Marshall Green
Diplomatic Involvement in Massacres
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Indonesia
TIME PERIOD
1965-1966
VICTIMS
500000 confirmed
Marshall Green, an American diplomat, was involved in significant geopolitical events during his career, notably serving as the senior American diplomat in South Korea during the 1960 April Revolution and as U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia from June 4, 1965, to March 26, 1969, during the Indonesian mass killings of 1965-66. He was implicated in supplying lists of Communist Party members to the Indonesian Army, which facilitated the mass executions. Green held various prominent positions, including Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from May 5, 1969, to May 10, 1973, and U.S. Ambassador to Australia from June 8, 1973, to July 31, 1975. He passed away on June 6, 1998, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, leaving behind a complex legacy intertwined with U.S. foreign policy in East Asia.
Marshall Green is believed to have played a significant role in the Indonesian mass killings of 1965-66 by providing the Indonesian Army with lists of Communist Party members, which facilitated the targeted violence. Some speculate that his actions were motivated by a desire to combat communism in Southeast Asia during the Cold War. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that his diplomatic strategies in East Asia may have contributed to U.S. foreign policy shifts that prioritized anti-communist regimes over human rights considerations.
Marshall Green: Navigating Diplomatic Waters Through Tumultuous Times
Early Life and Education
Marshall Green's story began in the quaint town of Holyoke, Massachusetts, on January 27, 1916. His academic journey took him from the prestigious halls of Groton School, where he graduated in 1935, to the ivy-laden towers of Yale University, earning his degree in 1939. These formative years laid the foundation for a career that would see him at the center of some of the most pivotal moments in 20th-century diplomacy.
Diplomatic Beginnings
Following his education, Green embarked on his diplomatic career in Tokyo, serving as secretary to Joseph Grew, the United States Ambassador to Japan. His time in Tokyo was cut short by the looming specter of war; he returned to the United States just before the Attack on Pearl Harbor to pursue a career with the United States Foreign Service. When the U.S. joined World War II, Green enlisted in the Navy, utilizing his Japanese language skills as a translator.
After the war, Green returned to civilian life and officially joined the Foreign Service. His diplomatic career kicked off in Wellington as a Third Secretary at the U.S. Embassy. Over the next decade, Green ascended through the ranks, eventually becoming the principal assistant to Secretary of State John Foster Dulles during the tense Second Taiwan Strait Crisis.
The Korean Coup and Hong Kong
As Deputy Chief of Mission in Seoul, Green found himself amidst the political upheaval of South Korea. He was the senior American diplomat present during the 1961 coup d'état that brought Major-General Park Chung Hee to power. Despite the coup, Green maintained U.S. support for the ousted Prime Minister Chang Myon, a testament to his commitment to democratic values.
Following his stint in Korea, Green served as the U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong from November 1961 to August 1963, navigating the complexities of the region during a period of significant geopolitical tension.
Indonesia and the Shadow of Massacres
Green's appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson marked the beginning of one of his most controversial roles. He arrived in a country teetering on the brink of chaos, mere weeks before the anti-communist purge that would lead to the deaths of an estimated 500,000 to one million Indonesians. The Indonesian military, led by Suharto, blamed the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) for the 30 September Movement's assassination of six generals. Green, aligning with the Indonesian Army's narrative, provided lists of PKI members, effectively endorsing the military's brutal campaign.
Historians like Geoffrey B. Robinson have since challenged Green's account, suggesting an effort to obscure the U.S. role in these events. Green's own communications, such as an October 20, 1965 telegram, reveal his support for the military's actions, further cementing his involvement in what has been retrospectively scrutinized as a dark chapter in U.S. foreign policy.
The Nixon Era and Beyond
In 1969, President Richard Nixon appointed Green as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. During his tenure, Green played a crucial role in orchestrating Nixon's historic 1972 visit to China, a diplomatic breakthrough that redefined U.S.-China relations.
Green's next assignment took him to Australia as U.S. Ambassador, where he served from 1973 to 1975. His tenure coincided with the controversial dismissal of the Whitlam Government by Governor-General John Kerr, a political maneuver that some speculate involved Green's influence.
After his ambassadorship, Green transitioned to a role as Coordinator of Population Affairs at the State Department. He retired from government service in 1979, dedicating his later years to writing and serving on the board of the Population Crisis Committee, where he focused on global overpopulation issues.
Legacy and Death
Marshall Green's life came to an end on June 6, 1998, in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He left behind a complex legacy, marked by significant diplomatic achievements and controversial engagements. He was survived by his three sons, Marshall W., Edward C., and Brampton S., and his wife, Lispenard Crocker Green, who had passed two years prior in 1996.
Works and Publications
Green documented his extensive career and insights in several books, including "Indonesia: Crisis and Transformation, 1965-1968," "War and Peace with China," co-authored with John H. Holdridge and William N. Stokes, and "Pacific Encounters - Recollections and Humor," offering a personal glimpse into his experiences.
Sources
For a more detailed account of Marshall Green's life and career, consult the following sources:
- The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training Foreign Affairs Oral History Project AMBASSADOR MARSHALL GREEN
- "U.S. OFFICIALS' LISTS AIDED INDONESIAN BLOODBATH IN '60S," Washington Post
- "Marshall Green Dies at 82; Longtime Diplomat in Asia," The New York Times
- Geoffrey B. Robinson's "The Killing Season: A History of the Indonesian Massacres, 1965–66"
- Jess Melvin's "The Army and the Indonesian Genocide: Mechanics of Mass Murder"
These references provide comprehensive insights into the intricate and often turbulent path of Marshall Green's diplomatic journey.
