Moorhead C. Kennedy Jr.

Moorhead C. Kennedy Jr. (November 5, 1930 – May 3, 2024) was an American Foreign Service officer. He was one among 52 Americans held hostage for 444 days during the Iran hostage crisis.

Moorhead C. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy in 1985
Born(1930-11-05)November 5, 1930
DiedMay 3, 2024(2024-05-03) (aged 93)
Alma materPrinceton University
Harvard Law School
OccupationForeign Service officer
SpouseLouisa[1][2]

Life and career edit

Moorehead C. Kennedy Jr. was born in Manhattan on November 5, 1930.[3][4] He attended Princeton University, earning his bachelor's degree in oriental studies in 1952. He also attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 1959.[5][6]

Kennedy was a Foreign Service officer during the 1970s.[7] He was one among 52 Americans held hostage for 444 days during the Iran hostage crisis.[8][9][10]

Kennedy was executive director of Council for International Understanding during the 1980s.[11][12][13]

 
Kennedy (left) with Ed Asner, 1986

Kennedy died of complications from dementia in Bar Harbor, Maine, on May 3, 2024, at the age of 93.[14][15]

References edit

  1. ^ "Diary of a hostage's wife: Running on empty". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. January 20, 1981. p. 10. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  2. ^ "'Selling of hostages' begins". The Dispatch. Moline, Illinois. February 2, 1981. p. 23. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ "A Giant Step Toward Peace for Former Hostage in Iran: Kennedy Joins Church Peace Institute". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. August 5, 1981. p. 74. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ "Ex-Iranian hostage believes culture gap slows peace efforts". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. April 24, 1985. p. 3. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ Smith, Harrison (May 8, 2024). "Moorhead C. Kennedy Jr., captive in Iran hostage crisis, dies at 93". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  6. ^ Smith, Harrison (May 8, 2024). "Moorhead C. Kennedy Jr., envoy, captive in Iran hostage crisis, dies at 93". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  7. ^ "Hostages' Families Split on De-emphasizing issue". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. May 23, 1980. p. 26. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  8. ^ "Ex-hostage describes smell of fear". The Day. New London, Connecticut. September 26, 1985. p. 21. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  9. ^ "'Satanic Verses' book lacked discretion, ex-diplomat says". Tarrytown Daily News. Tarrytown, New York. March 9, 1989. p. 3. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  10. ^ Kushner, Harvey W. (1998). The Future of Terrorism: Violence in the New Millennium. SAGE Publications. p. 276. ISBN 9780761908692 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ "Extremism Hurts Cause For Peace, Ex-Hostage Says". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. November 7, 1983. p. 4. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  12. ^ "U.S. should grow up, says veteran diplomat". The Post-Crescent. Appleton, Wisconsin. February 24, 1984. p. 1. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  13. ^ "Ex-hostage tells of his struggle to understand Iran's hostility". The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield, Massachusetts. March 21, 1986. p. 9. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  14. ^ Rosenwald, Michael S. (May 18, 2024). "Moorhead C. Kennedy Jr., 93, Dies; Hostage Who Chided Foreign Policy". The New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  15. ^ "Moorhead Cowell Kennedy". Tribute Archive. Retrieved May 18, 2024.