Jack Keeney
Encyclopedia
John C. "Jack" Keeney" was an American prosecutor
who retired in 2010 as U.S. deputy United States Assistant Attorney General
. At age 88, he was at the time the DOJ
's oldest employee, and one of the longest-serving career employees in the history of the United States government. Keeney spent decades in the United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
, starting in 1951. On numerous occasions, Keeney served as Acting Assistant Attorney General.
Keeney was a pilot in the Army Air Corps
during World War II
, and was held by German forces as a prisoner of war
. Keeney graduated from the University of Scranton
in 1947. He received law degrees from Dickinson School of Law
in 1949 and from George Washington University School of Law in 1953. In 2000, the Justice Department named one of its buildings (1301 New York Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.) after Keeney, an honor rarely bestowed on a living person.
Prosecutor
The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system...
who retired in 2010 as U.S. deputy United States Assistant Attorney General
United States Assistant Attorney General
Many of the divisions and offices of the United States Department of Justice are headed by an Assistant Attorney General.The President of the United States appoints individuals to the position of Assistant Attorney General with the advice and consent of the Senate...
. At age 88, he was at the time the DOJ
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
's oldest employee, and one of the longest-serving career employees in the history of the United States government. Keeney spent decades in the United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
The U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division develops, enforces, and supervises the application of all federal criminal laws in the United States, except those specifically assigned to other divisions. Criminal Division attorneys prosecute many nationally significant cases and formulate and...
, starting in 1951. On numerous occasions, Keeney served as Acting Assistant Attorney General.
Keeney was a pilot in the Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and was held by German forces as a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
. Keeney graduated from the University of Scranton
University of Scranton
The University of Scranton is a private, co-educational Catholic and Jesuit university, located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the northeast region of the state. The school was founded in 1888 by Most Rev. William O'Hara, the first Bishop of Scranton, as St. Thomas College. It was elevated to a...
in 1947. He received law degrees from Dickinson School of Law
Dickinson School of Law
Penn State University Dickinson School of Law is the law school of The Pennsylvania State University...
in 1949 and from George Washington University School of Law in 1953. In 2000, the Justice Department named one of its buildings (1301 New York Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.) after Keeney, an honor rarely bestowed on a living person.