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J. William Middendorf II
American diplomat (1924–2025)
John William Middendorf II (September 22, 1924 – October 24, 2025) was an American diplomat who was the 62nd Secretary of the Navy from 1974 to 1977 and the United States Ambassador to the European Communities from 1985 to 1987. He wrote books and articles on politics, security, and history.2
From Wikipedia’s article on J. William Middendorf II (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.
Born Sep 22, 1924, died Oct 24, 2025.1
Companies
- The Heritage FoundationBoard member11
Early life and education
- Date not recordedHarvard University3
- Date not recordedStern School of Business3
- Date not recordedCollege of the Holy Cross3
- Date not recordedHarvard College3
- Date not recordedNew York University3
Early life
John William Middendorf II was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 22, 1924. He attended Gilman School and Middlesex School, where he was on the rowing team. He graduated in 1943. He was 17 when the attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II.
Education and military service
Middendorf received a Bachelor of Naval Science (BNS) degree from the College of the Holy Cross in 1945. In World War II, he served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 as engineer officer and navigator aboard USS LCS(L) 53. He was discharged from the Navy in 1946.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1947, where he was a member of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals and the Owl Club. He also graduated from New York University's Graduate School of Business Administration, receiving an MBA degree in 1954.
From Wikipedia’s article on J. William Middendorf II (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.
Career
Occupation: politician, diplomat, writer, composer.6
- 1985 to 1987United States Ambassador to the European Union5
- 1981 to 1985United States Ambassador to the Organization of American States5
- 1974 to 1977United States Secretary of the Navy5
- 1973 to 1974Under Secretary of the Navy5
- 1969 to 1973United States Ambassador to the Netherlands5
- Date not recordedBoard member, The Heritage Foundation4
Middendorf became an investment banker and in 1963 in partnership with Austen Colgate formed his own company, Middendorf, Colgate and Company (with a seat on the New York Stock Exchange). An early member of Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign, he served as treasurer of that campaign, and continued to have the same duties with the Republican National Committee from 1965 to 1969.
From Wikipedia’s article on J. William Middendorf II (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.
Personal life
Middendorf married Isabelle Paine. They had a daughter, Frances, and a son, John. He died in Fall River, Massachusetts, on October 24, 2025, at the age of 101.
From Wikipedia’s article on J. William Middendorf II (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.
Links
Sources
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