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J. William Middendorf II

Secretary of the Navy & Ambassador

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Discover the Story

Discover the gripping life story of J. William Middendorf II, a man who faced tough decisions and leadership challenges head-on, shaping the course of American history. From his early days as a naval officer in World War II to Ambassador to Secretary of the Navy, Middendorf’s journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to his country. Explore his remarkable life through his memoir, a captivating narrative that offers a unique perspective on key historical events.

On My 100-Year Watch is a call to arms. Its publication comes at a time of great danger posed by adversary states such as the People’s Republic of China under Supreme Leader Xi Jinping, the Russian Federation under Vladimir Putin, North Korea under Kim Jong Un, and Iran under theocratic, terrorist-supporting mullahs. Despite nearly 20 years of war against Islamic extremists, the danger posed by terrorist groups remains very real. Prime among these current dangers outlined in On My 100-Year Watch, however, is the threat from China, a nuclear-armed Communist dictatorship bent on replacing the U.S. as the world’s superpower. For the sake of world peace and freedom, a Communist Party-ruled China must never be allowed to become the world’s number one military power. China’s brand of communism remains subtler than that of the old Soviet Union. But make no mistake—it is more dangerous. Beijing’s leaders are using the deception that China poses no threat to subvert the U.S. and other Western nations. It is also using economic engagement to lull its avowed enemies into complacency. For the Chinese Communist Party leadership, the U.S. is the main enemy to be defeated—even as Beijing seeks engagement worldwide. On My 100-Year Watch provides two extremely valuable contributions to the current debate on how best to improve American national security. First, it provides a clear-eyed assessment of the threats from China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and others. Middendorf recognizes that solutions are nearly impossible until we fully understand the dangers.

Ambassador

J. William Middendorf II

Ambassador J. William Middendorf II has been a Little Compton Society board member for 60 years. He served as an engineering officer and navigator aboard LCS-53 during WWII. After the war, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1947 and a Master’s from the Stern School of Business at New York University in 1954. Middendorf became an investment banker in the 1950s at Wood, Struthers, and Company. In 1961, he and Austen Colgate founded Middendorf Colgate and Company, which became a prominent Wall Street firm. In 1969, he left his investment firm and accepted the role of U.S. Ambassador to The Netherlands, serving there until 1973. After he returned to the United States, he was named Under Secretary of the Navy, and on April 8, 1974, was appointed Secretary of the Navy for President Richard Nixon’s administration.

During his tenure as Secretary of the Navy, Middendorf was able to sponsor through Congress four new major Navy programs:

  • Ohio-class submarines and the accompanying Trident missiles
  • The Aegis surface-launched missile system
  • The F/A-18 Hornet carrier-based attack aircraft
  • The CH-53E, a heavy-lift helicopter for the Marine Corps

He also is credited with creating the Marine Corps Marathon. After he left the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, Middendorf returned to the private sector as president and chief executive officer of Financial General Bankshares (which he reorganized and renamed First American Bank). In 1980, he led the CIA transition team for incoming President Ronald Reagan’s administration and was later named the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States. He served in that post until 1984, when he accepted the appointment as U.S. Representative to the European Community (today known as the European Union), serving in that role until 1987. The future USS J. William Middendorf (DDG-138), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, will be named in his honor.

Tyrants & Patriots

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Author

J. William Middendorf II

John William Middendorf II served in the Nixon, Ford, and Reagan administrations as Secretary of the Navy, Ambassador to The Netherlands, U.S. Representative to the Organization of American States, and U.S. Representative to the European Community. He is a founding member, with William F. Buckley Jr., of the American Conservative Union and a board member of the Heritage Foundation.

Books by J. William Middendorf

On My 100-Year Watch: Tyrants and Patriots (front)
On My 100-Year Watch: Tyrants and Patriots (back)
Co-author

Ken Dooley

Ken Dooley is an author, playwright, and screenwriter. His play, The Murder Trial of John Gordon, resulted in the governor of Rhode Island issuing a pardon for a man who was executed in 1845. His play, The Auerbach Dynasty, based on the life of Red Auerbach, legendary coach of the Boston Celtics, opened to rave reviews in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. With Bill Russell and Sam Jones, he wrote a TV series based on African American players coming into the National Basketball Association. The series is now under consideration by several production companies.

Books by Ken Dooley

Plays

  • Wrote and produced The Murder Trial of John Gordon at the Park Theatre
  • Wrote and directed The Auerbach Dynasty
  • Wrote Up and Downs
  • Wrote Kristallnacht in Cranston
  • Wrote and produced Love Nests

Screenplays

  • John Gordon
  • White to Black, with Bill Russell and Sam Jones
  • Bellevue Avenue
  • Judgment at Yokohama

Media

J. William Middendorf II’s Wikipedia Entry

Articles About Ambassador Middendorf

Interviews with Ambassador Middendorf

Brent Sadler interviews Ambassador J. William Middendorf II for the heritage.org podcast

For media inquiries please contact info@jwmiddendorf.com

Contact Us

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