Introduction
David Bruce Shear (born 1954) served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs from July 2014 to June 2016. Prior to his nomination for this position, he served as United States Ambassador to Vietnam.Shear was also formerly deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs at the U.S. Department of State;he joined the State Department in 1982 and has served in Washington, Tokyo, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur and Sapporo.
Early life and education
Shear is a graduate of Earlham College. He alsohas a master's degree in international affairs from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and was a Rusk Fellow at Georgetown University's Institute for the Study of Diplomacy.
Personal life
Shear is a black belt in kendo. He and his wife Barbara have a daughter. He speaks Chinese and Japanese.