When McElroy acceded to Eisenhower 's request in 1957 that he become secretary of defense , he limited his availability to about two years . Although there was criticism that the secretary was leaving just as he had learned the job , McElroy confirmed early in 1959 that he would resign before the end of the year . Speculation that Deputy Secretary of Defense Donald A. Quarles would succeed him ended with Quarles 's death in May 1959 . Secretary of the Navy Thomas S. Gates , Jr. , succeeded Quarles , and when McElroy 's resignation became effective on December 1 , 1959 , Gates replaced him . Actually , McElroy served longer as secretary of defense than any of his predecessors except Wilson . That same day , President Eisenhower presented McElroy with the Medal of Freedom
Medal of Freedom
Medal of Freedom (1945)
Neil H. McElroy