Michael P. E. Hoyt

Michael Phelps Evans Hoyt (Chicago, 16 November 1929 — Santa Fe, New Mexico, 14 December 2016) was an American Foreign Service Officer and, as his country's consul in Stanleyville, a hostage for 111 days during the Simba rebellion.

Early life and family Michael Hoyt was born in 1929 as the son of Frank and Elizabeth Hoyt. His father Frank C. Hoyt was a quantum physicist involved in the Manhattan Project. Hoyt married Jo Wasson in 1954. He became an air traffic controller during the Korean War.

Diplomatic career

Hoyt entered US diplomatic service in 1956 and would serve in diplomatic and consular positions in Pakistan, Morocco, Congo, Cameroon, Burundi, Nigeria, Switzerland, and Washington DC. On 24 November 1964, US and Belgian regiments drove back the rebels during the joint Operation Dragon Rouge. The European and American hostages were rescued, but many foreigners including Paul Carlson died during the raid. Hoyt arrived back in the United States on 26 November 1964. For his "outstanding courage and dignity" during the rebellion, Hoyt was awarded the Secretary's Award of the Department of State.

Honours In August 2016, representative of New Mexico Senator Tom Udall, Bobbie Ferrell, presented the Flag of the United States to Hoyt.