Phil Jones, a CBS News correspondent for more than 30 years, has died. He was 87.
Jones died over the weekend at his home in Florida. He is survived by a son, Paul, and a daughter, Pam.
The tenacious reporter joined CBS News in 1967 — a time when Walter Cronkite anchored the CBS Evening News. Jones was considered one of “Cronkite’s children”. Shortly after joining CBS, Jones won an Emmy for his coverage of the Vietnam War.
Jones was best known for reporting on the political battles in Washington. He started with Watergate and then served as White House correspondent during the Ford administration. Jones also covered the impeachment trial of then-President Bill Clinton.
He was a stubborn reporter who followed a story wherever it led. As a “48 Hours” correspondent, Jones rode a mule through Burma in pursuit of a drug kingpin.
Colleague Eric Engberg described Jones’ impact when he retired in 2001 after 32 years at CBS News.
“Every lying, cheating, thieving, sniveling politician in Washington will sleep better when you’re gone,” Engberg said at the time.