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{{short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox US Cabinet official

{{Use American English|date=January 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Hershel Gober
|name = Hershel Gober
|image = Gober sm.jpg
|image = Gober sm.jpg
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|term_start = July 25, 2000
|term_start = July 25, 2000
|term_end = January 20, 2001
|term_end = January 20, 2001
|predecessor = [[Togo D. West, Jr.|Togo West]]
|predecessor = [[Togo D. West Jr.|Togo West]]
|successor = [[Anthony Principi]]
|successor = [[Anthony Principi]]
|president1 = [[Bill Clinton]]
|president1 = [[Bill Clinton]]
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|term_end1 = January 2, 1998
|term_end1 = January 2, 1998
|predecessor1 = [[Jesse Brown]]
|predecessor1 = [[Jesse Brown]]
|successor1 = [[Togo D. West, Jr.|Togo West]]
|successor1 = [[Togo D. West Jr.|Togo West]]
|office2 = [[United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]
|office2 = [[United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]
|president2 = [[Bill Clinton]]
|president2 = [[Bill Clinton]]
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|term_end2 = August 10, 2000
|term_end2 = August 10, 2000
|predecessor2 = [[Anthony Principi]]
|predecessor2 = [[Anthony Principi]]
|successor2 = [[Leo Mackay, Jr.|Leo Mackay]]
|successor2 = [[Leo Mackay Jr.|Leo Mackay]]
|office3 = Director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs
|office3 = Director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs
|governor3 = [[Bill Clinton]]<br>[[Jim Guy Tucker|Jim Tucker]]
|governor3 = [[Bill Clinton]]<br>[[Jim Guy Tucker|Jim Tucker]]
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|birth_name = Hershel Wayne Gober
|birth_name = Hershel Wayne Gober
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1936|12|21}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1936|12|21}}
|birth_place = {{nowrap|[[Monticello, Arkansas|Monticello]], [[Arkansas]], [[United States|U.S.]]}}
|birth_place = {{nowrap|[[Monticello, Arkansas]], U.S.}}
|death_date =
|death_date =
|death_place =
|death_place =
|party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|alma_mater = [[Alaska Pacific University]]
|education = [[Alaska Pacific University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
|allegiance = {{flag|United States}}
|allegiance = [[United States of America]]
|branch = {{army|USA}}<br>{{flag|United States Marine Corps}}
|branch = {{army|USA}}<br>{{flag|United States Marine Corps}}
|battles = [[Vietnam War]]
|battles = [[Vietnam War]]
|rank = [[Major (United States)|Major]] (USMC)
|mawards = [[Purple Heart]]<br>[[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]]
|mawards = [[Purple Heart]]<br>[[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]]
}}
}}
'''Hershel Wayne Gober''' (born December 21, 1936)<ref name="Ark">DeArmond-Huskey, Rebecca. [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=878 Monticello (Drew County)]. Encyclopedia of Arkansas. 2007-07-03. Accessed 2008-01-15.</ref> is a former government official and [[Vietnam veteran|Vietnam War veteran]]. He served as acting [[United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs]] (VA) on two occasions during the administration of [[Bill Clinton]]. The first occasion to serve as Acting Secretary was from July 1, 1997<ref name="CNN">Staff reporter. [http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/06/07/clinton.brown/ Veterans Affairs Chief Steps Down After Four Years]. 1997-06-07. CNN. Accessed 2008-01-15. "Veterans Affairs Secretary Jesse Brown plans to leave his post July 1, and President Bill Clinton accepted the resignation Saturday "with deep regret."</ref> until January 2, 1998<ref name="west">{{cite press release |title=President Clinton Names Togo D. West, Jr. As Acting Secretary Of The Department Of Veterans' Affairs |publisher=White House |date= 1997-12-02 |url=http://clinton6.nara.gov/1997/12/1997-12-02-togo-west-named-acting-secretary-at-veterans-affairs.html |language= |accessdate=2008-01-15 |quote=The President today announced the appointment of Togo D. West, Jr., as Acting Secretary of Veterans' Affairs; the appointment will be effective January 2, 1998.}}</ref> between the resignation of Secretary Jesse Brown and the appointment of Togo D. West, Jr. as Acting Secretary. The second time to serve as Acting Secretary came on July 25, 2000<ref name="VABio">US Department of Veterans Affairs. [http://www1.va.gov/pressrel/gober.htm The Honorable Hershel W. Gober]. July 2000. Accessed 2008-01-15.</ref> and lasted until January 20, 2001<ref name="Ark"/> after the resignation of Secretary West; this time Gober served in the post until the end of the Clinton presidency.
'''Hershel Wayne Gober''' (born December 21, 1936<ref name="Ark">{{Cite web | last=DeArmond-Huskey | first=Rebecca | url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=878 | title=Monticello (Drew County) Encyclopedia of Arkansas | date=July 3, 2007 | website=EncyclopediaOfArkansas.net | access-date=January 15, 2008}}</ref>) is a former government official and [[Vietnam veteran|Vietnam War veteran]]. He served as acting [[United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs]] (VA) on two occasions during the administration of [[Bill Clinton]]: first from July 1, 1997,<ref name="CNN">{{Cite web | author=Staff reporter | url=http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/06/07/clinton.brown/ | title=Veterans Affairs Chief Steps Down After Four Years | date=June 7, 1997 | website=CNN.com | publisher=CNN | access-date=January 15, 2008 | quote=Veterans Affairs Secretary Jesse Brown plans to leave his post July 1, and President Bill Clinton accepted the resignation Saturday "with deep regret."}}</ref> until January 2, 1998,<ref name="west">{{cite press release |title=President Clinton Names Togo D. West, Jr. As Acting Secretary Of The Department Of Veterans' Affairs |publisher=White House |date=December 2, 1997 |url=http://clinton6.nara.gov/1997/12/1997-12-02-togo-west-named-acting-secretary-at-veterans-affairs.html |access-date=January 15, 2008 |quote=The President today announced the appointment of Togo D. West, Jr., as Acting Secretary of Veterans' Affairs; the appointment will be effective January 2, 1998. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005221525/http://clinton6.nara.gov/1997/12/1997-12-02-togo-west-named-acting-secretary-at-veterans-affairs.html |archive-date=October 5, 2006 }}</ref> between the resignation of Secretary [[Jesse Brown]] and the appointment of [[Togo D. West Jr.]] as acting secretary, and the second time from July 25, 2000,<ref name="VABio">{{Cite web | publisher=US Department of Veterans Affairs | url=http://www1.va.gov/pressrel/gober.htm | title=The Honorable Hershel W. Gober | date=July 2000 | website=va.gov | access-date=January 15, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518012038/http://www1.va.gov/pressrel/gober.htm | archive-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref> until January 20, 2001,<ref name="Ark"/> after the resignation of Secretary West; this time Gober served in the post until the end of the Clinton presidency.


