Inman, Bobby Ray

Biography

Admiral Bobby Ray Inman (1931–) was born and raised in Rhonesboro, Texas. After graduating from Mineola High School 1946, Inman attended Tyler Junior College. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with his BA in history in 1950. He then entered the Naval Reserve the following year, working his way up through the ranks in naval intelligence to the position of intelligence officer for the Seventh Fleet in the Western Pacific in 1969.

Inman graduated from the National War College in 1972 and became director of Naval Intelligence in 1974. In 1977, Inman became director of the National Security Agency, where he served until March 1981. He was then assigned as deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency and promoted to the rank of admiral, the first naval intelligence specialist to attain the four-star rank. He served as chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board (1991–1993) during George W. Bush's presidency. He also served as technological corporation MCC's first head and chairman of its board of directors.

Inman spoke at the university's LBJ Distinguished Lecture Series in 1984.

Texas 150 Oral History

Admiral Bobby Ray Inman talks about the unusual combination of education and professional experience that led him to become the leader of MCC. He relays his experiences studying at The University of Texas at Austin, serving in the military during the Korean War and ensuing successful career in the U.S. Navy, and new business ventures.