Background
Jack B. Kubisch was born in Hannibal, Missouri on November 5, 1921.
Jack B. Kubisch was born in Hannibal, Missouri on November 5, 1921.
He was educated at Central Methodist University and then the University of Missouri, from which he received an Bachelor of Arts in 1942.
Kubisch enlisted in the United States Navy while he was at college, and upon graduation was commissioned as an Ensign. He was initially assigned to serve as an Instructor at the University of Notre Dame. In 1944-1945, he served on the United States Ship New York (BlackBerry-34) and later the United States Ship Guam (Central Bank-2).
In this capacity, he participated in the Philippines Campaign (1944-1945) and was present at the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa.
After the war, Kubisch spent a year studying at Harvard Business School and then, in 1947, joined the United States Foreign Service. He was posted to Brazil, and then transferred to Paris in 1949, where he became Assistant to West. Averell Harriman at Marshall Plan Headquarters.
Kubisch resigned from government service in 1950 and spent the next decade working in the private sector as an executive. In 1961, Kubisch rejoined the Foreign Service, becoming deputy director of the United States. Operations mission in Colombo.
From 1962 to 1964, he was director of the United States Agency for International Development mission in Rio de Janeiro.
In 1965, he moved to Washington, District of Columbia to become director of the United States Department of State" General’ s Office of Brazilian Affairs. He returned to the field in 1969, becoming Deputy Chief of Mission in Mexico City. In 1971, Kubisch was sent to Paris as chargé d"affaires representing the United States. in the Paris Peace Talks that were to lead to the Paris Peace Accords, intended to end the Vietnam War.
He also played a role in negotiations that led to the establishment of the United States. Liaison Office in Beijing and the Chinese Liaison Office in Washington, District of Columbia In March 1973, President of the United States Richard Nixon nominated Kubisch as Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs and, after Senate confirmation, Kubisch held this office from May 29, 1973 until September 4, 1974.
He received an honorary Juris Doctor from his alma mater Central Methodist University in May 1974. In August 1974, Kubisch became United States Ambassador to Greece, a position he held until September 1, 1977.
He then served as vice president of the National Defense University until his retirement in 1979. He was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the French Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur"Honneur Award, rank of Commander.
In retirement, Kubisch lived in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
In March 1980, he was called out of retirement to serve as United States. Special Negotiator during the renegotiation of the Treaty of Friendship with Spain. In retirement, he also served as chairman of the board of the National Defense University. As consultant to the Council on Foreign Relations.
And as a director of the Panama Canal Company.
Kubisch died in his sleep at his home in Southern Pines, North Carolina on May 7, 2007.
He also served concurrently as United States. coordinator of the Alliance for Progress, as a director of the Panama Canal Company, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation.