American Diplomat. He was best known for being the most senior American official, serving as the charge d'affaires at the United States embassy in Tehran, Iran, held hostage during the Iran hostage crisis from November of 1979 to January of 1981. During the Second World War, he served in the United States Navy in the South Pacific as a lieutenant. After the war, he graduated from both St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota with a M.A. in International Relations. In 1949, he entered the United States Foreign Service and later served in posts in Germany, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. He was named the United States Ambassador to Malta in 1977 by President Gerald R. Ford and served in this position for two years before being sent back to Iran to serve as the charge d'affaires at the U.S. embassy in Tehran. On November 4, 1979, he, along with two others, were seized at the Iranian Foreign Ministry office and held hostage with 63 other Americans, who had been taken at the embassy. He, along with the other American hostages, were held until January 20, 1981, when they were released. During the hostage ordeal, his wife tied a yellow ribbon around an oak tree at their home. After being released, he went on to serve as Vice President of the National Defense University. He retired from the United States Foreign Service in 1987 after 38 years of service.
American Diplomat. He was best known for being the most senior American official, serving as the charge d'affaires at the United States embassy in Tehran, Iran, held hostage during the Iran hostage crisis from November of 1979 to January of 1981. During the Second World War, he served in the United States Navy in the South Pacific as a lieutenant. After the war, he graduated from both St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota with a M.A. in International Relations. In 1949, he entered the United States Foreign Service and later served in posts in Germany, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. He was named the United States Ambassador to Malta in 1977 by President Gerald R. Ford and served in this position for two years before being sent back to Iran to serve as the charge d'affaires at the U.S. embassy in Tehran. On November 4, 1979, he, along with two others, were seized at the Iranian Foreign Ministry office and held hostage with 63 other Americans, who had been taken at the embassy. He, along with the other American hostages, were held until January 20, 1981, when they were released. During the hostage ordeal, his wife tied a yellow ribbon around an oak tree at their home. After being released, he went on to serve as Vice President of the National Defense University. He retired from the United States Foreign Service in 1987 after 38 years of service.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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