1944 – Richard J. Danzig was born in New York City.

Attended the Bronx High School of Science.

Received a B.A. degree from Reed College.

Finished a J.D. degree from Yale Law School.

Earned Bachelor of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Oxford University.

Danzig served as a law clerk to United States Supreme Court Justice Byron White.

1972-1977 – He taught contract law at Stanford and Harvard Universities.

Awarded a Prize Fellowship of the Harvard Society of Fellows, and a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship.

1977-1981 – Served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, first as a Deputy Assistant Secretary and then as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower, Reserve Affairs and Logistics.

1981 – He was awarded the Defense Distinguished Public Service Award.

1981-1993 – He was a Washington, D.C. partner of the national law firm of Latham & Watkins.

1998 – Danzig was sworn in as the 71st Secretary of the Navy on 16th of November.

1993-1997 – Served as Under Secretary of the Navy.