dead
 }}</ref>

Senator [[John Warner]] of Virginia, the senior Republican on the [[United States Senate Committee on Armed Services|Senate Armed Services Committee]], stated, "General Cartwright has an extraordinary grasp and understanding of the global posture that America must maintain in this era of new and ever-changing threats".<ref name=CNN_Starr_20070608>{{cite news
 |access-date=June 9, 2007
 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/08/gates.pace/
 |title= Pace leaving as Joint Chiefs chairman
 |author=Starr, Barbara and Suzanne Malveaux
 |date=June 8, 2007
 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>

Cartwright's nomination was confirmed by the full Senate on August 3, 2007. Due to the retirement of Admiral Giambastiani on July 27, 2007, Cartwright assumed the position immediately upon confirmation.<ref name=DefenseLink_Miles_20070806>{{cite news
 |access-date=August 17, 2007
 |url=http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46957
 |title= Senate Confirms Mullen, Cartwright for Top Military Positions
 |last=Miles|first=Donna
 |date=August 6, 2007
 |agency=[[American Forces Press Service]]
 |work=DefenseLINK |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref> He was sworn in on August 31, 2007, as the 8th Vice Chairman.<ref name=DefenseLink_Garamone_20070831>{{cite news|access-date=February 24, 2009
|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47260
|title=Gates Swears in Cartwright as Vice Chairman
|first=Jim |last=Garamone
|agency=American Forces Press Service
|work=DefenseLINK
|publisher=U.S. Department of Defense
|date=August 31, 2007}}</ref> On March 18, 2009, Secretary of Defense Gates announced that Cartwright had been nominated for a second term as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.<ref name=MCT_Tan_20090318>{{cite news
|access-date=March 18, 2009
|url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/03/army_gates_mullen_cartwright_031809w/
|title=Mullen, Cartwright nominated for 2nd terms
|first=Michelle
|last=Tan
|date=March 18, 2009
|work=Marine Corps Times
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405060935/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/03/army_gates_mullen_cartwright_031809w/
|archive-date=April 5, 2012
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> He was confirmed by the Senate on July 31, 2009.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/one_item_and_teasers/noms_confn.htm U.S. Senate Legislation & Records Home  Nominations Confirmed (Non-Civilian)]</ref>

The military investigated Cartwright in 2009 and 2010 for possible misconduct involving a female Marine captain, and investigators recommended administrative action for "failure to discipline a subordinate" and "fostering an unduly familiar relationship". [[Secretary of the Navy]] [[Ray Mabus]], however, reviewed the evidence and found it insufficient to warrant corrective action for even the lesser offenses. He stated, "I do not agree with the conclusion that General Cartwright maintained an 'unduly familiar relationship' with his aide. Nor do I agree that General Cartwright's execution of his leadership responsibilities vis-à-vis his aide or any other member of his staff was inconsistent with the leadership requirements".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/us/politics/24pentagon.html | work=The New York Times | first=Thom | last=Shanker | title=General James Cartwright Is Cleared of Sex Accusations | date=February 23, 2011}}</ref> Questions about how he oversaw his staff, however, were mentioned as a reason Cartwright had fallen out as the favored candidate of President Obama for [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] in 2011. Army chief Gen. [[Martin Dempsey]] was named to the post. "Some Republicans [had] ... quietly criticized Gen. Cartwright, calling him 'Obama's general,'" one report at the time also said.<ref>Entous, Adam, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303745304576355321237338548 "Top Officer in Army to Lead Joint Chiefs"], ''The Wall Street Journal'', May 31, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.</ref>

Cartwright held his retirement ceremony on August 3, 2011. During the ceremony, Deputy Secretary of Defense [[William J. Lynn III]] presented Cartwright his fourth [[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]]. He also received the [[Army Distinguished Service Medal|Army]], [[Navy Distinguished Service Medal|Navy]], [[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal|Air Force]], and [[Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal|Coast Guard]] distinguished service medals.<ref>[https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/id/64913/ "Panetta Honors Cartwright During Farewell Tribute"] American Forces Press Service, Aug. 3, 2011, Retrieved March 26, 2012.</ref>

