Amb. Paul H. Nitze, R.I.P.

A short bio of Ambassador Nitze compiled from the websites of the Navy and John Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

"SAIS mourns the loss of the school's co-founder Paul H. Nitze, who passed away at his home the evening of Tuesday, October 19. He was 97."

"Nitze joined the U.S. government in 1940 and advised every president from Franklin Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan, with the exception of Jimmy Carter." (Hmmmm.)

"For more than forty years, Nitze was one of the chief architects of U.S. policy toward the Soviet Union. President Reagan awarded Nitze the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985 for his contributions to the freedom and security of the United States."

"Nitze was responsible for the formulation of NSC 68-the document which provided the framework for the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union."

"During the period 1944-1946, Nitze served as director and then as vice chairman of the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey for which President Truman awarded him the Medal of Merit."

The following is list of just some of the positions Amb. Nitze held during his 40+ year service to the U.S.government:

*Secretary of the Navy

*Board of Economic Warfare

*Director of the Foreign Procurement and Development Branch of the Foreign Economic Administration

*Deputy Director of the Office of International Trade Policy

*Deputy Director and then Director of the State Department's policy planning staff

*Deputy Secretary of Defense

*Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Affairs

And a tribute from the Navy:

"On January 10, 2001, the U.S. Navy named the 44th ship of the Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers in honor of Nitze. The USS NITZE, currently under construction, is scheduled to be commissioned in March 2005."


Rest in peace Ambassador. Your country thanks you.