# Piet de Jong

> prime minister of the Netherlands (1915–2016)

**Wikidata**: [Q345481](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q345481)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piet_de_Jong)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/piet-de-jong

## Summary
Piet de Jong was a Dutch naval officer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1967 to 1971. Born in 1915 and passing in 2016, he was a decorated submariner who received multiple international awards for his service during World War II and the Korean War before leading the country's government. His career spanned a significant period of Dutch history, transitioning from military command to high-level political leadership within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

## Biography
- **Born**: April 3, 1915 (Full name: Petrus Jozef Sietze de Jong)
- **Nationality**: Dutch (Citizenship of the Netherlands)
- **Education**: Educated at the Royal Netherlands Naval Institute (Koninklijk Instituut voor de Marine)
- **Known for**: Serving as Prime Minister of the Netherlands and his distinguished career as a naval officer and submariner
- **Employer(s)**: Royal Netherlands Navy, Government of the Netherlands
- **Field(s)**: Politics, Naval Warfare, Government Administration

## Contributions
Piet de Jong's contributions are defined by his leadership in both military and political spheres.
- **Naval Command**: Served as a commissioned naval officer and submariner, commanding vessels during the global conflict of World War II (1939–1945).
- **Korean War Service**: Participated in the Korean War (1950–1953), earning the United Nations Korea Medal for his service in the region.
- **Prime Ministership**: Led the Netherlands as Prime Minister from 1967 to 1971, overseeing the nation's governance during a period of significant social and political change.
- **Political Leadership**: Represented the Catholic People's Party (KVP) in the Dutch parliament and cabinet, contributing to the legislative framework of the Kingdom.

## FAQs
**What was Piet de Jong's primary career path?**
De Jong began his professional life as a naval officer and submariner in the Royal Netherlands Navy, serving during World War II and the Korean War. He later transitioned into politics, eventually rising to become the Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

**Which major conflicts did Piet de Jong serve in?**
He actively served in World War II, where he was recognized for his courage, and later participated in the Korean War as part of the United Nations forces. His military service spanned from the early 1930s through the early 1950s.

**What awards did Piet de Jong receive for his military service?**
He was decorated with the Bronze Cross and the Oorlogsherinneringskruis (War Commemorative Cross) for his actions in World War II. Additionally, he received British honors including the Distinguished Service Cross and the War Medal 1939–1945, as well as the United Nations Korea Medal.

**How long did Piet de Jong live and when did he serve as Prime Minister?**
Piet de Jong lived for 101 years, born on April 3, 1915, and passing away on July 27, 2016. His tenure as Prime Minister of the Netherlands occurred between 1967 and 1971.

## Why They Matter
Piet de Jong represents a bridge between the military history of the Netherlands in the mid-20th century and its post-war political reconstruction. His transition from a decorated submarine commander to the head of government highlights the role of military veterans in shaping Dutch democratic institutions. His leadership during the late 1960s contributed to the stability of the Kingdom of the Netherlands during a time of global social upheaval. Without his service in both the naval and political arenas, the specific historical trajectory of Dutch leadership during the 1960s and 1970s would have been different.

## Notable For
- Serving as the **Prime Minister of the Netherlands** (1967–1971).
- Being a **submariner** and **naval officer** during World War II and the Korean War.
- Receiving the **Bronze Cross** for acts of courage in 1940.
- Being awarded the **Distinguished Service Cross** by the United Kingdom.
- Earning the **United Nations Korea Medal** for service in the Korean conflict.
- Holding the nickname **"Hare Majesteits eigen tuinkabouter"** (Her Majesty's own garden gnome).
- Living to the age of **101** (1915–2016).
- Being a member of the **Catholic People's Party (KVP)**.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Piet de Jong was born Petrus Jozef Sietze de Jong on April 3, 1915. He was a citizen of the Netherlands and a member of the human species, specifically the genus *Homo sapiens*. His full name is recorded in various formats, including P.J.S. de Jong and Petrus Josef Sietse "Piet" de Jong. He was a Dutch national who lived through the entirety of the 20th century and into the 21st, passing away on July 27, 2016.

