Walter Cecil Dowling (August 4, 1905 – July 1, 1977) was the United States Ambassador to West Germany from 1959–1963 and the US Ambassador to South Korea from 1956-1959.

Walter C. Dowling
3rd United States Ambassador to West Germany
In office
December 3, 1959 – April 21, 1963
PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower
John F. Kennedy
Preceded byDavid K. E. Bruce
Succeeded byGeorge C. McGhee
4th United States Ambassador to Korea
In office
July 14, 1956 – October 2, 1959
PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded byWilliam S.B. Lacy
Succeeded byWalter P. McConaughy
Personal details
Born(1905-08-04)August 4, 1905
Atkinson, Georgia
DiedJuly 1, 1977(1977-07-01) (aged 71)
Savannah, Georgia
SpouseAlice Jernigan
Children2
Alma materMercer University

Dowling was born in Atkinson County, Georgia.[1] He received a bachelor's degree from Mercer University in 1925. In 1932 he became the vice consul in Norway. He worked his way through various foreign postings and postings at the State Department before becoming United States Ambassador to South Korea in 1956. Picked by President Dwight Eisenhower to become Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs,[1] he was confirmed by the Senate,[2] but diverted to Bonn,[3] where he served as United States Ambassador to West Germany up to[4] and through the Berlin Crisis of 1961.[5][6]

Appointed a Career Ambassador in 1962,[7] an operation cut short his career; in 1963, he retired from the Foreign Service.[8]

After he left the State Department, he became Director-General of the Atlantic Institute, before returning to Mercer University and teaching political science. He died in 1977.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Jorden, William J. (July 31, 1959). "ENVOY TO KOREA TO GET HIGH POST; Dowling Is Picked Top Aide to Herter on Europe as Merchant Moves Up". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  2. ^ "DOWLING IS CONFIRMED; Senate Also Approves Brand as Loan Fund Director". The New York Times. August 27, 1959. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  3. ^ "Dowling, Career Man, Is Slated To Be Envoy to West Germany; Former Ambassador to Korea Scheduled to Get Post Offered to Murphy". The New York Times. November 7, 1959. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  4. ^ Gruson, Sydney (September 23, 1960). "German Reds Fail in Bid to Bar Envoy of U.S. From East Berlin; Police Order Dowling Back to Western Sector, Then Yield as He Stands Firm". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  5. ^ Gruson, Sydney (September 29, 1960). "CRISIS ON BERLIN SEEN SHARPENING; Soviet Stand That Air Lanes Can Be Used Only to Supply Garrisons Worries West". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  6. ^ "U.S. Tells Envoy to See Adenauer For Clarification of Statements; Bonn-Paris Move to Block British Trade Ties Doubted by Capital". The New York Times. May 12, 1962. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  7. ^ Office of the Historian. "Career Ambassadors". history.state.gov. Retrieved 2018-06-18.
  8. ^ Olsen, Arthur J. (April 17, 1963). "Dowling Quits Foreign Service, Hastens Departure From Bonn; Ends 31-Year Career After McGhee Replaces Him as Envoy to Germany". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  9. ^ "W, C. DOWLING DIES; RETIRED U.S.DIPLOMAT". The New York Times. July 9, 1977. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
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Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Germany
1959–1963
Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Ambassador to South Korea
1956–1959
Succeeded by