J. William Middendorf II

Ambassador J. William Middendorf, II "has been Chairman of the Defense Forum Foundation since 1988. He previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to the European Communities from 1985-1987; Ambassador to the Organization of American States from 1981-1985; Secretary of the Navy from 1974-1976; and Ambassador to the Netherlands from 1969-1973. In 2002, he received the Maritime Security Lifetime Excellence Award. Middendorf helped start the Marine Corps Marathon and the trophy is named in his honor. In addition to serving as Chairman of DFF, he also serves as a trustee for the Heritage Foundation and on the Board of the International Republican Institute. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946 in the Pacific Theater.“


 * Director, Defense Forum Foundation
 * Inter-American Foundation/Former Personnel and Directors