J. William Middendorf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
J. William Middendorf
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Middendorf in 1969
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| United States Ambassador to the European Union | |
| In office July 12, 1985 – February 1, 1987 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | George S. Vest |
| Succeeded by | Alfred H. Kingon |
| 10th United States Ambassador to the Organization of American States | |
| In office July 1, 1981 – June 20, 1985 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Gale W. McGee |
| Succeeded by | Richard T. McCormack |
| 62nd United States Secretary of the Navy | |
| In office April 8, 1974 – January 20, 1977 |
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| President | Richard Nixon Gerald Ford |
| Preceded by | John Warner |
| Succeeded by | W. Graham Claytor Jr. |
| United States Ambassador to the Netherlands | |
| In office July 9, 1969 – June 10, 1973 |
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| President | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | William R. Tyler |
| Succeeded by | Kingdon Gould Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John William Middendorf II
September 22, 1924 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | College of the Holy Cross (BNS) Harvard University (BA) New York University (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
John William Middendorf II, born on September 22, 1924, is an American diplomat who held important government jobs. He was the 62nd Secretary of the Navy from 1974 to 1977. He also served as the United States Ambassador to the European Union from 1985 to 1987. Mr. Middendorf has written many books and articles about politics, safety, and history.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
John William Middendorf II was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in Charleston, Maryland. He went to Charleston Normal School and Gilman School. Later, he attended Middlesex School, where he was part of the rowing team. He finished school in 1943. He was 17 years old when the attack on Pearl Harbor happened, which brought the United States into World War II.
Education and Military Service
Middendorf earned a Bachelor of Naval Science degree from the College of the Holy Cross in 1945. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. He worked as an engineer and navigator on a ship called USS LCS(L) 53. He left the Navy in 1946.
He then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1947. He was a member of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals and the Owl Club there. In 1954, he received an MBA degree from New York University's Graduate School of Business Administration.
Starting His Career
From Banking to Politics
After college, John Middendorf became an investment banker. In 1963, he started his own company, Middendorf, Colgate and Company, with Austen Colgate. This company even had a spot on the New York Stock Exchange.
He was an early supporter of Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign in 1964. He worked as the treasurer for that campaign. He continued these duties for the Republican National Committee from 1965 to 1969.
Serving in Government
In 1969, President Richard Nixon chose Middendorf to be the United States Ambassador to the Netherlands. He served in this role until June 1973.
After returning to the U.S., he became the Under Secretary of the Navy. When the Secretary of the Navy, John Warner, left his job, Middendorf was expected to be promoted. However, the Secretary of Defense, James Schlesinger, had a different person in mind. Middendorf then spoke with many senators he knew from his time as Republican Party Treasurer. Soon after, he was nominated and confirmed as the United States Secretary of the Navy. He served until President Gerald Ford's time in office ended. He once wrote, "Life is relationships. Politics is compromise."
During his time as Secretary of the Navy, Middendorf used his connections in Congress. He helped increase the Navy's budget by 60 percent. Meanwhile, the budgets for the U.S. Army and Air Force stayed about the same.
He strongly supported several important Navy programs:
- The Ohio-class submarine and its Trident missile.
- The Aegis Combat System, a missile defense system. This became the Navy's longest-running construction program. By 2009, 100 Aegis-equipped ships were delivered to the U.S. Navy. This system is also used by five allied navies.
- The F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet for aircraft carriers. Middendorf arranged for it to be named "Hornet." This was a tribute to his ancestor, Captain William Stone, who donated two ships to the early U.S. Navy during the Revolutionary War. Those ships were named "Wasp" and "Hornet."
When Jimmy Carter became President, he asked Middendorf to stay on as Secretary of the Navy. However, Middendorf decided to return to the private sector. He became the President and CEO of Financial General Bankshares, which he later renamed First American Bank.
In 1980, he led the team that helped President Ronald Reagan's administration take over the CIA. Then, he was named the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS). He held this position until 1984. After that, he became the U.S. Representative to the European Community, which is now known as the European Union. He served there until 1987.
Other Interests and Activities
Author and Composer
In 2006, Middendorf published a book called Glorious Disaster: Barry Goldwater's Presidential Campaign and the Origins of the Conservative Movement. This book describes how Goldwater's campaign helped start the modern Conservative movement.
In 2011, he published his autobiography, Potomac Fever.
He is also a talented composer. He has written symphonies, including the Holland Symphony, which was given to Queen Juliana of the Netherlands on her 25th anniversary as queen. He has also composed 100 marches for ships of the U.S. Navy.
Board Memberships
Ambassador Middendorf is a member of the board of directors for the International Republican Institute. He is also on the board of trustees for The Heritage Foundation, an important research group in Washington, D.C..
He is a member of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Revolution and the Naval Order of the United States.
Middendorf also studied stained glass production with an expert named Joep Nicolas. He is on the board of the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture.
Family Life
John Middendorf was married to Isabelle Paine Middendorf. They had a daughter named Frances and a son named John.
Awards and Recognition
Awards from the U.S.
- Superior Honor Award, U.S. Department of State, 1974
- Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, 1975; and a second award in 1976
- Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, 1976
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- Navy Occupation Medal with "ASIA" clasp
- China Service Medal
Awards from Other Countries
- Grand Officer of Order of Orange-Nassau, The Netherlands, 1985
- Order of the Arab Republic of Egypt – Rank A (highest foreign award) from President Sadat
- Grand Officer of the Order of Naval Merit – Republic of Brazil, 1974
- Naval Distinguished Service Medal, Brazil, 1976
Other Special Awards
Middendorf received the "Edwin Franko Goldman Award" from the American Bandmasters Association. He is also a member of the American Society of Composers and Performers (ASCAP).
Other honors include:
- Hudson River Museum Honoree, 2009
- Maritime Security Lifetime Excellence Award, 2002
- Arleigh Burke Award – Navy League of the United States, 1998
- Ludwig von Mises Free Market Award – 1985
- Distinguished Service Award, Purdue University Band
- Gold Medal, The Netherlands Society of the Sons of American Revolution
- Medal of Honor, Midwest National Band and Orchestra Association
- Alumnus of the Year, New York University Graduate School of Business
- Association of Harvard Clubs of American Award (Music) (Keogh Award)
- NYU Eugene Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service (1989)
- American Friends of Turkey Leadership Award, 1989
- Presidential Physical Fitness Award, 1990
- Distinguished Patriot Award, SAR of State of New York, 1975
- Award of Merit, Art League of Virginia (Portrait of Del), 1996
- U.S. Olympic Committee Gold Shield Award
- Gold Medal, Holland Society of New York, 1996
- American Bandmasters Association Edwin Franko Goldman Award
- American Music Award, Harvard Clubs
Honorary Degrees
- Troy State University – Doctor of Law
- School of the Ozarks – Doctor of Letters
- American Christian College – Doctor of Letters
- Francisco Marroquin University – Doctor of Social Sciences
