Hermann Eilts
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Hermann Frederick Eilts (1922-October 12, 2006) is a former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Egypt who assisted Henry Kissinger's Mideast shuttle diplomacy effort, worked with Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat throughout the Camp David Accords, and dodged a Libyan hit team.[1]
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[edit] Early Life and Education
Eilts was born in Weissenfels Saale, Germany, immigrated to the United States as a child, and became a citizen at age 8 in 1930. He grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania and graduated from Ursinus College in 1942. He served in the Military Intelligence Corps during World War II.
[edit] Career
After graduating with a master's degree from Johns Hopkins' School of Advanced International Studies in 1947, Eilts joined the foreign service. He would go on to be a diplomat for 32 years.
His stature as an American diplomat in the region led to a Libyan plot to assassinate him, which was uncovered by U.S. intelligence operatives. Had the plot suceeded, Eilts would have been the sixth U.S. ambassador to be killed by terrorists in the region between the years 1968 and 1979.[2]
[edit] Retirement and Death
Eilts died at age 84 from complications of heart disease at his Wellesley, Massachusets home on October 12, 2006.[3]
[edit] Memberships, Awards and Affiliations
- Board of Trustees, American University in Cairo
- American Academy of Diplomacy (charter member)
- Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient
- Boston University Center for International Relations (founder and director)
