WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Marine Corps' new top general is a veteran of both the jungles of Vietnam and the corridors of Congress, a military man who also happens to be fluent in French and trained in diplomacy. He is Gen. James L. Jones Jr., a 32-year Marine Corps veteran who on Wednesday became its 32nd commandant.
"The Corps is well," he declared simply, indicating he intended no major changes of direction for a service that has fared well during Gen. Charles C. Krulak's four years.In an emotional change-of-command ceremony at the historic Marine Barracks, Defense Secretary William Cohen thanked Krulak for his tenure as commandant. "The epic life of Chuck Krulak is one of brilliance and courage," he said.
Krulak's father is Victor H. "Brute" Krulak, a veteran of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars who rose to the rank of lieutenant general but never held the top Marine post. The younger Krulak, who served two tours in Vietnam, became commandant in July 1995.
Krulak's retirement means there will be no member of his family in the Marines for the first time in 70 years. His son, David, is a lieutenant in the Navy.
Jones, 55, had been Cohen's personal military aide until President Clinton nominated him to be commandant.
Cohen's friendship with Jones began in the early '80s when Cohen was a senator from Maine and Jones was the Marine liaison officer to the Senate. When Cohen became defense secretary in January 1997, he made Jones -- then the Marines' deputy chief of staff for plans -- his senior military assistant.
Jones is a native of Kansas City, Mo.