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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 24, 1996

          PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES GENERAL BARRY R. MCCAFFREY 
               DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY

The President announced last night his intent to nominate General Barry R. McCaffrey as Director of National Drug Control Policy.

General Barry R. McCaffrey of Washington is Commander in Chief of the United States Southern Command of the United States Army, a position he assumed in February of 1994. Previously, General McCaffrey served as Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Staff, from 1993 to 1994, and as Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1992 to 1993. From 1990 to 1992, General McCaffrey commanded the 24th Infantry Division, which he deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1990. He led the Division on combat operations during Operation Desert Storm, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. From 1989 to 1990, General McCaffrey served as Director for Strategy, Plans, Policy and Joint Affairs for the Department of the Army. He served as the Deputy U.S. Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee from 1988 to 1989. He has also taught American Government, National Security Studies and Comparative Politics at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

General McCaffrey has been decorated for valor twice with the Distinguished Service Cross - our nation's second highest award for valor in combat - twice with the Silver Star, three times with the Bronze Star, and was three times awarded with the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. He is the most highly decorated Army General on active duty.

General McCaffrey received the NAACP Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award in 1991, and the U.S. Department of State's Superior Honor Award in 1992. He is a 1964 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, and earned a Master of Arts degree in civil government from American University.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) was established in 1988 and is organized within the Executive Office of the President. ONDCP's mission is to develop and coordinate the policies, goals and objectives of the nation's drug control program for reducing the use of illicit drugs. The ONDCP Director is the Administration's primary spokesperson for drug issues, and develops and coordinates the National Drug Control Strategy.

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