John J. Muccio

John Joseph Muccio[2] (March 19, 1900 – May 19, 1989)[6][7] was an Italian-born American diplomat who served as the first United States Ambassador to Korea following the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948. His title was "Special Representative of the President" (Harry Truman) in 1948–49 and Ambassador from 1949 through 1952. During his tenure, the Korean War began. In 1950, before the war broke out, he negotiated the first agreement on American military aid to Korea, worth $10 million at that time. Later that year, in testimony to Congress, Muccio called for increased assistance to Seoul and warned that Communist forces were a growing threat north of the 38th parallel.[8]

John J. Muccio
Muccio in 1950
United States Ambassador to Guatemala
In office February 1, 1960 – November 10, 1961
President	Dwight D. Eisenhower John F. Kennedy
Preceded by	Lester D. Mallory
Succeeded by	John O. Bell
1st United States Ambassador to Iceland
In office November 3, 1955 – December 16, 1959
President	Dwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded by	Himself (as Minister)
Succeeded by	Tyler Thompson
United States Minister to Iceland
In office October 12, 1954 – November 3, 1955
President	Dwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded by	Edward B. Lawson
Succeeded by	Himself (as Ambassador)
United States Ambassador to South Korea
In office April 20, 1949 – September 8, 1952[1]
President	Harry S. Truman Dwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded by	Diplomatic relations established
Succeeded by	Ellis O. Briggs
United States Consul in Hong Kong
In office 1927 – 1929[2]
Personal details
Born	(1900-03-19)March 19, 1900 Valle Agricola, Italy[3]
Died	May 19, 1989(1989-05-19) (aged 89) Washington, D.C., U.S.[4]
Resting place	Rock Creek Cemetery[5]
Children	4[4]
Alma mater	George Washington University[3]

Under President Dwight Eisenhower, Muccio served as United States Ambassador to Iceland, where he previously served as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.

Finally, Muccio served as United States Ambassador to Guatemala before he retired from the United States Foreign Service in 1961.

References

1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-10. Retrieved 2011-08-14.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link). Retrieved 2013-02-14
2. http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/mozer-mullarky.html#MUCCIO. Retrieved 2013-02-12
3. http://articles.latimes.com/1989-05-29/news/mn-622_1_south-korea-north-korean-invasion-hong-kong. Retrieved 2013-02-12
4. https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/22/obituaries/john-j-muccio-89-was-us-diplomat-in-several-countries.html. Retrieved 2013-02-12
5. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44383696
6. Brown Alumni Weekly: Our Ambassador to Korea
7. The United States in Asia: A Historical Dictionary
8. John J. Muccio, 89; Was U.S. Diplomat In Several Countries https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/22/obituaries/john-j-muccio-89-was-us-diplomat-in-several-countries.html

• New York Times Obituary
• Truman Library

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by None	Ambassador of United States to South Korea 1949–1952	Succeeded by Ellis O. Briggs
Preceded by Edward B. Lawson	Ambassador of United States to Iceland 1954–1959	Succeeded by Tyler Thompson
Preceded by Lester D. Mallory	Ambassador of United States to Guatemala 1960–1961	Succeeded by John O. Bell