Barack Obama's final secretary of defense (2015-17)

ASHCARTER

This physicist-turned-Pentagon chief shares a name with a Marvel superhero’s alter ego.

This clue asks for the name of the person who served as U.S. Secretary of Defense under Barack Obama from 2015 to 2017. The answer is "ASHCARTER," combining "Ash" (a nickname for Ashton) and "Carter," the last name of Ashton Carter, who held that role. The clue is straightforward—no wordplay—just a direct reference to a historical figure. If you know Obama’s cabinet, the name should click right away.