In his 15 years as chairman and chief executive of General Dynamics, David S. Lewis, 67, helped turn the company into one of America's most important defense contractors. The firm builds the Trident nuclear submarine and the sophisticated F-16 fighter aircraft. In recent months, though, General Dynamics has been awash in charges of millions of dollars in overbilling on Government contracts and allegations of fraud. Congress and the Department of the Navy have both launched investigations of company practices. During all the troubles, Lewis firmly maintained that he would not resign under fire, but last week he announced his retirement.
Only...