The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs recently announced the appointment of William J. Deveraux to serve as the Director of Veterans Programs for New Jersey.  The highly decorated combat veteran of Vietnam and resident of Camden County will be responsible for managing the 15 Veterans Services Offices located throughout the state and for providing outreach on the latest information regarding benefits and entitlements to the state's estimated 650,000 veterans.

     Shortly after assuming his new duties, Devereaux stated his goals and objectives, “ I'm extremely passionate about my responsibility to help every veteran in New Jersey receive every benefit, entitlement, and recognition which they have so justly earned by virtue of their patriotic service to both our state and country. “  

     After his retirement from the private sector and a career in health services, Devereaux served for 4 years as a Veterans Service officer in Camden County.  Now, as the Director of Veterans Programs for the entire state, he must face the challenge of serving the needs of one of the largest veterans populations in the country.  

     “By working closely with the commanders and representatives of the state's 36 plus chartered veterans organizations as well as the tens of thousands of individual veterans and family members not affiliated with any veterans group or organization, I hope to address the issues and concerns of a constituency that is both aging and changing.”

     “Our nation's current involvement in the ongoing global war against terrorism and our military's involvement in so many new Homeland Security missions is producing a whole new generation of veterans.  It's part of my job to address the concerns and needs of these “new “veterans and their families as well.”

     Devereaux, and his wife for the past 36 years, Charlotte, have two sons: Mark and Brian.   He received his BS in Marketing from Tennessee Tech in 1967 and an MBA from N. Carolina State 1971.  His military service from May of 1967 through May of 1970 included assignments in Artillery, Military Intelligence, and as a Paratrooper with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions.  Mr. Devereaux served a full tour of duty in Viet Nam with the 101st Airborne Division attached from the 3 rd Brigade of the 82 nd Airborne Division during the Tet Offensive in 1968.

     Among the military awards and decorations he received were the Purple Heart (two awards), Bronze Star Medal (two awards - one with the “V” device for valor; one for meritorious service; Army Commendation medal; two Presidential Unit Citations; National Defense Medal; Soldiers Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm; Vietnam Civil Action award; Airborne Wings; Expert Rifle badge; NATO Award; the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal; the New Jersey Vietnam Service Medal; and the Camden County Service Medal.