He started out in the VA as Deputy Secretary, serving from February 4, 1993<ref name="VABio"/> until August 10, 2000.<ref name="powell">{{cite press release |title=Ned Powell Named Acting VA Deputy Secretary |publisher=US Department of Veterans Affairs |date= 2000-08-10 |url=http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=207 |format= |language= |accessdate=2008-01-15 |quote=President Clinton has appointed Edward A. (Ned) Powell, Jr., as the Acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Powell, currently VAs Assistant Secretary for Financial Management, will fill the position held by Hershel W. Gober, who was named Acting VA Secretary.}}</ref> Gober was also briefly Secretary-designate, when Clinton named him on July 31, 1997<ref name=senate>U.S. Senate. [http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Nominations.htm#10 Chapter 10: Cabinet Nominations Rejected or Withdrawn] Accessed December 24, 2007.</ref> to replace [[Jesse Brown]]. However, the nomination was withdrawn before Senate action on October 27 the same year.<ref name=senate/> This happened because of fears nomination hearings for Gober would become heated due to questions about a 1993 claim of sexual misconduct made against him;<ref>Rosenbaum, David E. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E0DE1F3EF936A15753C1A961958260 Clinton Withdraws Nomination For Secretary of Veterans Affairs]. New York Times. 1997-10-25. Accessed 2007-12-25. "In confirmation hearings, the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs intended to explore circumstances surrounding the exoneration of Mr. Gober after he was accused of sexual misconduct in 1993, a Congressional staff member said tonight."</ref> he also wished to stay as Deputy Secretary.<ref>Rosenbaum, David E. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E0DE1F3EF936A15753C1A961958260 Clinton Withdraws Nomination For Secretary of Veterans Affairs]. New York Times. 1997-10-25. Accessed 2007-12-25. "Mr. Gober said he preferred to remain as Deputy Secretary, and Mr. Clinton said he regretted Mr. Gober's decision not to pursue the nomination."</ref>
He started out in the VA as deputy secretary, serving from February 4, 1993,<ref name="VABio"/> until August 10, 2000.<ref name="powell">{{cite press release |title=Ned Powell Named Acting VA Deputy Secretary |publisher=US Department of Veterans Affairs |date=August 10, 2000 |url=http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=207 |access-date=January 15, 2008 |quote=President Clinton has appointed Edward A. (Ned) Powell, Jr., as the Acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Powell, currently VAs Assistant Secretary for Financial Management, will fill the position held by Hershel W. Gober, who was named Acting VA Secretary. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818091100/http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=207 |archive-date=August 18, 2007}}</ref> Gober was also briefly secretary-designate, when Clinton named him on July 31, 1997,<ref name=senate>U.S. Senate. [https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Nominations.htm#10 Chapter 10: Cabinet Nominations Rejected or Withdrawn] Accessed December 24, 2007.</ref> to replace [[Jesse Brown]]. However, the nomination was withdrawn before Senate action on October 27 the same year<ref name=senate/> because of fears that nomination hearings for Gober would become heated due to questions about a 1993 claim of sexual misconduct made against him;<ref>Rosenbaum, David E. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E0DE1F3EF936A15753C1A961958260 Clinton Withdraws Nomination For Secretary of Veterans Affairs]. ''New York Times''. 1997-10-25. Accessed December 25, 2007. "In confirmation hearings, the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs intended to explore circumstances surrounding the exoneration of Mr. Gober after he was accused of sexual misconduct in 1993, a Congressional staff member said tonight."</ref> he also wished to stay as Deputy Secretary.<ref>Rosenbaum, David E. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E0DE1F3EF936A15753C1A961958260 Clinton Withdraws Nomination For Secretary of Veterans Affairs]. ''New York Times''. 1997-10-25. Accessed 2007-12-25. "Mr. Gober said he preferred to remain as Deputy Secretary, and Mr. Clinton said he regretted Mr. Gober's decision not to pursue the nomination."</ref>


