Robert B. Oakley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert B. Oakley
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Robert Oakley in Somalia in 1993
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| 19th U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan | |
| In office 18 August 1988 – 29 August 1991 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Arnold Lewis Raphel |
| Succeeded by | Nicholas Platt |
| U.S. Ambassador to Somalia | |
| In office 30 September 1982 – 12 August 1984 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Donald K. Petterson |
| Succeeded by | Peter Bridges |
| U.S. Ambassador to Zaire | |
| In office 6 November 1979 – 22 August 1982 |
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| President | Jimmy Carter Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Walter L. Cutler |
| Succeeded by | Peter Dalton Constable |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Bigger Oakley
March 12, 1931 Dallas, Texas, United States |
| Died | December 10, 2014 (aged 83) McLean, Virginia, United States |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Phyllis E. Oakley
(m. 1958–2014) |
| Alma mater | South Kent School, Princeton University |
Robert Bigger Oakley (born March 12, 1931 – died December 10, 2014) was an American diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. He worked for the United States for 34 years, from 1957 to 1991. During this time, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Somalia, and Pakistan. Later, in the early 1990s, he was a special helper for the U.S. during its involvement in Somalia.
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Robert Oakley's Early Career
Robert Oakley was born in Dallas, Texas. He finished school at South Kent School in Connecticut in 1948. Before becoming a diplomat, he spent four years working as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy.
In 1957, he joined the Foreign Service. This is a group of people who work for the U.S. government in other countries. His first assignment was in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, in 1958.
Working Around the World
Oakley worked in many different places during his career. He served in U.S. embassies in cities like Abidjan, Saigon, Paris, and Beirut. He also worked at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. This is where the U.S. works with other countries on global issues.
He also served on the staff of the National Security Council. This group advises the President on important national security and foreign policy matters.
Becoming an Ambassador
In February 1977, Robert Oakley became a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs. This role involved helping to manage U.S. relations with countries in that region.
He then became a U.S. Ambassador to different countries:
- In November 1979, he became the U.S. Ambassador to Zaire.
- In August 1982, he became the U.S. Ambassador to Somalia.
In September 1984, he was chosen to lead the State Department's office that fights terrorism. He returned to the National Security Council staff in January 1987. There, he advised the President on matters related to the Middle East and South Asia.
Ambassador to Pakistan
In August 1988, Oakley was named the U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan. He took over after the previous ambassador, Arnold Lewis Raphel, died in an airplane crash. Pakistan's President, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, also died in that crash.
During his time in Pakistan, Oakley supported the new democratic government led by Benazir Bhutto. He also helped coordinate efforts related to the conflict in Afghanistan. At this time, relations between the U.S. and Pakistan were sometimes difficult.
After the Foreign Service
After retiring from the Foreign Service in September 1991, Oakley worked with the United States Institute of Peace. This organization works to prevent and resolve conflicts around the world.
Special Envoy to Somalia
In December 1992, President George H. W. Bush asked Oakley to be a Special Envoy for Somalia. A special envoy is a diplomat sent on a specific mission. He worked there during Operation Restore Hope, which was a U.S. effort to help people in Somalia. He served in this role until March 1993.
In October 1993, President Bill Clinton again asked him to be the Special Envoy for Somalia. He continued in this role until March 1994.
In January 1995, he joined the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University.
Recognitions and Awards
Robert Oakley received many awards for his service as a diplomat. These include:
- The State Department Meritorious Honor Award.
- Four Presidential Meritorious Service Awards.
- The State Department Distinguished Honor Award.
For his work as Special Envoy to Somalia, he received a second State Department Distinguished Honor Award. He also received the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. In June 1993, he received the Diplomatic Award for Excellence from the American Academy of Diplomacy. In October 2008, he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from Princeton in Africa.
Family Life
In June 1958, in Cairo, Robert Oakley married Phyllis Elliott. She was also a Foreign Service Officer. At that time, rules meant she had to resign from her job when they married. The Oakleys had two children and five grandchildren. Phyllis E. Oakley later returned to the Foreign Service in 1974.
Death
Robert Oakley passed away in McLean, Virginia, on December 10, 2014. He was 83 years old. He died from problems related to Parkinson's disease.
