US Presidential Cabinet Secretary, US Ambassador. He served as Acting United States Secretary of State during the Administration of President Ronald W. Reagan in 1982. Raised in Massachusetts and later California, he acted in stage productions during his high school years. While attending Stanford University, he studied Political Science and International Affairs as he participated in tennis and swimming. During World War II, he served with the United States Naval Reserves. Stoessel began his lengthy career in foreign relations when he was named vice counsel in Caracas, Venezuela. After this experience, he served as a relation specialist on matters regarding the Soviet Union and it would be during this period when he acquired valuable experience in which benefited him greatly later in his career. After serving at various positions in West Germany and France, he served as US Ambassador to Poland from 1968 until 1972. From 1973 until 1976, he served as US Ambassador to the Soviet Union and along with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, he laid the groundwork for the historic 1972 Moscow Summit between President Richard M. Nixon and General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev. Considered a breakthrough in relations during the Cold War, the SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) resulted. From 1976 until 1981, he Stoessel served as the US Ambassador to West Germany and in 1982, he was appointed to serve as Deputy Secretary of State after holding the post of Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. In July of 1982, Stoessel was elevated to Acting Secretary of State following the resignation of Alexander Haig. Stoessel died of complications from leukemia.
US Presidential Cabinet Secretary, US Ambassador. He served as Acting United States Secretary of State during the Administration of President Ronald W. Reagan in 1982. Raised in Massachusetts and later California, he acted in stage productions during his high school years. While attending Stanford University, he studied Political Science and International Affairs as he participated in tennis and swimming. During World War II, he served with the United States Naval Reserves. Stoessel began his lengthy career in foreign relations when he was named vice counsel in Caracas, Venezuela. After this experience, he served as a relation specialist on matters regarding the Soviet Union and it would be during this period when he acquired valuable experience in which benefited him greatly later in his career. After serving at various positions in West Germany and France, he served as US Ambassador to Poland from 1968 until 1972. From 1973 until 1976, he served as US Ambassador to the Soviet Union and along with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, he laid the groundwork for the historic 1972 Moscow Summit between President Richard M. Nixon and General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev. Considered a breakthrough in relations during the Cold War, the SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) resulted. From 1976 until 1981, he Stoessel served as the US Ambassador to West Germany and in 1982, he was appointed to serve as Deputy Secretary of State after holding the post of Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. In July of 1982, Stoessel was elevated to Acting Secretary of State following the resignation of Alexander Haig. Stoessel died of complications from leukemia.
Bio by: C.S.
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