During his tenure Gober played an important role in the Clinton (to whom he was a close and longtime aide<ref name="CNN"/>) era VA. He headed a delegation traveled to [[Vietnam]] to seek the fullest possible accounting of missing veterans.<ref name="clinton">Clinton, Bill. [http://clinton6.nara.gov/2000/07/2000-07-10-remarks-by-the-president.html Remarks by the President, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Togo West, and Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Hershel Gober]. July 10, 2000. Accessed 2007-12-25. " A few years ago, I was honored that he agreed to head a delegation back to Vietnam to seek the fullest possible accounting of our men and women still missing in uniform. Hershel has already made his mark on the critical issue of veterans' health care. Early in our administration, he came to me and recommended that we look for ways to bring health care closer to the veterans who needed it. Since then, we've opened more than 200 out-patient clinics all across America and have more planned this year. That's one of the big reasons we were able to treat -- listen to this -- 400,000 more veterans last year than we did the year before."</ref> He was also active in improving health care and expanding clinics for veterans.<ref name="clinton"/>
During his tenure Gober, as a close and longtime aide, played an important role in the Clinton-era VA.<ref name="CNN"/> He headed a delegation that traveled to [[Vietnam]] to seek the fullest possible accounting of missing veterans.<ref name="clinton">{{Cite press release | last=Clinton | first=Bill | url=http://clinton6.nara.gov/2000/07/2000-07-10-remarks-by-the-president.html | title=Remarks by the President, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Togo West, and Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Hershel Gober | website=Clinton6.NARA.gov | date=July 10, 2000 | access-date=December 25, 2007 | quote=A few years ago, I was honored that he agreed to head a delegation back to Vietnam to seek the fullest possible accounting of our men and women still missing in uniform. Hershel has already made his mark on the critical issue of veterans' health care. Early in our administration, he came to me and recommended that we look for ways to bring health care closer to the veterans who needed it. Since then, we've opened more than 200 out-patient clinics all across America and have more planned this year. That's one of the big reasons we were able to treat -- listen to this -- 400,000 more veterans last year than we did the year before. | archive-date=June 8, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608073655/http://clinton6.nara.gov/2000/07/2000-07-10-remarks-by-the-president.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> He was also active in improving health care and expanding clinics for veterans.<ref name="clinton"/>


