John Poindexter
This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links, and converting useful links where appropriate into footnote references. (November 2012) John Poindexter 14th United States National Security Advisor In office December 4, 1985 – November 25, 1986 President Ronald Reagan Preceded by Robert McFarlane Succeeded by Frank Carlucci Personal details Born John Marlan Poindexter (1936-08-12) August 12, 1936 (age 78) Odon, Indiana, U.S. Spouse(s) Linda Poindexter Children 5 sons, including Alan G. Poindexter Alma mater United States Naval Academy, BS (1958) Caltech, MS (1961), PhD (1964) Profession Military officer Awards Legion of Merit (2) Presidential Service Badge Military service Allegiance  United States Service/branch  United States Navy Years of service 1958–1987 Rank Rear Admiral Vice Admiral (temporary) Commands USS England Destroyer Squadron 31 John Marlan Poindexter (born August 12, 1936) is a retired United States naval officer and Department of Defense official. He was Deputy National Security Advisor and National Security Advisor for the Reagan administration. He was convicted in April 1990 of multiple felonies as a result of his actions in the Iran–Contra affair, but his convictions were reversed on appeal in 1991. More recently, he served a brief stint as the director of the DARPA Information Awareness Office for the George W. Bush administration. He is the father of NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain Alan G. Poindexter.