J. William Middendorf II

John William Middendorf II (September 22, 1924 – October 24, 2025) was an American diplomat who was the 62nd Secretary of the Navy from 1974 to 1977 and the United States Ambassador to the European Communities from 1985 to 1987. He wrote books and articles on politics, security, and history.

Early life John William Middendorf II was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 22, 1924. He attended Gilman School and Middlesex School, where he was on the rowing team. He graduated in 1943. He was 17 when the attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II.

Education and military service Middendorf received a Bachelor of Naval Science (BNS) degree from College of the Holy Cross in 1945. In World War II, he served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 as engineer officer and navigator aboard USS LCS(L) 53. He was discharged from the Navy in 1946.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1947, where he was a member of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals and the Owl Club. He also graduated from New York University's Graduate School of Business Administration, receiving an MBA degree in 1954.

Early career Middendorf became an investment banker and in 1963 in partnership with Austen Colgate formed his own company, Middendorf, Colgate and Company (with a seat on the New York Stock Exchange).

In 2011, he published his autobiography, Potomac Fever.

He composed eight symphonies (including the Holland Symphony, presented to Queen Juliana of the Netherlands on the 25th anniversary of her ascension to the throne) and numerous marches for Navy and Marine Corps bands. He was a member of the board of trustees for The Heritage Foundation, an influential Washington, D.C.–based public policy research institute.

Middendorf studied stained glass production with Dutch-born expert Joep Nicolas. He was on the board of the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture.

Personal life and death Middendorf married Isabelle Paine. They had a daughter, Frances, and a son, John. He died in Fall River, Massachusetts, on October 24, 2025, at the age of 101.

Honors and awards Domestic decorations and medals Superior Honor Award, U.S. Department of State, 1974 Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, 1975; bronze palm (second award), 1976 Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, 1976 American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Medal with "ASIA" clasp China Service Medal

Foreign orders, decorations and medals Grand Officer of Order of Orange-Nassau, The Netherlands, 1985 Order of the Arab Republic of Egypt – Rank A (highest foreign decoration) by President Sadat Grand Officer of the Order of Naval Merit – Republic of Brazil, 1974 Naval Distinguished Service Medal, Brazil, 1976

Other awards Middendorf has received the "Edwin Franko Goldman Award" from the American Bandmasters Association and was a member of the American Society of Composers and Performers (ASCAP). Other honors include: Hudson River Museum Honoree, Hudson River Museum, 2009 Maritime Security Lifetime Excellence Award, 2002 Arleigh Burke Award – Navy League of the United States, 1998 Ludwig von Mises Free Market Award – 1985 Distinguished Service Award, Purdue University Band Gold Medal, The Netherlands Society of the Sons of American Revolution Medal of Honor, Midwest National Band and Orchestra Association Alumnus of the Year, New York University Graduate School of Business Association of Harvard Clubs of American Award (Music) (Keogh Award) NYU Eugene Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service (1989) American Friends of Turkey Leadership Award, 1989 Presidential Physical Fitness Award, 1990 Distinguished Patriot Award, SAR of State of New York, 1975 Award of Merit, Art League of Virginia (Portrait of Del), 1996 U.S. Olympic Committee Gold Shield Award Gold Medal, Holland Society of New York, 1996 American Bandmasters Association Edwin Franko Goldman Award American Music Award, Harvard Clubs

Honorary degrees Troy State University – Doctor of Law School of the Ozarks – Doctor of Letters American Christian College – Doctor of Letters Francisco Marroquin University – Doctor of Social Sciences