Piet de Jong

Who is Piet de Jong?

Petrus Jozef Sietse "Piet" de Jong is a retired Dutch politician of the defunct Catholic People's Party now merged into the Christian Democratic Appeal. He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from April 5, 1967 until July 6, 1971.

A veteran naval officer of World War II. De Jong graduated from the Royal Netherlands Naval College in 1934 and joined the Royal Netherlands Navy Submarine Service and served on HNLMS O 24 during World War II, he ended the war as the commanding officer of that vessel, the HNLMS O 24 was one of the few Dutch submarines that survived World War II. During his service in World War II he was awarded the Bronze Cross twice, the first time in 1940 and for the second time in 1943, De Jong was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross of the United Kingdom for his services and leadership during World War II.

After World War II De Jong continued to serve in the Royal Netherlands Navy, commanding two frigates and serving as chief of staff to Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld and aide-de-camp to Queen Juliana. De Jong eventually rose to the rank of Captain but retired from active service a year later when he was asked by the Catholic People's Party to serve on their behalf as State Secretary for Defence dealing with matters of the Royal Netherlands Navy.