Bruce Laingen

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Lowell Bruce Laingen (born August 6, 1922) was the senior American official held hostage during the Iran hostage crisis.

Laingen was born on a farm in southern Minnesota, going on to graduate from St. Olaf College. He also studied at the National War College, and received a M.A. in International Relations from the University of Minnesota. During World War II Laingen served in the US Navy, and in 1949 he joined the US Foreign Service. He served until 1987 at posts in Germany, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and then was appointed ambassador to Malta in 1977. Laingen was then sent back to Iran as the US chargé d'affaires, but within months of his arrival, the US embassy was overrun by student protesters. He, along with two other American officials, were at the Iranian Foreign Ministry at the time of the assault, but were trapped and held for the next 14 months. After his ordeal, Laingen was awarded the State Department's Award for Valor along with several other recognitions.

[edit] References

• Interview with Foreign Affairs Oral History Program
• Academy of Diplomacy Bio