WASHINGTON – President George W. Bush announced his nomination of Gordon H. Mansfield as the deputy secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“Mr. Mansfield will bring to this position a wealth of experience as a leader, both in and outside VA, and a proven track record as a tireless veterans advocate,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. “He will use his knowledge and skills to work tirelessly for veterans.”
The deputy secretary, VA’s second-highest post, oversees the day-to-day operations of the department, which has a budget of nearly $60 billion and 224,000 employees.
Mansfield has served as VA’s assistant secretary for congressional and legislative affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs since August 2001.
Before coming to VA, Mansfield served as executive director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) since April 1993. In that position, he oversaw the daily operation of PVA’s national office in Washington, D.C. He held a number of positions at PVA from 1981 to 1989, and served as the organization’s first associate executive director of government relations.
He was an assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity at the Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1989 to 1993. He practiced law in Ocala, Fla., until 1981.
Mansfield received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University and law degree from the University of Miami. Following his 1964 enlistment in the Army, he served two tours of duty in Vietnam.
While serving as company commander with the 101st Airborne Division during his second tour, he received a spinal cord injury during combat operations in the Tet offensive of 1968. His combat decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Mansfield is a recipient of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award and the Villanova University Alumni Human Relations Medal. He was inducted into the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 1997.
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