Defiant Iraq War Foe Defined by Vietnam

"He was very passionate about the things that are his core beliefs," said Seth Cropsey, a deputy undersecretary of the Navy who reported to Webb. "I could not figure out how he could apply that passion to the administrative details of being secretary of the Navy."

A month after taking office, Webb sent a directive that performance in combat would receive greater weight in determining promotions -- a move that some female junior officers saw as putting them at a disadvantage because they were prohibited by law from combat assignments.

"To me, it was kind of an under-the-table way of putting a glass ceiling in place," said Donna Sengelaub, 48, a retired Navy commander and 1982 Naval Academy graduate.

Later, under pressure from Congress, Webb opened more jobs to women, as did the other military branches.

Jeffrey E. McFadden, an academy graduate who worked as Webb's speechwriter, said he admired the way Webb took control of staff meetings with admirals and generals who were years older. But Webb seemed to enjoy most being around grunts and sailors, McFadden said.

During a ceremony, McFadden recalled, Webb watched as Gen. Alfred M. Gray Jr., a Marine commandant whom Webb much admired, decorated Marines for bravery. After pinning the medals, Gray gave each recipient a hard, big-brotherly punch in the arm. When Gray finished, the brash young Navy secretary gave the commandant the same playful sock on the arm, and the crowd of Marines roared in approval.

But Webb clashed with Weinberger's successor, Frank C. Carlucci, and spoke out against budget cuts demanded by Congress. On Feb. 22, 1988, after 10 months, Webb quit. He sent his aide to hand-deliver his resignation letter to Reagan. But he left his resignation letter to Carlucci on the desk of one of the secretary's aides -- a gesture noted at the time for a lack of class.

A Tightknit Family

Webb settled in Falls Church and still has family in Southwest Virginia. He has been married three times and has four children: Amy Hogan, 36; James Robert Webb; Sarah C. Webb, 23, and Julia A. Webb, 21. Webb's wife, Hong Le Webb, a securities lawyer, is expecting a child in December. Family members said Webb is close to all his children, but especially to Jimmy, who left Penn State University to join the Marines. He is serving in Anbar Province in Iraq.

In an interview, Jim Webb's eyes welled as he recalled walking Civil War battlefields with his son. But he would not discuss what it is like to be a father whose son is also a warrior.

Staff researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.