David Manker Abshire facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Manker Abshire
United States Ambassador to NATO
In office July 13, 1983 – January 5, 1987
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	William Tapley Bennett Jr.
Succeeded by	Alton G. Keel Jr.
United States Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs
In office April 20, 1970 – January 8, 1973
President	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	William B. Macomber Jr.
Succeeded by	Marshall Wright
Personal details
Born	David Manker Abshire (1926-04-11)April 11, 1926 Chattanooga, Tennessee
Died	October 31, 2014(2014-10-31) (aged 88) Alexandria, Virginia
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Carolyn Lamar Sample
Education	U.S. Military Academy (B.S.) Georgetown University (Ph.D.)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1951–1955
Battles/wars	Korean War
Awards	Bronze Star Medal

David Manker Abshire (April 11, 1926 – October 31, 2014) was an important American leader. He worked as a special advisor to President Ronald Reagan. He also served as the U.S. Ambassador to NATO from 1983 to 1987. Abshire led the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.

He was a member of the Republican party. David Abshire also wrote several books. His last book, A Call to Greatness, came out in 2008. He was married and had five children.

About David Abshire

Early Life and Learning

David Abshire was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on April 11, 1926. He went to The Bright School and then Baylor School in Chattanooga.

He later graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1951. After that, he earned his Ph.D. in History from Georgetown University in 1959. For many years, he taught at Georgetown's School of Foreign Service. He also advised the Naval War College.

Military Service

Abshire was a soldier in the United States Army. He fought in the Korean War from 1951 to 1955. During the war, he was a platoon leader and a company commander. He received several awards for his bravery. These included the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Working in Government

In 1962, David Abshire helped start the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). This group studies important world issues. Later, he helped CSIS grow by adding input from Asia.

From 1970 to 1973, he worked as the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional Relations. This meant he helped connect the State Department with Congress. He also led the U.S. Board of International Broadcasting from 1975 to 1977.

When Ronald Reagan became president in 1980, Abshire was asked to lead the National Security Group. This group included important agencies like the State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency.

Ambassador to NATO

From 1983 to 1987, Abshire was the U.S. Ambassador to NATO. NATO is a group of countries that work together for defense. During his time, he helped manage the placement of missiles in Europe. This was a response to a threat from the Soviet Union. For his hard work, he received the Distinguished Public Service Medal.

Special Advisor to President Reagan

David Abshire was called back to serve as a special advisor to President Reagan. This happened during the Iran–Contra affair. His job was to make sure the sale of arms to Iran was fully investigated. This helped to bring back trust in the president's leadership.

Awards and Honors

David Abshire received many awards for his service. These honors came from universities and different countries. Some of his notable awards include:

• The John Carroll Award from Georgetown University.
• The Distinguished Graduate Award from the U.S. Military Academy.
• The Gold Medal of the Sons of the American Revolution.
• The Order of the Crown (Belgium).
• The Order of Leopold (Belgium).
• The Medal of the Presidency of the Italian Republic.
• The Order of Diplomatic Service Merit (Korea).
• The Order of the Lion of Finland.
• The Order of the Liberator General San Martin (Argentina).
• The Order of the Sacred Treasure (Japan).
• The Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.
• The Presidential Citizens Medal, given by President Ronald Reagan in 1989.

Personal Life and Death

David Abshire was married to Carolyn Lamar Sample for 56 years. They had four daughters: Anna, Mary Lee, Phyllis, and Caroline. They also had one son, Lupton. He had 11 grandchildren.

David Abshire passed away on October 31, 2014. He died from a lung condition called pulmonary fibrosis in Alexandria, Virginia.

Books Written by David Abshire

David Abshire wrote several books about politics and world affairs:

• National Security: Political, Military, and Economic Strategies in the Decade Ahead (1963)
• The South Rejects a Prophet: The Life of Senator D. M. Key, 1824–1900 (1967)
• International Broadcasting: A New Dimension of Western Diplomacy (1976)
• Foreign Policy Makers: President vs. Congress (1979)
• Preventing World War III: A Realistic Grand Strategy (1988)
• Putting America's House in Order: The Nation as a Family (1996)
• Saving the Reagan Presidency: Trust Is the Coin of the Realm (2005)
• A Call to Greatness: Challenging Our Next President (2008)