Bruce Laingen

Bruce Laingen
Laingen in 2011
United States Chargé d'Affaires to Iran
In office
June 16, 1979 – April 7, 1980
Nominated byJimmy Carter
Preceded byWilliam H. Sullivan (as ambassador)
Succeeded byDiplomatic relations severed
United States Ambassador to Malta
In office
January 11, 1977 – January 20, 1979
Nominated byGerald Ford
Preceded byRobert P. Smith
Succeeded byJoan M. Clark
Personal details
BornLowell Bruce Laingen
(1922-08-06)August 6, 1922
DiedJuly 15, 2019(2019-07-15) (aged 96)
Spouse
Penelope Babcock
(m. 1957)
Alma materSt. Olaf College (BA)
University of Minnesota (MA)
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1943–1946
Battles/warsWorld War II
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Lowell Bruce Laingen (August 6, 1922 – July 15, 2019) was an American diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Malta from 1977 to 1979. Laingen is best known for having been the most senior American official held hostage during the Iran hostage crisis, while serving as the chargé d'affaires (head of diplomatic mission) at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.