George S. Vest
Encyclopedia
George Southall Vest is a former United States
diplomat
and State Department
official.
, and educated at the University of Virginia
, graduating with a B.A.
in 1941. Upon leaving college, Vest joined the United States Army
to serve as a soldier during World War II
. He left the Army in 1946, having attained the rank of captain. Vest returned to the University of Virginia and received an M.A.
in 1947.
In 1947, Vest joined the United States Foreign Service
. His first post was as a consular officer
in Hamilton, Ontario
. In 1949, he became a consular officer in Quito
, a post he held until 1952, at which time he returned to Canada
as a political officer at the Embassy of the United States in Ottawa
.
In 1954, Vest became the Canadian Desk officer at the United States Department of State
in Washington, D.C.
; he later served as special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs.
In 1959, Vest was posted to Paris
as a political officer at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
, and then in 1960, as a political officer with the United States mission to NATO
. He was then Chief of the Private Office for the Secretary General of NATO
(Dirk Stikker
)from 1961 to 1963.
Vest spent 1963-64 studying at the Naval War College
.
In 1965-67, he was deputy director of the State Department's Office of Atlantic Political-Military Affairs. In 1967, he moved to Brussels
as Deputy Chief of Missions of the United States Mission to the European Commission
, a post he held until 1969, when he became Deputy Chief of Missions of the United States Mission to NATO in Brussels. Vest spent 1972-73 working on negotiations related to the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Vest returned to Washington, D.C. in 1973 to become Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Press Relations. In 1974, President of the United States
Richard Nixon
nominated Vest as Director of the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs; he subsequently held this office from April 29, 1974 until March 27, 1977. On April 7, 1977 President Jimmy Carter
nominated Vest as United States Ambassador to Pakistan
, but this nomination was withdrawn on May 5, 1977. Carter then nominated Vest as Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs and Vest held this office from June 16, 1977 until April 14, 1981.
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan
nominated Vest as United States Ambassador to the European Union
. He held this post until 1985, when Reagan named Vest Director General of the Foreign Service; he held this office from June 8, 1985 until May 3, 1989. Vest was made a Career Ambassador in 1987.
Vest retired in 1985. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and State Department
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
official.
Biography
George S. Vest was born in Columbia, VirginiaColumbia, Virginia
Columbia is a town in Fluvanna County, Virginia, United States, at the confluence of the James and Rivanna Rivers. The population was 49 at the 2000 census, making it Virginia's smallest incorporated town...
, and educated at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, graduating with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1941. Upon leaving college, Vest joined the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
to serve as a soldier during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He left the Army in 1946, having attained the rank of captain. Vest returned to the University of Virginia and received an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1947.
In 1947, Vest joined the United States Foreign Service
United States Foreign Service
The United States Foreign Service is a component of the United States federal government under the aegis of the United States Department of State. It consists of approximately 11,500 professionals carrying out the foreign policy of the United States and aiding U.S...
. His first post was as a consular officer
Consul (representative)
The political title Consul is used for the official representatives of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the peoples of the two countries...
in Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
. In 1949, he became a consular officer in Quito
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
, a post he held until 1952, at which time he returned to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
as a political officer at the Embassy of the United States in Ottawa
Embassy of the United States in Ottawa
The United States Embassy in Ottawa is a building located in Ottawa which opened in 1999.-Original mission:Before this date the mission occupied a 1930s era building directly across from Parliament Hill at 100 Wellington Street...
.
In 1954, Vest became the Canadian Desk officer at the United States Department of State
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
; he later served as special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs.
In 1959, Vest was posted to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
as a political officer at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe is the central command of NATO military forces. It is located at Casteau, north of the Belgian city of Mons...
, and then in 1960, as a political officer with the United States mission to NATO
United States Permanent Representative to NATO
The United States Permanent Representative to NATO is the official representative of the United States to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Representative has the rank of full ambassador and is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate...
. He was then Chief of the Private Office for the Secretary General of NATO
Secretary General of NATO
The Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is the chairman of the North Atlantic Council, the supreme decision-making organisation of the defence alliance. The Secretary-General also serves as the leader of the organisation's staff and as its chief spokesman...
(Dirk Stikker
Dirk Stikker
Dirk Uipko Stikker, GBE, GCVO was a Dutch banker, industrialist, politician, and diplomat.Born in Winschoten, he studied law at the University of Groningen. After his studies he began a career in the banking sector. In 1935, he became director of Heineken International, the famous beer company...
)from 1961 to 1963.
Vest spent 1963-64 studying at the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
.
In 1965-67, he was deputy director of the State Department's Office of Atlantic Political-Military Affairs. In 1967, he moved to Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
as Deputy Chief of Missions of the United States Mission to the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
, a post he held until 1969, when he became Deputy Chief of Missions of the United States Mission to NATO in Brussels. Vest spent 1972-73 working on negotiations related to the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Vest returned to Washington, D.C. in 1973 to become Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Press Relations. In 1974, President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
nominated Vest as Director of the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs; he subsequently held this office from April 29, 1974 until March 27, 1977. On April 7, 1977 President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
nominated Vest as United States Ambassador to Pakistan
United States Ambassador to Pakistan
The U.S. embassy in Karachi was established August 15, 1947 with Edward W. Holmes as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, pending the appointment of an ambassador. The first ambassador, Paul H. Alling, was appointed on September 20, 1947. Anne W. Patterson was nominated as United States Ambassador to...
, but this nomination was withdrawn on May 5, 1977. Carter then nominated Vest as Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs and Vest held this office from June 16, 1977 until April 14, 1981.
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
nominated Vest as United States Ambassador to the European Union
United States Ambassador to the European Union
This is a list of United States ambassadors to the European Union. The formal title of this position is Representative of the U.S.A. to the European Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary....
. He held this post until 1985, when Reagan named Vest Director General of the Foreign Service; he held this office from June 8, 1985 until May 3, 1989. Vest was made a Career Ambassador in 1987.
Vest retired in 1985. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
.