Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle, Jr. – Major General, United States Army Foreign Service Officer

Born on December 17, 1897 into the renowned Biddle family of Philadelphia, he served in World War I with the Army and later began a diplomatic career, which included Minister to Norway, Ambassador to Poland in the crucial years from 1937 to the outbreak of World War II, and Ambassador to a number of governments in exile in London during the war.

He died on November 13, 1961 and was buried in Section 30 of Arlington National Cemetery.


ANTHONY J. DREXEL BIDDLE DEAD; AMBASSADOR TO SPAIN WAS 64

Envoy and Officer in World War II – Tributes Paid By Kennedy and Eisenhower

WASHNGTON, November 13, 1961 – Anthony J. Drexel Biddle, Ambassador to Spain and for many years one of this country’s most distinguished diplomats, died today at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  He was 64 years old.

Ambassador Biddle was undergoing treatment for cancer of the lung, but the State Department announced that a heart attack was the immediate cause of death.

President Kennedy, who had visited Mr. Biddle in the hospital recently, mourned his death.  The President said today: “The untimely death of Ambassador Biddle is a tragic loss to the Nation, which he served with unswerving loyalty and great distinction throughout his life.  As a soldier and a diplomat in two wars and on other times of crisis, he won the affection and admiration of the international community of free men.  Our deepest sympathy goes to members of his family.  The country will remember with pride his service to it.”

Secretary of State Dean Rusk expressed his sorrow at the loss of a “devoted and selfless servant” and “a great soldier-statesman.”

Surviving are Mr. Biddle’s widow, Margaret; two daughters, Mrs. James Seamons, of Durham, North Carolina, and Miss Margaret Grace Biddle; two sons, Nicholas D. Biddle of New York and Anthony J. Biddle, Jr.

He also leaves a brother, Livingston L. Biddle of Pinehurst, North Carolina, and a sister, Mr. T. Markoe Robertson of New York, who is the mother of Angier Biddle Duke, the Chief of Protocol.

A funeral service will be held Thursday with military honors at Fort Myer, Virginia, and burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.


AMBASSADOR BIDDLE BURIED IN ARLINGTON

WASHINGTON, November 16, 1961 – Anthony J. Drexel Biddle, United States Ambassador to Spain, was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery today after a funeral service attended by President Kennedy’s wife and father, Joseph P. Kennedy.

The 64-year-old diplomat and officer, member of a prominent Philadelphia family, died of a heart attack Monday in Walter Reed Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for cancer.

The Protestant Episcopal service was conducted by Major General Luther Miller, former Chief of Army Chaplains, at the Fort Myer Chapel.  Leading Government officials and members of the diplomatic corps attended.

General Maxwell D. Taylor, special assistant to the President was President Kennedy’s personal representative.

Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Governor David Lawrence of Pennsylvania and General George H. Decker, the Army Chief of Staff, were among the honorary pallbearers.

General Miller preached no sermon the in the chapel service.  He commented in a prayer on the “unending devotion and tireless efforts on behalf of our nation and the free world” which Mr. Biddle had displayed.


  • BIDDLE, ANTHONY JOSEPH DREXEL
  • MAJ/GEN USA
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 12/17/1897
  • DATE OF DEATH: 11/13/1961
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 11/16/1961
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 30  SITE 1172-LH
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • BIDDLE, ANTHONY JOSEPH DREXEL
  • AR United States Army
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 01/24/1944 – 04/18/1955
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 12/17/1897
  • DATE OF DEATH: 11/13/1961
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 11/16/1961
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 30  SITE 1172-LH
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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