Joseph Maxwell Cleland (born August 24, 1942) is an American politician of Georgia. Cleland, a Democrat, is a former U.S. Senator and critic of the Bush Administration. Cleland also served in the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous action in combat, including during the battle of Khe Sanh. While in Vietnam in 1968, Cleland was severely wounded while attempting to pick up a grenade dropped by another soldier. He lost both legs and part of one arm in the accident.

Cleland served for several years in the Georgia state legislature, and became an advocate for affairs relating to veterans. He was the administrator of the United States Veterans Administration under President Jimmy Carter a fellow Georgian, from 1977 to 1981. He then served 14 years as secretary of state of Georgia from 1982 to 1996, working closely with his future Senate colleague, Zell Miller. Cleland ran for and was elected to the United States Senate in 1996. The Democratic nomination became available because of the retirement of Sam Nunn. He was defeated while running for a second term in 2002 by Representative Saxby Chambliss. Voters were angry at his criticisms of the Republican administration's national security policies, perhaps influenced by Chambliss ads which featured Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, which Cleland supporters claimed questioned his patriotism, though his opponent denied any such insinuation.

Though Cleland's disabilities have given him many hardships, he has managed to adapt and function with relative normality in life and politics. Many people have said that they have been inspired by his struggle.

Cleland was originally appointed to serve on the 9/11 Commission but resigned shortly after, claiming that the Bush administration was stonewalling and blocking the committee's access to key documents and witnesses. During his time away from politics, Cleland taught at American University.

In 2003, Cleland began working for the presidential campaign of Massachusetts senator (and fellow Vietnam veteran) John Kerry, who later won the Democratic nomination. Cleland often appeared at campaign events with Kerry, and was considered by many to be one of his most important assistants, partly as a symbol of the sacrifices made by soldiers for wars. He went to Bush's Texas ranch to deliver a swift boat ad complaint, but the event failed to have much impact. On July 29, 2004, Cleland introduced Kerry at the Democratic National Convention, making a speech just before Kerry's speech.

Cleland is author of the books Strong at the Broken Places and Going for the Max!: 12 Principles for Living Life to the Fullest. He holds a B.A. in English from Stetson University and a Masters degree in American History from Emory University. He holds honorary doctorate degrees from both institutions. 

Credit: max-cleland.biography.ms