George Marshall

A World War 2 general, Marshall became secretary of state in 1947 under President Harry Truman. Marshall is often brought in connection with the Marshall Plan. Although Marshall supported US economic aid to Europe, Marshall did not author the Marshall Plan. Instead, he lent his prestige and reputation as a former general to promoting the program. In 1950, Marshall became Secretary of Defense and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the Marshall Plan.