Michael Hayden Armacost was an American diplomat, who was acting United States Secretary of State during the early days of the administration of President George H. W. Bush, before Secretary James Baker was confirmed by the Senate. Armacost also served as United States Ambassador to Japan and the president of the Brookings Institution from 1995 to 2002. He was later a fellow at Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute from 2002 to 2021. Born: April 15, 1937 Died: March 8, 2025 In office: January 20, 1989 – January 25, 1989 Wiki link