September 13, 2021
The Andrew W. Marshall Foundation
On Monday, September 13, 2021, the Andrew W. Marshall Foundation (AWMF) hosted an event in honor of Andy Marshall’s centenary.
Jaymie Durnan, Co-Founder and Chairman of AWMF, welcomed the audience. Mr. Durnan noted that “Andy was much more than his career; he was a friend, a man who loved his two wives, both of whom predeceased him, and a man who knew when to be serious, when to tell jokes, and when just to have fun.”
Dr. Richard Danzig, 71st Secretary of the Navy, provided opening remarks. He referred to Andy as a “remarkably smart man with rock-hard integrity,” and focused his remarks on Andy’s relations with those with whom he worked. “Andy loved us and we loved him,” said Dr. Danzig. “Andy had this extraordinary quality; he gave each of us a sense that we were important, that he cared about what we thought.”
Dr. Jacqueline Deal, President of Long-Term Strategy Group (LTSG), moderated the event and provided remarks on understanding Andy’s past and legacy: “Mr. Marshall was unusual not just because of his longevity, but also because of his curiosity, the knowledge he acquired through practical work, and the perspective that this gave him.”
Dr. Andrew May spoke about Andy’s influences and approach. “Andy was an analyst who pioneered wholly new methods of studying the behavior of ourselves and our adversaries,” Dr. May said. “He encouraged us to think more deeply and more thoroughly, and more originally and more grounded in reality than we otherwise would ever have done.”
Dr. Matthew Daniels discussed how we may channel Andy’s ways for the challenges ahead. Andy “succeeded in building a network of some of the very best thinkers in the United States,” Dr. Daniels said. He continued to recommend that we “encourage somewhat unusual people to be…independent thinkers,” and concluded: “the good life can center on exercising curiosity and solving hard problems, and doing good for our people and our society.”
The event concluded with a question-and-answer session with the audience.
For more reflections on Andy Marshall’s life and legacy, see Remembering Andy Marshall: Essays by His Friends.