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Former U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter, who opened combat jobs to women and snuffed out a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, has died at the age of 68.
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The Carters said in a statement he succumbed to a heart attack on Monday evening in Boston.
Best known as a defence strategist, Carter was a nuclear expert and had served thrice in the Pentagon.
As part of his legacy spanning 35 years, Carter unnoticeably reshaped the U.S. military by ordering the military to open all jobs to women, including the most perilous and gruelling commando posts.
Carter was also named defence secretary by President Obama in 2014, and expedited the delivery of over 24,000 Ambush Protected vehicles to Iraq and Afghanistan in the thick of the conflicts there to better fortify U.S. troops.
But Obama's decision to commute Wikileaks contributor, Chelsea Manning's 35-year sentence, fed discord between the two.
Still, Obama lauded Carter for his strategic counsel that helped shape innovation and a stronger military.
President Joe Biden also commended Carter for his sacred obligation to the altruistic men and women in uniform.
Carter is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and two children.
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