Brent Scowcroft, prominent elder statesman, has died

Brent Scowcroft, the former Air Force general who served as the national security adviser under Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush, has died at the age of 95, according to a statement from The Scowcroft Group.

Scowcroft is best known for his tenure in the Bush administration and his handling of the Persian Gulf War and remained one of the nation's most prominent elder statesmen and well-known experts on international security matters.

"Lieutenant General Brent Scowcroft passed away yesterday at the age of 95 of natural causes," said the statement.

"Brent Scowcroft was an American patriot and public servant of the highest order with an extraordinary military and government service career spanning over 60 years," the statement continued.

"His entire professional life was devoted to how best to protect America and advance its interests. He mentored two generations of American public servants who revered him for his brilliance, integrity, humility and fundamental decency," it said. "He served the United States with great honor and distinction and is considered one of the most influential experts in international affairs."

"Given his role as advisor to US Presidents Richard Nixon through Barack Obama, no individual has provided as many commanders-in-chief as much national security advice – irrespective of party lines," it said. Scowcroft is the only person to have served as national security adviser under two presidents.

Before serving as Bush's national security adviser, he served in the same role during President Gerald Ford's administration after filling the role of deputy national security adviser under both the Nixon and Ford administrations while he was still on active duty as an Air Force general officer. He retired in 1975 as a lieutenant general, capping a 29-year career in the Air Force that began with his graduation from West Point shortly after the service was established in 1947.

After his government service, Scowcroft established The Scowcroft Group, an international business consulting firm, and worked with various think tanks. He also served on a number of Blue-Ribbon commissions dealing with national security.

Most recently, in 2016, Scowcroft garnered attention for endorsing Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for president, over President Donald Trump, then the Republican nominee.

"The presidency requires the judgment and the knowledge to make tough calls under pressure," Scowcroft said at the time. "I believe Hillary Clinton has the wisdom and experience to lead our country at this critical time.”

Known as a trusted confidant of the Bush family, Scowcroft did not hesitate to publicly criticize President George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq in 2003.

Scowcroft drew praise from Robert O'Brien, Trump's national security adviser, who called him "one of the most distinguished individuals to serve" in the role.

"General Scowcroft set the standard for effective leadership and defined the modern role of the NSA, acting as an 'honest broker' by moving to the President’s desk well-vetted and thoroughly debated policy options and advice for his consideration," said O'Brien.

O'Brien said he admired Scowcroft long before he became the national security adviser "and my appreciation for his skill, dignity and wisdom has only grown."

"My goal since taking office has been to follow the 'Scowcroft Model' for President Trump’s NSC," said O'Brien.

His dedication transcended political ideology, which is why presidents, vice presidents and foreign policy thinkers of both Republican and Democratic administrations sought and valued his counsel," former Vice President Joe Biden said of Scowcroft.

Biden described Scowcroft as "the gold standard" for the job of national security adviser and said "his example will inspire future generations of policy makers to serve our country with honor. "

"General Scowcroft was a wise, principled, brilliant strategist and a great public servant," said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., in a statement. "He was a noble, thoughtful scholar and gentleman -- truly an American statesman -- who served with honor and distinction. His voice, wise counsel, friendship, and international leadership will be sorely missed."

"While he worked in Republican administrations, he always took a non-partisan approach to foreign policy and was perhaps the leading critic of the Bush-Cheney doctrine of pre-emption in the run up to the invasion of Iraq," said Reed. "He’s been an informal advisor to many presidents and universally respected for his keen insight and intellect."

“He was for me a heroic example of principled public service that exemplified duty, honor, country," said Reed. "His example inspires and sustains me.”

In 1991, Bush presented Scowcroft with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. In 1993 he was awarded an honorary knighthood -- a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) -- by Queen Elizabeth II.