Piet de Jong

Petrus Jozef Sietze "Piet" de Jong (known as 'Oom Piet', or 'Uncle Piet') (born 3 April 1915) is a retired Dutch politician. He was prime minister of the Netherlands from 1967 until 1971. He was also a member of the catholic KVP party.

Early years and service

De Jong was born in Apeldoorn and graduated from the Royal Netherlands Naval College in 1934 after which he served as a naval officer. During World War II he commanded the Dutch submarine 'Hr. Ms. 0-24'. In 1947 he joined the Naval Staff. In 1951 and 1952 he commanded the frigate 'Hr. Ms. De Zeeuw'. He then joined the 'Allied Commander-in-Chief Channel' in Portsmouth. In 1955 he was appointed acting chief of staff of the Navy Inspector-General, Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld, and Aide-de-camp of the latter's wife Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. In 1958 he commanded the destroyer 'Hr. Ms. Gelderland'.

Prime minister

He became involved in politics in 1959, being appointed deputy minister of defence. In 1963 he became minister of defence and in 1967 he became prime minister.