Anthony B. Akers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 9thUnited States Ambassador to New Zealand | |
| In office July 18, 1961 – August 25, 1963 | |
| President | John F. Kennedy |
| Preceded by | Francis H. Russell |
| Succeeded by | Herbert B. Powell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1914-10-19)October 19, 1914 Charlotte, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | April 1, 1976(1976-04-01) (aged 61) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | Andra Akers Ellery Akers |
| Education | Columbia University (LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Battles/wars | World War II Pacific War |
Anthony Boyce Akers (October 19, 1914 – April 1, 1976) was an American attorney, diplomat, and political candidate who served as theUnited States Ambassador to New Zealand from 1961 to 1963.[1]
Akers was born inCharlotte, Texas, and attended theUniversity of Texas at Austin.[2] He later graduated fromColumbia Law School.
Enlisting in theUnited States Navy in 1940, he served in thePacific War as lieutenant commander of aPT boat, and was awarded aSilver Star and two Presidential citations.[3] He was one of four officers who became the fictionalized heroes ofWilliam L. White's 1942 novelThey Were Expendable, based on his Squadron 3's evacuation of GeneralDouglas MacArthur andPresident Manuel Quezon fromCorregidor to Australia.[4] WhenJohn Ford filmed the story, Akers served as a technical advisor.[5]
During theKorean War, Akers served as Deputy Assistant Secretary and DeputyUnited States Under Secretary of the Air Force. He was director of the New York City office of theState Department of Commerce until 1958. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a Democrat in theEast Side 17th District three times: in 1954, 1956 and 1958.[3]
Akers had first metJohn F. Kennedy in World War II. Akers ran the motor torpedo boat training squadron inMelville, Rhode Island where Kennedy trained.[4] Kennedy campaigned for Akers in the latter's 1956 bid for Congress,[4] and Akers served as executive chairman of the NY Citizens' Committee for Kennedy–Johnson in 1960. After winning the presidency, Kennedy appointed Akers Ambassador toNew Zealand in June 1961, where he represented the United States until August 25, 1963.[6][7] During his time in New Zealand, he lobbied theANZUS to send advisory personnel to Vietnam.[4] Akers returned to the United States, intending to take over the job ofChief of Protocol fromAngier Biddle Duke. Afterthe President's assassination, Akers returned to practicing law. He later worked as an advisor on theRobert F. Kennedy 1968 presidential campaign, and was present at theAmbassador Hotel when Kennedywas assassinated.[4]
Akers was married to Jane Pope, the daughter of architectJohn Russell Pope. Akers and his wife had two daughters:Andra Akers, an actress, andEllery Akers, a poet and naturalist.[8]
Akers died of a heart attack on April 1, 1976, inWrightsville Beach, North Carolina, aged 61.[3]
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