[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 183 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S7063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING COLONEL JEFFREY B. JONES

  Mr. REED. Madam President, today I honor one of the most dedicated, 
selfless, and accomplished leaders I have known, my late classmate, COL 
Jeff Jones.
  Jeff passed away in 2010 after a heroic battle with brain cancer, but 
his legacy will be engraved in steel this November when the Army names 
its new Psychological Operations Headquarters Building in Fort Bragg, 
NC, for him. Colonel Jones dedicated his life and career to our 
national defense, and this tribute could not be more fitting.
  Jeff and I were classmates at West Point. When you first met Jeff, 
you knew he had special talents. While my other classmates and I were 
struggling just to pass inspection, Jeff was leading rifle drill and 
ceremony to perfection, honed by his years of military academy 
upbringing in Georgia. He was a natural, inspiring leader, and we all 
looked up to him. As cadets and later as officers, Jeff exemplified 
everything we strived to be as members of the Long Grey Line, always 
representing what was best and most noble about West Point, the Army, 
and America. He was the epitome of ``Duty, Honor, Country.''
  We graduated together in 1971, and Jeff began his career as an 
infantry officer in the 509th Airborne in Germany, where he climbed the 
Matterhorn and trained with British and French airborne troops. He 
later commanded an infantry company at Fort Ord, CA, and met his 
wonderful wife Pamela along the way. His career moved swiftly, serving 
as aide-de-camp to some of the top generals of the day and earning 
advanced degrees from prestigious institutions. Presciently, while 
serving on the staff of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for 
International Security Affairs, he authored the study recommending the 
creation of U.S. Central Command.
  Jeff also embarked on several international tours, including with the 
U.N. Truce Supervision Organization in Lebanon following the Beirut 
bombings and working with the U.S.-Soviet Nuclear Arms Control and 
Space Negotiations in Geneva in the 1980s.
  He especially imparted his leadership through his command of the 8th 
Psychological Operations Battalion and later the 4th PSYOP Group, both 
at Fort Bragg. Under his command, military and civilian teams deployed 
across more than 60 countries on six continents, gathering key 
intelligence throughout peacetime, crisis, war, humanitarian, refugee, 
and counterdrug operations.
  Jeff finally retired from Active Duty in 2001, after his final 
assignment as a defense attache in Paris, but his retirement was short-
lived as 9/11 struck just months later. He was requested to serve on 
the NSC in a civilian capacity in the Office of Combating Terrorism and 
subsequently in the Defense Policy and Arms Control Directorate, and he 
served with distinction.
  In 2006, Jeff was diagnosed with brain cancer. He battled for years, 
even as he continued to work and contribute to our national security. 
With Pam by his side, he passed away in 2010 and was posthumously 
inducted into the Special Operations Command's Commando Hall of Honor 
in 2013.
  Jeff had a quiet, fearless strength that was powerful when you were 
in his presence. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have served 
alongside him and to have learned from his intellect, skill, character, 
and his love and devotion to Pam. And I am proud to have known him as 
my friend.
  The Army's new ``Colonel Jeffrey Jones Psychological Operations 
Headquarters'' bears the name of a great man, and I know great things 
will be achieved there.
  I am proud to honor the legacy of Colonel Jones, and I know the 
Members of the Senate will join me in recognizing the incredible 
contributions he made for our Nation.

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