### Military Career and Service
De Jong's professional life began in 1931 when he entered the naval service. He served as a commissioned officer in the Royal Netherlands Navy, specializing as a submariner. His service spanned two major global conflicts. During World War II (1939–1945), he served in the conflict against Germany, Japan, and their allies. His bravery during this period was recognized with the **Bronze Cross**, a Dutch award for courage established in 1940. He also received the **Oorlogsherinneringskruis**, a Dutch medal founded in 1944 for those who fought against the Axis powers.

His military service extended beyond Europe. De Jong participated in the Korean War, for which he was awarded the **United Nations Korea Medal**. This medal recognized service in the qualifying area, which could include aggregate time spent on official inspections. For his gallantry and service, he was also honored by the United Kingdom with the **Distinguished Service Cross** and the **War Medal 1939–1945**. His work period in the military and related fields is recorded as starting in 1931.

### Political Career
Following his military service, de Jong entered the political arena as a politician. He was a member of the Catholic People's Party (KVP), identified by the archive code `p_j_s_de_jong_kvp`. His political career culminated in his appointment as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. He served in this capacity during the late 1960s and early 1970s, leading the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Kingdom, a transcontinental sovereign state and constitutional monarchy, consists of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. During his tenure, the Kingdom was under the reign of Queen Juliana, who succeeded Wilhelmina and preceded Beatrix.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his life, Piet de Jong received numerous accolades reflecting his dual service to the nation in war and peace.
- **Bronze Cross**: Awarded for courage during World War II.
- **Distinguished Service Cross**: A British medal for an act of gallantry.
- **Oorlogsherinneringskruis**: Awarded for fighting against Germany, Japan, and allies.
- **Ereteken voor Orde en Vrede**: A Dutch honor for Order and Peace.
- **War Medal 1939–1945**: A British campaign medal for WWII service.
- **United Nations Korea Medal**: Awarded for service in the Korean War.

### Legacy and Identifiers
Piet de Jong is remembered as a significant figure in Dutch history. He is associated with the identifier `115353` and has a Wikidata ID of `Q10669499`. His life and work are documented in various library and encyclopedia databases, including the BnF and Treccani. He is the subject of a Wikipedia article titled "Piet de Jong" and has a sitelink count of 43 across different language projects. His image, "Piet de Jong 1970.jpg," is preserved in public archives. He is also known by the affectionate nickname "Hare Majesteits eigen tuinkabouter," which translates to "Her Majesty's own garden gnome."

### Historical Context
De Jong's life coincided with the transformation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Kingdom was founded on March 16, 1815, and its modern structure, granting autonomy to Caribbean constituents, was established on December 15, 1954. De Jong served as Prime Minister during a time when the Kingdom was a member of the United Nations (since 1945), the World Trade Organization, and the Benelux union. His leadership occurred while the Kingdom maintained a constitutional monarchy with the King or Queen as head of state and the Prime Minister as head of government. The country spans both Europe and North America, with a total area of 42,201 square kilometers and a population exceeding 17 million as of 2013 estimates.

## References

1. Source
2. Parlement.com
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4. [Source](http://www.parlement.com/id/vg09ll213ezn/p_j_s_piet_de_jong)
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7. [Source](https://onderscheidingen.nl/decorandi/wo2/dec_j02.html)
8. [Source](https://beeldbank.nimh.nl/foto-s/detail/5e663478-8576-9961-ac6c-63d19f7882dd/media/ef6c98cb-c929-0c0c-1a09-a0742a4baa52)
9. [Source](https://proxy.archieven.nl/2231/73882D78641240D3950537BB8DE1B9E0)
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14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. [Virtual International Authority File](http://viaf.org/viaf/23054238)