Before serving in the VA, Gober was director of the [[Arkansas]] Department of Veterans Affairs from January 4, 1988<ref name="Ark"/> to February 4, 1993<ref name="Ark"/> during President Clinton's tenure as governor.<ref name="WH">{{cite press release | title=President Clinton Names Hershel Gober as Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs | publisher=White House |date= 1997-07-03 |url=http://clinton6.nara.gov/1997/07/1997-07-03-president-names-gober-secretary-of-veterans-affairs.html |language= | accessdate=2007-12-25 | quote=Prior to his appointment as Deputy Secretary, he served as State Director of Veterans' Affairs in Arkansas under then-Governor Clinton.}}</ref>
Before serving in the VA, Gober was director of the [[Arkansas]] Department of Veterans Affairs from January 4, 1988,<ref name="Ark"/> to February 4, 1993,<ref name="Ark"/> during Clinton's tenure as governor.<ref name="WH">{{cite press release | title=President Clinton Names Hershel Gober as Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs | publisher=White House | date=July 3, 1997 |url=http://clinton6.nara.gov/1997/07/1997-07-03-president-names-gober-secretary-of-veterans-affairs.html | website=Clinton6.NARA.gov | access-date=December 25, 2007 | quote=Prior to his appointment as Deputy Secretary, he served as State Director of Veterans' Affairs in Arkansas under then-Governor Clinton.}}</ref>


==In Vietnam==
==Military service==
Gober served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1959. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1978, retiring as a Major.
⚫
Gober served two tours in Vietnam.<ref name="VABio"/> In addition to his combat duties, at one point he worked with an American/Vietnamese team that produced songs to help sway Vietnamese public opinion in favor of the American and South Vietnamese causes as and to encourage the leadership in Washington to favor reaching the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people. Later, in 1969, he was wounded while serving as a company commander.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7698055.stm Winning hearts and minds in Vietnam</ref>


===Service in Vietnam===
⚫
In 1970, Gober released a 45 rpm single,"Picture of a Man," which received some airplay on popular music radio stations.<ref>{{cite web
⚫
Gober served two tours in Vietnam.<ref name="VABio"/> In addition to his combat duties, at one point he worked with an American-Vietnamese team that produced songs to help sway Vietnamese public opinion in favor of the American and South Vietnamese causes and to encourage the leadership in Washington to favor reaching the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people. Later, in 1969, he was wounded while serving as a company commander.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7698055.stm Winning hearts and minds in Vietnam]</ref>
⚫
| url = http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/hershel_gober

⚫
| title = Hershel Gober
==Music==
| publisher = {{url| 1 = www.rateyourmusic.com | 2 = Rate your music}}
⚫
In 1970, Gober released a 45&nbsp;rpm single, "Picture of a Man", which received some airplay on popular music radio stations.<ref>{{cite web
| accessdate = {{date|15 apr 2013}}
⚫
|url=http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/hershel_gober
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630050647/http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/hershel_gober
|archive-date=2013-06-30
⚫
|title=Hershel Gober
|website=RateYourMusic.com
|publisher=Rate your music
|access-date=April 15, 2013
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Gober had at least 5 single releases and one album as a recording artist; the first two were as Hershel Almond on Ace and Challenge in 1959. The others were on ABC ("The Proud American", 1966), Tee Pee (1967) and Buddah (1969).<ref>"On That Wisconsin Beat" (MusicGem, 2006)- Gary E. Myers</ref>
Gober had at least five single releases and one album as a recording artist; the first two were as Hershel Almond on Ace and Challenge in 1959. The others were on ABC ("The Proud American", 1966), "Tee Pee" (1967) and "Buddah" (1969).<ref>"On That Wisconsin Beat" (MusicGem, 2006) – Gary E. Myers</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=4877 Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040129181305/http://www.appc1.va.gov/pressrel/gober.htm Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry]
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040129181305/http://www.appc1.va.gov/pressrel/gober.htm |date=January 29, 2004 |title=Department of Veterans Affairs biography of Acting Secretary Gober }}
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040129181305/http://www.appc1.va.gov/pressrel/gober.htm |date=January 29, 2004 |title=Department of Veterans Affairs biography of Acting Secretary Gober }}
*[http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/academic/americanpresident/clinton/essays/cabinet/715 Profile at American President: An Online Reference Resource]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071213134316/http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/academic/americanpresident/clinton/essays/cabinet/715 Profile at American President: An Online Reference Resource]
*[http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf6v19n8cp/dsc/#c01-1.7.7.3.2 Recordings of Gober singing songs in Vietnam] are available in the Edward G. Lansdale collection at the [[Hoover Institution Archives]], [[Stanford University]]
*[http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf6v19n8cp/dsc/#c01-1.7.7.3.2 Recordings of Gober singing songs in Vietnam] are available in the Edward G. Lansdale collection at the [[Hoover Institution Archives]], [[Stanford University]]
* {{C-SPAN|Hershel Gober}}
* {{C-SPAN|85675}}