==Dates of rank==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Insignia
!Rank
!Date
|-
|align="center" |[[File:US Marine O1 shoulderboard.svg|160px]]
|[[Second Lieutenant#United States|Second Lieutenant]]
|November 12, 1971
|-
|align="center" |[[File:US Marine O2 shoulderboard.svg|160px]]
|[[First Lieutenant#United States|First Lieutenant]]
|November 1, 1973
|-
|align="center" |[[File:US Marine O3 shoulderboard.svg|160px]]
|[[Captain (U.S. Marine Corps)|Captain]]
|November 7, 1976
|-
|align="center" |[[File:US Marine O4 shoulderboard.svg|160px]]
|[[Major (United States)|Major]]
|August 1, 1977
|-
|align="center" |[[File:US Marine O5 shoulderboard.svg|160px]]
|[[Lieutenant Colonel]]
|November 1, 1981
|-
|align="center" |[[File:US Marine O6 shoulderboard.svg|160px]]
|[[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]]
|March 9, 1993
|-
|align="center" |[[File:US Marine O7 shoulderboard.svg|160px]]
|[[Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General]]
|October 1, 1997
|-
|align="center" |[[File:US Marine O8 shoulderboard.svg|160px]]
|[[Major general (United States)|Major General]]
|2001
|-
|align="center" |[[File:US Marine O9 shoulderboard.svg|160px]]
|[[Lieutenant General (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
|May 6, 2002
|-
|align="center" |[[File:US Marine 10 shoulderboard.svg|160px]]
|[[General (United States)|General]]
|July 21, 2004
|}
<ref>{{cite book |title=The Chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1949-2012 |date=October 27, 2012 |publisher=Joint History Office |isbn=978-1480200203 |page=320 |edition=2 |url=https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/History/Institutional/Chairmanship_of_the_JCS.pdf}}</ref>

==Military awards and badges==
Cartwright received the following decorations, awards, and badges:
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="4"|[[File:Naval Aviator Badge.jpg|200px]]<br />[[File:Navalflightoff.jpeg|200px]]
|rowspan="5" align="center" |[[File:Joint Chiefs of Staff seal.svg|center|130px]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Coast Guard Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Achievement ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=4|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award-3d.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Korea Defense Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=5|type=service-star|ribbon=Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|} 
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="4"|[[Naval Aviator insignia]]<br />[[Naval Flight Officer insignia]]
|rowspan="5" align="center" |[[Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge]]
|-
|[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] w/ three [[oak leaf cluster]]s
|[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
|[[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Army Distinguished Service Medal]]
|[[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]]
|-
|[[Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal]]
|[[Legion of Merit]] w/ one [[5/16 inch star|{{frac|5|16}}" Gold Star]]
|[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]]
|[[Commendation Medal|Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal]] w/ one {{frac|5|16}}" Gold Star
|-
|[[Achievement Medal|Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal]]
|[[Joint Meritorious Unit Award]] w/ four oak leaf clusters
|[[Navy Unit Commendation]]
|[[Meritorious Unit Commendation|Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]] w/ two [[service star|{{frac|3|16}}" bronze star]]s
|-
|[[National Defense Service Medal]] w/ two {{frac|3|16}}" bronze stars
|[[Global War on Terrorism Service Medal]]
|[[Korea Defense Service Medal]]
|[[Sea Service Ribbon|Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon]] w/ one [[Service star|{{frac|3|16}}" silver star]]
|-
|}

==Leak investigation, conviction, and pardon==
In June 2013, it was reported that Cartwright had received a [[target letter]] from the [[U.S. Justice Department]], informing him that he was  under investigation for leaking [[Classified information in the United States|classified information]] about [[Stuxnet]], a [[computer virus]] used in a U.S.-Israel [[cyberattack]] against centrifuges in [[Nuclear program of Iran|Iranian nuclear facilities]] (see [[Operation Olympic Games]]).<ref>{{cite web|last=Isikoff|first=Michael|title=Ex-Pentagon general target of leak investigation, sources say|url=http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/27/19174350-ex-pentagon-general-target-of-leak-investigation-sources-say?lite|work=NBC News|access-date=19 October 2013|date=27 June 2013}}</ref> Federal investigators reportedly suspected that Cartwright leaked details of the operation to a ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' reporter.<ref name="Nakashima">Ellen Nakashima & Adam Goldman, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/leak-investigation-stalls-amid-fears-of-confirming-joint-us-israel-operation/2015/03/10/2a348b1e-c36c-11e4-9ec2-b418f57a4a99_story.html Leak investigation stalls amid fears of confirming U.S.-Israel operation], ''Washington Post'' (March 10, 2015).</ref>

