De Jong, Piet (Petrus Jozef Sietse De Jong) [key], 1915–2016, Dutch naval officer and political leader. Having entered the royal navy in 1931, he served as a submarine commander in World War II and rose in the navy after the war. He was state secretary for defense (1959–63) and then headed the ministry of defense (1963–67). A member of the Catholic People's party, he served (1967–71) as prime minister and minister of general affairs in a coalition of Christian and conservative parties. He resigned when the coalition lost its majority in general elections. Shortly afterward he was appointed a senator; he retired in from politics in 1974.
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