Frederick Irving

Frederick Irving (May 2, 1921 – November 13, 2016) was an American diplomat and civil servant. He was United States Ambassador to Iceland from 1972 to 1976, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs from 1976 to 1977, and United States Ambassador to Jamaica from 1977 to 1978.

For the United States Army officer, see Frederick Augustus Irving.

Frederick Irving
United States Ambassador to Jamaica
In office July 18, 1977 – November 22, 1978
President	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	Sumner Gerard
Succeeded by	Loren E. Lawrence
Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
In office April 28, 1976 – March 26, 1977
President	Gerald Ford
Preceded by	Dixie Lee Ray
Succeeded by	Patsy Mink
United States Ambassador to Iceland
In office October 11, 1972 – April 21, 1976
President	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	Luther Replogle
Succeeded by	James J. Blake
Personal details
Born	May 2, 1921 Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Died	November 13, 2016(2016-11-13) (aged 95) Amherst, Massachusetts, United States
Resting place	Arlington National Cemetery
Spouse(s)	Dorothy Petrie ​ ( m. 1946; died 2010)
Alma mater	Brown University (BA) The Fletcher School (MA) National War College
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army (Army Air Forces)
Years of service	1943–1945
Rank	First Lieutenant
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Purple Heart

Biography

Frederick Irving was born in Providence, Rhode Island on May 2, 1921.[1][2] He studied at Classical High School, where he met his future wife, Dorothy.[3] He was educated at Brown University, receiving an A.B. in political science in 1943.[2]

After graduating from Brown, Irving served in the United States Army Air Corps for the remainder of World War II[3] as a navigator.[1] On his 37th bombing mission, his B-24 Liberator heavy bomber was shot down over Hungary as he was returning from bombing the Blechhammer oil refinery.[1][4] He spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft III.[2]

After the war, he attended Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and received an M.A. in international relations.[2] He then studied at the National War College.[2]

Irving then joined the United States Foreign Service and worked there for 32 years.[2] In September 1972, President of the United States Richard Nixon nominated Irving to be United States Ambassador to Iceland. He served there until 1976. In 1976, President Gerald Ford nominated Irving as Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs and he held this position until 1977. President Jimmy Carter then named him United States Ambassador to Jamaica.

Irving retired in 1978, and died on November 13, 2016.[1]

Bibliography

• Irving, Frederick. "Mr. President, Do You Think I Have Rocks In My Head?" Experiences of Frederick Irving. ISBN 978-1937146900.

References

1. "Frederick Irving Obituary". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
2. Gardner N. Hatch and John S. Edwards, American Ex-POW (Turner Publishing Company, 2001), p. 117
3. Bio from Classical High School website Archived 2011-07-25 at the Wayback Machine
4. Gardner N. Hatch and John S. Edwards, American Ex-POW (Turner Publishing Company, 2001), p. 117

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Luther Replogle	United States Ambassador to Iceland October 11, 1972 – April 21, 1976	Succeeded by James J. Blake
Government offices
Preceded by Dixy Lee Ray	Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs April 28, 1976 – March 26, 1977	Succeeded by Patsy Mink
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Sumner Gerard	United States Ambassador to Jamaica July 18, 1977 – November 22, 1978	Succeeded by Loren E. Lawrence