In March 2015, the ''Washington Post'' reported that the sensitive leak investigation, led by [[Rod Rosenstein]], had "stalled amid concerns that a prosecution in federal court could force the government to confirm" information about the highly classified program.<ref name="Nakashima"/> U.S. officials feared that if classified information were revealed in any information, it would harm U.S.-Israeli relations and would also complicate the then-pending negotiations on an [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|agreement with Iran over the nuclear program]].<ref name="Nakashima"/> It was reported that federal prosecutors had discussions with the [[Office of White House Counsel]], then led by [[Kathryn Ruemmler]], on whether certain material important to the case would be declassified, and Ruemmler conveyed that the government was unwilling to provide the documentation.<ref name="Nakashima"/>

Cartwright denied any wrongdoing; his attorney, [[Gregory B. Craig]], said in March 2015 that Cartwright had no contact with federal investigators for over a year.<ref name="Nakashima"/> Craig stated: "General Cartwright has done nothing wrong. He has devoted his entire life to defending the United States. He would never do anything to weaken our national defense or undermine our national security. Hoss Cartwright is a national treasure, a genuine hero and a great patriot."<ref name="Nakashima"/>

On November 2, 2012, in an interview with the FBI, Cartwright denied he was the source of the leaks.  On October 17, 2016, Cartwright entered a guilty plea in the [[U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia]] on a charge of [[making false statements]] during the leak investigation, a felony.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-vice-chairman-joint-chiefs-staff-pleads-guilty-federal-felony-leak-investigation |title=Former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Pleads Guilty to Federal Felony in Leak Investigation |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= 17 October 2016|website=justice.gov |publisher=United States Government |access-date=17 October 2016}}</ref>

Outgoing President [[Barack Obama]] pardoned Cartwright on January 17, 2017,<ref name="TheIntercept">{{cite web |url=https://theintercept.com/2017/01/18/obamas-pardon-of-gen-james-cartwright-is-a-new-twist-in-the-war-on-leaks/ |title=Obama's Pardon of Gen. James Cartwright Is a New Twist in the War on Leaks |author=Peter Maas |date= 18 January 2017|website=theintercept.com |access-date=20 November 2019}}</ref> two weeks prior to his scheduled sentencing hearing.<ref name="The Hill"/>

==Post-retirement work==
Cartwright was the inaugural holder of the Harold Brown Chair in Defense Policy Studies at the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]], a think tank{{snd}}a post he held from 2011 until 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csis.org/programs/international-security-program/harold-brown-chair|title = Harold Brown Chair &#124; Center for Strategic and International Studies}}</ref>  In addition, Cartwright serves as a member of the board of directors of [[Raytheon|The Raytheon Company]],<ref>{{cite web|title=James E. Cartwright Elected to Raytheon Board of Directors|url=http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2027|work=Raytheon|access-date=19 October 2013|date=27 January 2012}}</ref> a senior fellow at the [[Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs]] at [[Harvard Kennedy School]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=James|title=Former Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman James Cartwright Appointed Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center|url=http://www.hks.harvard.edu/news-events/news/press-releases/cartwright-belfer-center-fellow|work=Harvard Kennedy School|access-date=19 October 2013|date=2 October 2012|archive-date=July 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706043444/https://www.hks.harvard.edu/news-events/news/press-releases/cartwright-belfer-center-fellow|url-status=dead}}</ref> and as a defense consultant for [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Ford|first=David|title=General Cartwright (USMC ret.) and General Chiarelli (USA ret.) Join ABC News|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/05/general-cartwright-usmc-ret-and-general-chiarelli-usa-ret-join-abc-news/|work=ABC News|access-date=19 October 2013|date=21 May 2012}}</ref>

Cartwright is an advisor for several corporate entities involved in global management consulting, technology services and program solutions, predictive and [[big data]] analytics, and advanced systems engineering, integration, and decision-support services.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}{{Buzzword inline|date=December 2020}}  He serves as an advisor to the board of directors for [[Accenture]],{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} [[Enlightenment Capital]],{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} [[IxReveal]],{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} [[Logos Technologies]],{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} Opera Solutions,{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} and [[TASC Inc.]]{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} He is also affiliated with a number of professional organizations, including the [[Aspen Strategy Group]],{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} [https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/ The Atlantic Council],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/about/board-of-directors/|title=Board of Directors|website=Atlantic Council|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref> the [[Nuclear Threat Initiative]],{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} and the Sanya Initiative.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}

