John E. Dolibois

John Ernest Dolibois
Born
Jean Ernst Dolibois

(1918-12-04)December 4, 1918
Luxembourg
DiedMay 2, 2014(2014-05-02) (aged 95)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Alma materMiami University (BA)

John Ernest Dolibois (né Jean Ernst Dolibois; December 4, 1918 – May 2, 2014) was a United States Ambassador to Luxembourg[1] and college administrator.

A native of Bonnevoie, Luxembourg, Dolibois emigrated to the United States with his father in 1931. He graduated from Miami University, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi, and served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a member of the so-called Ritchie Boys, a special military intelligence unit composed mainly of German, Austrian, and Czech refugees and immigrants to the United States.[2] He used to teach German order of battle and Nazi Party hierarchy to army officers preparing to go off to war. He was an interrogator during the Nuremberg trials and became acquainted with many of the most significant Nazi war criminals. He was sent to Luxembourg to interrogate the highest ranking war criminals in Nazi Party.[3] After a brief career with Procter & Gamble, he returned to Miami as alumni secretary, eventually becoming Vice President. He was instrumental in the development of the Miami University Dolibois European Center in Luxembourg which is named in his honor.[4]

Dolibois was a frequent speaker to students and other groups about his experiences during the Nuremberg trials.

In 1989, his autobiography, Pattern of Circles. An Ambassador's Story, was published by Kent State University Press.[5]

Dolibois died on May 2, 2014, in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the age of 95.[6]

  1. ^ "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Dohlman to Donahower".
  2. ^ Interview with John Dolibois. May 11, 2000. RG-50.030*0408. USHMM Archives RG-50.030*0408 1.
  3. ^ Jacobsen, Annie (2014). Operation Paperclip: The Secret Intelligence Program that Brought Nazi Scientists to America. Little, Brown and Company. p. 126. ISBN 978-0316221047.
  4. ^ "Dolibois European Center Luxembourg Programs | Global Initiatives - Miami University".
  5. ^ "Pattern of Circles - the Kent State University Press".
  6. ^ "John E. Dolibois, interrogator of Nazis and U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, dies at 95".