Anthony B. Akers

Anthony Boyce Akers (October 19, 1914 – April 1, 1976) was an American attorney, diplomat, and political candidate who served as the United States Ambassador to New Zealand from 1961 to 1963.

Early life and education Akers was born in Charlotte, Texas, and attended the University of Texas at Austin. He later graduated from Columbia Law School.

Career Enlisting in the United States Navy in 1940, he served in the Pacific War as lieutenant commander of a PT boat, and was awarded a Silver Star and two Presidential citations. He was one of four officers who became the fictionalized heroes of William L. White's 1942 novel They Were Expendable, based on his Squadron 3's evacuation of General Douglas MacArthur and President Manuel Quezon from Corregidor to Australia. When John Ford filmed the story, Akers served as a technical advisor.

During the Korean War, Akers served as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy United States Under Secretary of the Air Force. He was director of the New York City office of the State Department of Commerce until 1958. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a Democrat in the East Side 17th District three times: in 1954, 1956 and 1958. During his time in New Zealand, he lobbied the ANZUS to send advisory personnel to Vietnam.

Akers died of a heart attack on April 1, 1976, in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, aged 61.