Cartwright is also a leading advocate for the phased and verified elimination of all nuclear weapons worldwide<ref>{{cite news|last=Shanker|first=Thom|title=Former Commander of U.S. Nuclear Forces Calls for Large Cut in Warheads|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/world/cartwright-key-retired-general-backs-large-us-nuclear-reduction.html?_r=3&|access-date=19 October 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=15 May 2012}}</ref> ("[[Global Zero (campaign)]]"). In October 2011, he spoke at the Global Zero Summit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California,<ref>{{cite news|last=Willer-Allred|first=Michele|title=Global Zero Summit pushes to reduce nuclear weapons|url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/oct/11/global-zero-summit-pushes-to-reduce-nuclear/|access-date=19 October 2013|newspaper=Ventura County Star|date=11 October 2011|archive-date=December 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111220065343/http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/oct/11/global-zero-summit-pushes-to-reduce-nuclear/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and currently serves as Chair of the Global Zero U.S. Nuclear Policy Commission, which in May 2012 released its report, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120721002740/http://www.globalzero.org/en/us-nuclear-policy-commission-report "Modernizing U.S. Nuclear Force Structure and Policy,"] calling for the United States and Russia to reduce their nuclear arsenals 80% to 900 total weapons each, which would pave the way to bringing other nuclear weapons countries into the first-in-history multilateral nuclear arms negotiations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Towards a More Disarmed World|url=https://www.ft.com/content/dadd0bb4-9e8d-11e1-a767-00144feabdc0|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211231209/https://www.ft.com/content/dadd0bb4-9e8d-11e1-a767-00144feabdc0|archive-date=December 11, 2022|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|work=FT.com|publisher=The Financial Times|access-date=19 October 2013|date=15 May 2012}}</ref>

In June 2015, Cartwright was a signatory to a public letter written by a bipartisan group of 19 U.S. diplomats, experts, and others, on the then-pending negotiations for an [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|agreement between Iran and world powers]] over Iran's nuclear program.<ref name="BroadLetter">William J. Broad, [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/15/world/middleeast/iran-nuclear-accords-complexity-shows-bipartisan-letters-impact.html Iran Accord's Complexity Shows Impact of Bipartisan Letter], ''The New York Times'' (14 July 2015).</ref><ref name="JuneLetter">[http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/public-statement-on-u.s.-policy-toward-the-iran-nuclear-negotiations Public Statement on U.S. Policy Toward the Iran Nuclear Negotiations Endorsed by a Bipartisan Group of American Diplomats, Legislators, Policymakers, and Experts], Washington Institute for Near East Policy (24 June 2015).</ref> That letter outlined concerns about several provisions in the then-unfinished agreement and called for a number of improvements to strengthen the prospective agreement and win the letter-writers' support for it.<ref name="BroadLetter"/> The final agreement, concluded in July 2015, shows the influence of the letter.<ref name="BroadLetter"/> Cartwright endorsed the final agreement in August 2015, becoming one of 36 retired generals and admirals to sign an open letter in support of the agreement.<ref>[Read: An open letter from retired generals and admirals on the Iran nuclear deal], ''Washington Post'' (August 2015).{{full citation needed|date=March 2017}}</ref>{{full citation needed|date=March 2017}}

;Government civilian positions
* 2011–2013:  Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee Member<ref>{{cite web|title=DOD Announces New Defense Policy Board Members|url=https://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=14841|publisher=U.S. Department of Defense|access-date=19 October 2013|date=4 October 2011}}</ref>
* 2014: National Defense Panel, United States Institute of Peace<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150105185558/http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/Ensuring-a-Strong-U.S.-Defense-for-the-Future-NDP-Review-of-the-QDR.pdf Review of 2014 QDR]</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
* [[List of United States Marine Corps four-star generals]]
* [[List of people pardoned or granted clemency by the president of the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|James E. Cartwright}}
* [http://www.jcs.mil/ Joint Chiefs of Staff]
* [http://www.stratcom.mil/ U.S. Strategic Command]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/world/middleeast/obama-ordered-wave-of-cyberattacks-against-iran.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1 Involvement with "Olympic Games" aka Stuxnet]
* {{C-SPAN|1009416}}
* {{Facebook| JamesECartwright.Official |James E Cartwright}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{Succession box|title=[[Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]]|before=[[Edmund P. Giambastiani]]|after=[[James A. Winnefeld, Jr.]]|years=2007–2011}}
{{Succession box|title=Commander, [[United States Strategic Command]]|before=[[James O. Ellis]]|after=[[Kevin P. Chilton]]|years=2004–2007}}
{{end}}

{{VCJCS}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cartwright, James}}
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[[Category:People pardoned by Barack Obama]]
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