Dave Bolen

Dave Bolen

Ambassador Bolen (R) with General Secretary Erich Honecker (L), March 1978
United States Ambassador to East Germany
In office
August 22, 1977 – June 20, 1980
President Jimmy Carter
Preceded by John Sherman Cooper
Succeeded by Herbert S. Okun
United States Ambassador to Lesotho
In office
April 25, 1974 – August 11, 1976
President Richard Nixon
Gerald Ford
Preceded by Charles J. Nelson
Succeeded by Donald R. Norland
United States Ambassador to Swaziland
In office
April 22, 1974 – August 11, 1976
President Richard Nixon
Gerald Ford
Preceded by Charles J. Nelson
Succeeded by Donald R. Norland
United States Ambassador to Botswana
In office
April 11, 1974 – August 11, 1976
President Richard Nixon
Gerald Ford
Preceded by Charles J. Nelson
Succeeded by Donald R. Norland
Personal details
Born David Benjamin Bolen
(1923-12-23) December 23, 1923
Heflin, Louisiana, U.S.
Spouse(s) Betty L. Gayden (m. 1949)
Children 3
Alma mater Southern University
University of Colorado Boulder
Harvard University
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch Army Air Corps
Years of service 1943-1946

David Benjamin "Dave" Bolen (born December 23, 1923) is an American track and field athlete, Olympian, diplomat and businessman.

Bolen competed at the 1948 Summer Olympics in the 400 metres. He finished fourth in the final behind Arthur Wint, Herb McKenley and Mal Whitfield.

Bolen's later career took him to the US State Department in 1950. In 1974, he served as ambassador to Swaziland, Lesotho and Botswana simultaneously, while keeping residence in Gaborone. In 1977, the German speaking Bolen was appointed and confirmed as US Ambassador to the German Democratic Republic. He was the first African-American to serve as ambassador to a nation behind the Iron Curtain. He served until 1980.

References

    July 8, 1977

    Diplomatic posts
    Preceded by
    Charles J. Nelson    		 United States Ambassador to Botswana
    1974–1976     		Succeeded by
    Donald R. Norland
    Preceded by
    Charles J. Nelson    		 United States Ambassador to Lesotho
    1974–1976     		Succeeded by
    Donald R. Norland
    Preceded by
    Charles J. Nelson    		 United States Ambassador to Swaziland
    1974–1976     		Succeeded by
    Donald R. Norland
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