Bruce Laingen | |
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United States Ambassador to Iran | |
Acting, as chargé d'affaires | |
In office June 16, 1979 – April 7, 1980 | |
President | Jimmy Carter Ronald Reagan |
Preceded by | William H. Sullivan |
Succeeded by | Diplomatic relations severed |
United States Ambassador to Malta | |
In office January 11, 1977 – January 20, 1979 | |
President | Gerald Ford Jimmy Carter |
Preceded by | Robert P. Smith |
Succeeded by | Joan M. Clark |
Personal details | |
Born | Lowell Bruce Laingen August 6, 1922 Butterfield, Minnesota, U.S. |
Died | July 15, 2019 Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. | (aged 96)
Alma mater | St. Olaf College University of Minnesota |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Branch/service | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1943–1946 |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Lowell Bruce Laingen (August 6, 1922 – July 15, 2019) was an American diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Malta from 1977 to 1979. Laingen is best known for having been the most senior American official held hostage during the Iran hostage crisis, while serving as the chargé d'affaires (head of diplomatic mission) at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.[1][2][3]