P4101

Distinguished American Diplomats

Robert D. Murphy - Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs

Collins Cover Announcement 

Distinguished American Diplomates

Robert D. Murphy

Murphy's career lasted almost forty years, and he played important roles prior to, during, and after World War IL One of his most important assignments was to help plan the Allied ground invasion of German-held North Africa. He was President Franklin D. Roosevelt's personal representative during the planning, execution, and aftermath of the North African.

campaign. In 1943 and 1944 he was the political adviser to General Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 1945 he took part in the Potsdam Conference after the defeat of Hitler and then served as a political adviser in Germany until 1949. The individually hand painted cachet shows the landing of Allied forces and a map of North Africa.

Robert Murphy joined the Foreign Service in 1921 and served in various Western European countries until the war broke out. After Germany's defeat, he became the Ambassador to Belgium and then America's first postwar Ambassador to Japan. In the 1950s he was an important negotiator during the Korean War, and in 1954 he was instrumental in easing tensions between Italy and Yugoslavia. To end his career, he served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

Even after retirement, Murphy continued to serve his country by being a member of several intelligence and advisory committees. He was honored with the Distinguished Service Medal and was one of the few diplomats to be designated as Career Ambassador. Perhaps most important to him, he was

considered by his colleagues in the State Department as the consummate diplomat and a highly skilled and effective troubleshooter. I'm pleased to honor Robert D. Murphy. 

Collins #P4101 — $13.25.