{{s-start}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Anthony Principi]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Anthony Principi]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]|years=1993–2000}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]|years=1993–2000}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Leo Mackay, Jr.|Leo Mackay]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Leo Mackay Jr.|Leo Mackay]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Jesse Brown]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jesse Brown]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]<br>{{small|Acting}}|years=1997–1998}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]<br>{{small|Acting}}|years=1997–1998}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Togo D. West, Jr.|Togo West]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Togo D. West Jr.|Togo West]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Togo D. West, Jr.|Togo West]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Togo D. West Jr.|Togo West]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]<br>{{small|Acting}}|years=2000–2001}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]<br>{{small|Acting}}|years=2000–2001}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Anthony Principi]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Anthony Principi]]}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gober, Hershel Wayne}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gober, Hershel Wayne}}
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:1936 births]]
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[[Category:American military personnel of the Vietnam War]]
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[[Category:Clinton administration cabinet members]]
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[[Category:20th-century American politicians]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:20th-century American politicians]]
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[[Category:United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War]]
⚫
[[Category:Clinton administration cabinet members]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Arkansas]]
[[Category:People from Drew County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:People from Drew County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Soldier's Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Soldier's Medal]]
[[Category:Rejected or withdrawn nominees to the United States Executive Cabinet]]
[[Category:Rejected or withdrawn nominees to the United States Executive Cabinet]]
[[Category:State cabinet secretaries of Arkansas]]
[[Category:State cabinet secretaries of Arkansas]]
[[Category:United States Department of Veterans Affairs officials]]
[[Category:United States deputy secretaries of veterans affairs]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps officers]]

Latest revision as of 15:11, 28 August 2024

Hershel Gober
United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Acting
In office
July 25, 2000 – January 20, 2001
PresidentBill Clinton
Preceded byTogo West
Succeeded byAnthony Principi
In office
July 1, 1997 – January 2, 1998
PresidentBill Clinton
Preceded byJesse Brown
Succeeded byTogo West
United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs
In office
February 4, 1993 – August 10, 2000
PresidentBill Clinton
Preceded byAnthony Principi
Succeeded byLeo Mackay
Director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs
In office
January 4, 1988 – February 4, 1993
GovernorBill Clinton
Jim Tucker
Preceded byGrady Brown
Succeeded byNick Bacon
Personal details
Born
Hershel Wayne Gober

(1936-12-21) December 21, 1936 (age 87)
Monticello, Arkansas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationAlaska Pacific University (BA)
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch/service United States Army
 United States Marine Corps
RankMajor (USMC)
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsPurple Heart
Bronze Star

Hershel Wayne Gober (born December 21, 1936[1]) is a former government official and Vietnam War veteran. He served as acting United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) on two occasions during the administration of Bill Clinton: first from July 1, 1997,[2] until January 2, 1998,[3] between the resignation of Secretary Jesse Brown and the appointment of Togo D. West Jr. as acting secretary, and the second time from July 25, 2000,[4] until January 20, 2001,[1] after the resignation of Secretary West; this time Gober served in the post until the end of the Clinton presidency.

He started out in the VA as deputy secretary, serving from February 4, 1993,[4] until August 10, 2000.[5] Gober was also briefly secretary-designate, when Clinton named him on July 31, 1997,[6] to replace Jesse Brown. However, the nomination was withdrawn before Senate action on October 27 the same year[6] because of fears that nomination hearings for Gober would become heated due to questions about a 1993 claim of sexual misconduct made against him;[7] he also wished to stay as Deputy Secretary.[8]

During his tenure Gober, as a close and longtime aide, played an important role in the Clinton-era VA.[2] He headed a delegation that traveled to Vietnam to seek the fullest possible accounting of missing veterans.[9] He was also active in improving health care and expanding clinics for veterans.[9]

Before serving in the VA, Gober was director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs from January 4, 1988,[1] to February 4, 1993,[1] during Clinton's tenure as governor.[10]

Military service

[edit]

Gober served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1959. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1978, retiring as a Major.

