Background
Biddle, A. J. Drexel was born on December 17, 1896 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of A(nthony) J(oseph) Drexel and Cornelia Rundell (Bradley) Biddle.
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A. J. Drexel Biddle
Edit ProfileEducation
Graduated from Saint Paul’s School, New Hampshire (U.S.), 1915. Doctor of Laws, Temple University, 1938. Drexel Institute of Technology, 1955.
Career
Engaged in shipping business. Mining business, South Africa, 1931-1934. Minister to Norway. 1935-1937.
Ambassador to Poland, 1937.
Accompanied Polish government in forced move from Warsaw to several capitals in Poland, 1939, and to Angers, France. Interim ambassador, France, 1940, when French government moved seat to Tours, then to Bordeaux.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to goverments Poland, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Greece, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, also minister to Luxembourg, 1941-1944. Retired from diplomatic service, 1944.
Chairman Pennsylvania aeronautics Commission, State Armory Board, Governmental Reorganization Commission.
Ex-officio member State Veterans Commission. Ex-officio member board of trustees Soldiers and Sailors. Home: trustee Temple University Assistant secretary Democratic national convention, Philadelphia, 1936.
Achievements
Membership
Served with United States Army, 1917-1918, advancing to captain. Clubs: Philadelphia, Racquet and Tennis (Philadelphia). Member American court tennis teams competing for Bathurst Cup, 1932, 33, 34.
Connections
Married Mary Duke; married second, Margaret Thompson Schulze, 1901.
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Born
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Died
November 13, 1961 (aged 64) -
Resting place
Buried Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia -
Nationality
American
Awards
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Recipient Meritorious Service medal State of Pennsylvania, for cementing Polish-Am, relations. Pennsylvania Distinguished Service medal, 1958. Legion of Merit (United States).tempSpacePalmes d’Academie. Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre with palm (France). Grand Cross Order of White Lion, Medal of Merit (1st class) (Czechoslovakia). Medal of Valor, Gold Cross of Merit with crossed swords, Grand Cross Polonia Restituta (Poland).tempSpaceOrder Cross of Yugoslavia, Medal of Merit (1st class) (Yugoslavia). Grand Cross Order of Saint Olaf (Norway). Officer Order of Leopold I, Military Order (1st class) (Belgium).tempSpaceOrder British Empire. Commends dell’ Ordine della Corona d’Italia (Italy) Commander Order Couronne de la Chêne (Luxembourg). Grand Cross Orange-Nassau (Netherlands).tempSpaceGrand Cross Royal Order of Phoenix (Greece). Medal of Military Merit (1st class) (Mexico). Order of Merit (Brazil).tempSpaceCommander Order of Saint Charles (Monaco).Recipient Meritorious Service medal State of Pennsylvania, for cementing Polish-Am, relations. Pennsylvania Distinguished Service medal, 1958. Legion of Merit (United States).tempSpacePalmes d’Academie.
Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre with palm (France). Grand Cross Order of White Lion, Medal of Merit (1st class) (Czechoslovakia). Medal of Valor, Gold Cross of Merit with crossed swords, Grand Cross Polonia Restituta (Poland).tempSpaceOrder Cross of Yugoslavia, Medal of Merit (1st class) (Yugoslavia).
Grand Cross Order of Saint Olaf (Norway). Officer Order of Leopold I, Military Order (1st class) (Belgium).tempSpaceOrder British Empire. Commends dell’ Ordine della Corona d’Italia (Italy) Commander Order Couronne de la Chêne (Luxembourg).
Grand Cross Orange-Nassau (Netherlands).tempSpaceGrand Cross Royal Order of Phoenix (Greece). Medal of Military Merit (1st class) (Mexico). Order of Merit (Brazil).tempSpaceCommander Order of Saint Charles (Monaco).