LLEWELLYN THOMPSON
Llewellyn E. (Tommy) Thompson, Jr. (Aug. 24, 1904 - Feb. 6, 1972) Thompson graduated from Bent County High School in 1922. He worked his way through the University of Colorado, at Boulder, earning a B. A. in economics in 1928. One year, returning from a summer job, Thompson met a retired diplomat, who shared his experiences with the young man; Thompson's course was set. Following his graduation, Thompson attended a Foreign Service Tutoring Group, at Georgetown, while working for Price-Waterhouse. He received an appointment as a Foreign Service Officer, in Jan. 1929. His first appointment post was Vise Council, in Colombo, Ceylon. In 1933, Thompson was transferred to Geneva, and there promoted to Consul in 1937. While in Switzerland, he also served as an American Advisor to the International Labor Office. Transferred back to the U.S. in 1940. Thompson attended the Army War College, as the conflicts in Europe and the Pacific intensified. Sent to Moscow as Second Secretary and council in 1941. He began what would become his most important contribution to American Diplomacy; his knowledge and insight into the Soviet Union. Thompson remained in Moscow throughout the Nazi siege of 1941-42. He reportedly used these months to perfect his Russian, but during his stay in the capital, when the Soviet Government and Diplomatic Corps moved to Kuybysh, during the crisis, also endeared the diplomat to many Soviets. The U.S. awarded Thompson the Medal of Freedom, for his courage. Thompson continued his duties in Moscow, until 1944 when he was assigned, in the same capacity, to London. He remained in London for two years, before returning to Washington, D.C., where he held several administrative posts: Chief of the Division of European Affairs, Deputy Director Assistant, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. On one of his many trans- Atlantic flights, he met Jane Monroe Goelet, an artist. They married Oct. 2, 1948. Mrs. Thompson had a daughter from her first marriage. Together, the Thompson's had two daughters. The Thompson's shared the remainder of his career, and she became a diplomatic asset, often entertaining Soviet Officials, and with her gentle, intelligent wit. Throughout the post-war years, Thompson, was present at almost every conference concering the Soviet-Western Relations, beginning at Potsdam in July 1945. President Harry S. Truman, sent Thompson to Rome in 1950, as both the Commissioner and Ambassador to Austria. Thompson became pivotal in resolving the Trieste dispute between Italy and Yugoslavia. His remarkable patience and amazing ability to read his opponent brought Thompson success at the negotiating table, as well as the the poker table with fellow embassy personnel. In 1954, a settlement was reached which divided the Adriatic Port territory, in a manner agreeable to both countries. The decision eliminated nine years of debate, as with the Atistrain Treaty finalized, in 1955, granting Austira her independence, in return for a pledge of neutrality. Thompson's quiet, tenacious diplomacy proved instrumental.Picture of Llewellyn (Tom) in New York Times (he's on the right)
Because of his Soviet expertise and Russian approval of the Trieste settle- ment and the Austrian Treaty, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, named Thompson Ambassador to Moscow in June 1957. It was at Thompson's behest, that a historic visit to the U.S. by Soviet Premier Nikita Kruschev be initiated. The visit became a reality in 1959, and resulted in reduced Cold War tensions. Thompson prepared the way for the summit meeting between Krushchev and Eisenhower, in Paris, but the conference failed to materialize after the Soviets discovered an American U-2 reconnaissance mission over their territory in 1960 Thompson remained in Moscow after President John F. Kennedy was inaugerated. During this tenure Kruschev came to trust Thompson. The two men spent a great deal of time together, professionally and with their families. Thompson did not grant interviews or write of his experiences with the Soviets. Thompson worked hard to keep the Soviet trust, by maintaining the confidentialty of theis discussions. Kennedy learned to rely on Thompson's advice in Soviet matters, to a greater degree than his predeccessor. Thompson consulted Kennedy during the 1961 Berlin crisis. In the summer of 1962, Thompson left Moscow to return to Washington. He received the title of Career Ambassador in June 1962 and was awarded the highest honor a civilian can obtain from the government, when Kennedy gave him the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service. That October, he received Senate confirmation as Ambassador at Large. During the four years in his new capacity, he was responsible for advising the President and Secretary of State on all matters, relating to the Soviets. Thompson was instrumental in the resolution of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis as the resident Russian expert. Thompson gave the National Security Council Executive Cominittee the insight that few people, if any could have given, into Kruschev's unwillingness to take on a nuclear risk. He also stressed the importance of allowing the Soviets to save face, in concluding the crisis. Because of the iinportance of Soviet-American relations, Kennedy also relied on his expertise in Vietnam to prevent further conflicts. Lyndon B. Johnson kept Thompson in the same capacity, with a brief stint as Acting Deputy Under Secretary of State, for Military and political affairs, until 1968 when he was named Ambassador to Moscow for the second time. Thompson arranged the 1967 meeting between President Johnson and Premier Alexei N. Kosygin, in the US. He expanded a great deal of energy trying to limit the Soviet-American nuclear arms race. Most of his second tour, however, was troubled with the reprocussions of American involment in Vietnam. Thompson returned to Washington in January 1969. Thompson served as U.S. Ambassador to Moscow longer than any other ambassador, to date. In the last years of his life, Thompson served on the Central Intelligence Agency's Board of National Estimates. President Richard M. Nixon also drew Thompson into the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks with the Soviets. Thompson attended the Helsinki and Vienna Talks with the Soviets, on the issue of nuclear weapons, which resulted in the Salk Treaty. Thompson died at the National Institute of Health, in Bethesda, Maryland. He is buried in the family plot, in Las Animas, Colorado. Papers relating to Thompson's service can be found in the National Archives and each of the presidential libraries, from Truman through Nixon. Some of Thompson's personel papers remain in the possession of his wife, Jane. This information on Lewellyn Thompson was forwarded to me, by his Nephew, Robert Thompson, of Denver.
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