News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci
(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: DOD News Release

Date: May 22, 1998

No. 259-98

ROBERT L. JONES NAMED DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
FOR POW/MISSING PERSONNEL AFFAIRS

Robert L. Jones has assumed the office of deputy assistant secretary of defense for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs. He was appointed to his new position earlier this month by Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen.

Jones is responsible for leading the Department of Defense worldwide commitment to the fullest possible accounting of Americans missing from all conflicts. This mission includes the rescue of individuals who fall in harm's way as a result of combat.

Prior to his appointment he was the special assistant to the assistant secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs. He came to the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1993 after serving as the national executive director of AMVETS, the nation's fourth largest congressionally chartered veterans service organization.

Jones is a combat veteran of the conflict in Vietnam, having served two tours there and earning numerous decorations and awards. He is a special disabled veteran. He served in the Army as both an enlisted man and an officer including assignments in infantry, airborne, ranger and special forces units. He was a ground liaison officer with the Air Force's 50th Tactical Fighter Wing and has flown approximately 200 hours in the F-4 Phantom aircraft.

Jones was born in Decatur, Ill.