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Marshall Green, an American diplomat, was involved in significant geopolitical events during his career, notably serving as the senior American diplomat in South Korea during the 1960 April Revolution and as U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia from June 4, 1965, to March 26, 1969, during the Indonesian mass killings of 1965-66. He was implicated in supplying lists of Communist Party members to the Indonesian Army, which facilitated the mass executions. Green held various prominent positions, including Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from May 5, 1969, to May 10, 1973, and U.S. Ambassador to Australia from June 8, 1973, to July 31, 1975. He passed away on June 6, 1998, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, leaving behind a complex legacy intertwined with U.S. foreign policy in East Asia.
Marshall Green is believed to have played a significant role in the Indonesian mass killings of 1965-66 by providing the Indonesian Army with lists of Communist Party members, which facilitated the targeted violence. Some speculate that his actions were motivated by a desire to combat communism in Southeast Asia during the Cold War. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that his diplomatic strategies in East Asia may have contributed to U.S. foreign policy shifts that prioritized anti-communist regimes over human rights considerations.
Marshall Green: Navigating Diplomatic Waters Through Tumultuous Times
Early Life and Education
Marshall Green's story began in the quaint town of Holyoke, Massachusetts, on January 27, 1916. His academic journey took him from the prestigious halls of Groton School, where he graduated in 1935, to the ivy-laden towers of Yale University, earning his degree in 1939. These formative years laid the foundation for a career that would see him at the center of some of the most pivotal moments in 20th-century diplomacy.
Diplomatic Beginnings
Following his education, Green embarked on his diplomatic career in Tokyo, serving as secretary to Joseph Grew, the United States Ambassador to Japan. His time in Tokyo was cut short by the looming specter of war; he returned to the United States just before the Attack on Pearl Harbor to pursue a career with the United States Foreign Service. When the U.S. joined World War II, Green enlisted in the Navy, utilizing his Japanese language skills as a translator.
After the war, Green returned to civilian life and officially joined the Foreign Service. His diplomatic career kicked off in Wellington as a Third Secretary at the U.S. Embassy. Over the next decade, Green ascended through the ranks, eventually becoming the principal assistant to Secretary of State John Foster Dulles during the tense Second Taiwan Strait Crisis.
The Korean Coup and Hong Kong
As Deputy Chief of Mission in Seoul, Green found himself amidst the political upheaval of South Korea. He was the senior American diplomat present during the 1961 coup d'état that brought Major-General Park Chung Hee to power. Despite the coup, Green maintained U.S. support for the ousted Prime Minister Chang Myon, a testament to his commitment to democratic values.
Following his stint in Korea, Green served as the U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong from November 1961 to August 1963, navigating the complexities of the region during a period of significant geopolitical tension.
Indonesia and the Shadow of Massacres
Green's appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson marked the beginning of one of his most controversial roles. He arrived in a country teetering on the brink of chaos, mere weeks before the anti-communist purge that would lead to the deaths of an estimated 500,000 to one million Indonesians. The Indonesian military, led by Suharto, blamed the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) for the 30 September Movement's assassination of six generals. Green, aligning with the Indonesian Army's narrative, provided lists of PKI members, effectively endorsing the military's brutal campaign.
Historians like Geoffrey B. Robinson have since challenged Green's account, suggesting an effort to obscure the U.S. role in these events. Green's own communications, such as an October 20, 1965 telegram, reveal his support for the military's actions, further cementing his involvement in what has been retrospectively scrutinized as a dark chapter in U.S. foreign policy.
The Nixon Era and Beyond
In 1969, President Richard Nixon appointed Green as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. During his tenure, Green played a crucial role in orchestrating Nixon's historic 1972 visit to China, a diplomatic breakthrough that redefined U.S.-China relations.
Green's next assignment took him to Australia as U.S. Ambassador, where he served from 1973 to 1975. His tenure coincided with the controversial dismissal of the Whitlam Government by Governor-General John Kerr, a political maneuver that some speculate involved Green's influence.
After his ambassadorship, Green transitioned to a role as Coordinator of Population Affairs at the State Department. He retired from government service in 1979, dedicating his later years to writing and serving on the board of the Population Crisis Committee, where he focused on global overpopulation issues.
Legacy and Death
Marshall Green's life came to an end on June 6, 1998, in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He left behind a complex legacy, marked by significant diplomatic achievements and controversial engagements. He was survived by his three sons, Marshall W., Edward C., and Brampton S., and his wife, Lispenard Crocker Green, who had passed two years prior in 1996.
Works and Publications
Green documented his extensive career and insights in several books, including "Indonesia: Crisis and Transformation, 1965-1968," "War and Peace with China," co-authored with John H. Holdridge and William N. Stokes, and "Pacific Encounters - Recollections and Humor," offering a personal glimpse into his experiences.
Sources
For a more detailed account of Marshall Green's life and career, consult the following sources:
- The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training Foreign Affairs Oral History Project AMBASSADOR MARSHALL GREEN
- "U.S. OFFICIALS' LISTS AIDED INDONESIAN BLOODBATH IN '60S," Washington Post
- "Marshall Green Dies at 82; Longtime Diplomat in Asia," The New York Times
- Geoffrey B. Robinson's "The Killing Season: A History of the Indonesian Massacres, 1965–66"
- Jess Melvin's "The Army and the Indonesian Genocide: Mechanics of Mass Murder"
These references provide comprehensive insights into the intricate and often turbulent path of Marshall Green's diplomatic journey.
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