FACTBOX: James Jones, new Mideast security envoy

(Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday named retired Marine Gen. James Jones as her special envoy for Middle East security, focusing on Palestinian and Israeli security issues.

Following are some facts about Jones.

* Jones, the former head of U.S. and NATO forces in Europe, is a decorated Vietnam War veteran with a 40-year military career.

* Jones attended Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and was commissioned into the Marine Corps in January 1967, served in Vietnam as a platoon and company commander and was promoted to first lieutenant.

* Jones was assigned as deputy director, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany, in July 1992, and later reassigned as chief of staff, Joint Task Force Provide Promise, for operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia.

* He returned to the United States as a major general in July 1994, and was assigned as commanding general, 2nd Marine Division, Marine Forces Atlantic.

* After leading the U.S. Marine Corps from 1999 to 2003, he was NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe and commander of the United States European Command until 2006. He retired from the Marines last year.

* He is president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for 21st Century Energy.

Sources: Reuters, North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

(Writing by Paul Grant, Editing by Jackie Frank; Washington Editorial Reference Unit)