Service in Vietnam

[edit]

Gober served two tours in Vietnam.[4] In addition to his combat duties, at one point he worked with an American-Vietnamese team that produced songs to help sway Vietnamese public opinion in favor of the American and South Vietnamese causes and to encourage the leadership in Washington to favor reaching the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people. Later, in 1969, he was wounded while serving as a company commander.[11]

Music

[edit]

In 1970, Gober released a 45 rpm single, "Picture of a Man", which received some airplay on popular music radio stations.[12]

Gober had at least five single releases and one album as a recording artist; the first two were as Hershel Almond on Ace and Challenge in 1959. The others were on ABC ("The Proud American", 1966), "Tee Pee" (1967) and "Buddah" (1969).[13]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d DeArmond-Huskey, Rebecca (July 3, 2007). "Monticello (Drew County) Encyclopedia of Arkansas". EncyclopediaOfArkansas.net. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Staff reporter (June 7, 1997). "Veterans Affairs Chief Steps Down After Four Years". CNN.com. CNN. Retrieved January 15, 2008. Veterans Affairs Secretary Jesse Brown plans to leave his post July 1, and President Bill Clinton accepted the resignation Saturday "with deep regret."
  3. ^ "President Clinton Names Togo D. West, Jr. As Acting Secretary Of The Department Of Veterans' Affairs" (Press release). White House. December 2, 1997. Archived from the original on October 5, 2006. Retrieved January 15, 2008. The President today announced the appointment of Togo D. West, Jr., as Acting Secretary of Veterans' Affairs; the appointment will be effective January 2, 1998.
  4. ^ a b c "The Honorable Hershel W. Gober". va.gov. US Department of Veterans Affairs. July 2000. Archived from the original on May 18, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  5. ^ "Ned Powell Named Acting VA Deputy Secretary" (Press release). US Department of Veterans Affairs. August 10, 2000. Archived from the original on August 18, 2007. Retrieved January 15, 2008. President Clinton has appointed Edward A. (Ned) Powell, Jr., as the Acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Powell, currently VAs Assistant Secretary for Financial Management, will fill the position held by Hershel W. Gober, who was named Acting VA Secretary.
  6. ^ a b U.S. Senate. Chapter 10: Cabinet Nominations Rejected or Withdrawn Accessed December 24, 2007.
  7. ^ Rosenbaum, David E. Clinton Withdraws Nomination For Secretary of Veterans Affairs. New York Times. 1997-10-25. Accessed December 25, 2007. "In confirmation hearings, the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs intended to explore circumstances surrounding the exoneration of Mr. Gober after he was accused of sexual misconduct in 1993, a Congressional staff member said tonight."
  8. ^ Rosenbaum, David E. Clinton Withdraws Nomination For Secretary of Veterans Affairs. New York Times. 1997-10-25. Accessed 2007-12-25. "Mr. Gober said he preferred to remain as Deputy Secretary, and Mr. Clinton said he regretted Mr. Gober's decision not to pursue the nomination."
  9. ^ a b Clinton, Bill (July 10, 2000). "Remarks by the President, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Togo West, and Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Hershel Gober". Clinton6.NARA.gov (Press release). Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2007. A few years ago, I was honored that he agreed to head a delegation back to Vietnam to seek the fullest possible accounting of our men and women still missing in uniform. Hershel has already made his mark on the critical issue of veterans' health care. Early in our administration, he came to me and recommended that we look for ways to bring health care closer to the veterans who needed it. Since then, we've opened more than 200 out-patient clinics all across America and have more planned this year. That's one of the big reasons we were able to treat -- listen to this -- 400,000 more veterans last year than we did the year before.
  10. ^ "President Clinton Names Hershel Gober as Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs". Clinton6.NARA.gov (Press release). White House. July 3, 1997. Retrieved December 25, 2007. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Secretary, he served as State Director of Veterans' Affairs in Arkansas under then-Governor Clinton.
  11. ^ Winning hearts and minds in Vietnam
  12. ^ "Hershel Gober". RateYourMusic.com. Rate your music. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  13. ^ "On That Wisconsin Beat" (MusicGem, 2006) – Gary E. Myers
[edit]
Political offices
Preceded by United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs
1993–2000 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Acting
1997–1998 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Acting
2000–2001 		Succeeded by
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