J. William Middendorf

William Middendorf
Middendorf in 1969
United States Ambassador to the European Communities
In office
July 12, 1985 – February 1, 1987
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byGeorge S. Vest
Succeeded byAlfred H. Kingon
10th United States Ambassador to the Organization of American States
In office
July 1, 1981 – June 20, 1985
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byGale W. McGee
Succeeded byRichard T. McCormack
62nd United States Secretary of the Navy
In office
April 8, 1974 – January 20, 1977
PresidentRichard Nixon
Gerald Ford
Preceded byJohn Warner
Succeeded byW. Graham Claytor Jr.
Under Secretary of the Navy
In office
August 3, 1973 – June 20, 1974
PresidentRichard Nixon
Preceded byFrank P. Sanders
Succeeded byDavid S. Potter
United States Ambassador to the Netherlands
In office
July 9, 1969 – June 10, 1973
PresidentRichard Nixon
Preceded byWilliam R. Tyler
Succeeded byKingdon Gould Jr.
Personal details
BornJohn William Middendorf II
(1924-09-22)September 22, 1924
DiedOctober 24, 2025(2025-10-24) (aged 101)
PartyRepublican
SpouseIsabelle Paine
Children2, including John
Education
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Navy
Service years1944–1946
ConflictWorld War II
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John William Middendorf II (September 22, 1924 – October 24, 2025) was an American diplomat who was the 62nd Secretary of the Navy from 1974 to 1977 and the United States Ambassador to the European Communities from 1985 to 1987. He wrote books and articles on politics, security, and history.