Hershel W. Gober
Hershel Wayne Gober (born December 21, 1936[2]) is a former government official and Vietnam War veteran. He served as acting United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) two times during the Clinton administration. The first time was from July 1, 1997[3] until January 2, 1998[4] between the resignation of Secretary Jesse Brown and the appointment of Togo D. West, Jr. as Acting Secretary. The second time came on July 25, 2000[1] and lasted until January 20, 2001[2] after the resignation of Secretary West; this time Gober served in the post until the end of the Clinton presidency.
Hershel Wayne Gober | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Acting United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs | |
| In office July 25, 2000[1] – January 20, 2001[2] | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Togo D. West, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Anthony J. Principi |
| In office July 1, 1997[3] – January 2, 1998[4] | |
| Preceded by | Jesse Brown |
| Succeeded by | Togo D. West, Jr. (acting) |
| United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs | |
| In office February 4, 1993[1] – August 10, 2000[5] | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Anthony J. Principi |
| Succeeded by | Leo Mackay, Jr. |
| Director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs | |
| In office January 4, 1988[2] – February 4, 1993[2] | |
| Preceded by | Grady Brown[6] |
| Succeeded by | Nick Bacon[6] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 21, 1936[1][2] Monticello, Arkansas[1][2] |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Lou Keener[1] |
| Alma mater | Alaska Methodist University[1] |
| Profession | Soldier, Public servant |
| Awards | Purple Heart[1] Bronze Star[1] Soldier's Medal[1] |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army[1] United States Marine Corps[1] |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War[1] |
He started out in the VA as Deputy Secretary, serving from February 4, 1993[1] until August 10, 2000.[5] Gober was also Secretary-designate, when Clinton named him on July 31, 1997[7] to replace Jesse Brown. However, the nomination was withdrawn before Senate action began. That happened on October 27 the same year.[7]
During his time as Secretary, Gober headed a delegation that traveled to Vietnam to try to find information about missing veterans there.[8] He also worked to improve health care and create more clinics for veterans.[8]
Before serving in the VA, Gober was Director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs from January 4, 1988[2] to February 4, 1993[2] during President Clinton's time as Governor.[9]
In Vietnam
Gober served two tours in Vietnam.[1] He also worked with an American/Vietnamese team that made Vietnamese songs. Later, in 1969, he was hurt while serving as a company commander.[10]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 US Department of Veterans Affairs. The Honorable Hershel W. Gober Archived 2011-05-18 at the Wayback Machine. July 2000. Accessed 2008-01-15.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 DeArmond-Huskey, Rebecca. Monticello (Drew County). Encyclopedia of Arkansas. 2007-07-03. Accessed 2008-01-15.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Staff reporter. Veterans Affairs Chief Steps Down After Four Years. 1997-06-07. CNN. Accessed 2008-01-15.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 White House (1997-12-02). "President Clinton Names Togo D. West, Jr. As Acting Secretary Of The Department Of Veterans' Affairs". Press release. Archived from the original on 2006-10-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20061005221525/http://clinton6.nara.gov/1997/12/1997-12-02-togo-west-named-acting-secretary-at-veterans-affairs.html. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 US Department of Veterans Affairs (2000-08-10). "Ned Powell Named Acting VA Deputy Secretary". Press release. Archived from the original on 2007-08-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20070818091100/http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=207. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs (2009). "History". Retrieved 2009-06-23.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 U.S. Senate. Chapter 10: Cabinet Nominations Rejected or Withdrawn Accessed 24 December 2007.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Clinton, Bill. Remarks by the President, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Togo West, and Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Hershel Gober Archived 2011-06-08 at the Wayback Machine. July 10, 2000. Accessed 2007-12-25.
- ↑ White House (1997-07-03). "President Clinton Names Hershel Gober as Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs". Press release. Archived from the original on 2001-07-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20010727001047/http://clinton6.nara.gov/1997/07/1997-07-03-president-names-gober-secretary-of-veterans-affairs.html. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7698055.stm Winning hearts and minds in Vietnam
Other websites
- Department of Veterans Affairs biography of Acting Secretary Gober
- Profile at American President: An Online Reference Resource Archived 2007-12-13 at the Wayback Machine
| Preceded by Togo D. West, Jr. |
United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (acting) 2000–2001 1993–1998 |
Succeeded by Anthony Principi |
| Preceded by Jesse Brown |
Succeeded by Togo D. West, Jr. (acting) | |
| Preceded by Anthony Principi |
United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs 1993 – 2000 |
Succeeded by Leo Mackay, Jr. |
| Preceded by Grady Brown |
Director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs 1988 – 1993 |
Succeeded by Nick Bacon |