United States Department of Defense United States Department of Defense

It has been the honor of
my life to have served in
the position of secretary of defense. And wherever I go and whatever I do, I will thank God every day for
the men and women in this country who are willing to put their lives on the line
for all of us.
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta
Feb. 8, 2013
See Panetta's Travels

Panetta Leaves Legacy of Service, Leadership, Partnership

History likely will record Leon E. Panetta first as the CIA director who got Osama bin Laden. But over his 19 months as defense secretary, the former spy chief also got a crack at solving the problems of some 3 million battle-weary people -- while running two wars and warding off a budget meltdown. Story

Panetta Reflects on Public Service During Farewell Tribute

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said he has "truly lived the American dream," but told attendees at his armed forces farewell ceremony that he would have "no greater honor" in his life than leading the men and women of the U.S. military. Story

Panetta Praises DOD Employees' Commitment to Protecting America

As he prepares for retirement, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta addressed the Pentagon workforce, representing the entire Defense Department, thanking them for their contributions to national defense. Story

Obama Thanks Panetta for
Decades of Public Service

President Barack Obama praised retiring Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta for his 50 years of public service and for protecting the dream his parents sought when they came to the United States from Italy. Story

Dempsey to Panetta: 'You
Made Our Nation Safer'

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has imbued a sense of public service in generations of men and women while working to make the nation safer, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said during a farewell ceremony for the secretary. Story

Secretary Honors Troops' Combat Contributions With New Medal

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has approved a new medal designed to recognize service members directly affecting combat operations who may not even be on the same continent as the action. Story

Panetta Offers Campaign Context
for Troop Drawdown

The president’s announcement that 34,000 U.S. troops will come out of Afghanistan in the next 12 months "puts us firmly on a path, I believe, to fulfill our mission in Afghanistan," Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told reporters in what he called his last Pentagon news conference. Story

A Final Farewell to Secretary Panetta

Panetta Visits Leaders, Troops at Camp Victory, Iraq

Panetta Visits Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan

Panetta Lays Wreath at Seoul National Cemetery

Panetta Meets With Egyptian Leaders

Panetta Meets With Israeli, Palestinian Leaders

Panetta Visits Libya, Meets With Leaders

Panetta, U.S. Military Leaders Attend End-of-Mission Ceremony

Panetta Meets with Afghan Leaders, U.S. Troops

Panetta Meets With Israeli Leaders in Israel

Panetta Meets With China’s Defense Leaders in Beijing

Panetta Meets With British Leaders, Tours Palace of Westminster

Panetta Visits Vatican City, Italian Officials