[2] During World War II, he served as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, seeing service in China and Guam.
[2] During the 1968 presidential campaign, Read worked with the Democratic nominee, Vice President Hubert Humphrey.
[2] When Chancellor of Germany Willy Brandt created the German Marshall Fund, he asked Read to become its first president.
[2] After leaving government service, Read dedicated himself to environmental issues.
He was a driving force behind the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.