National Affairs: Exceptional Service

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In 37 years of sensitive diplomatic assignments—Rome, Paris, Moscow, Madrid, London, Rio de Janeiro—U.S. Career Diplomat James Clement Dunn won wide respect as an urbane, wise, influential foreign-service officer. As U.S. Ambassador to Italy (1946-52), he merited the State Department's Distinguished Service Award for helping defeat the Communists in the critical 1948 elections (partially by dramatizing U.S. aid). As Ambassador to Spain (1953-55), he helped develop the new U.S. policy of good relations with Franco. Moving on to booming Brazil in February 1955, he concentrated on touring remote jungles and backwaters by jeep, plane and dugout canoe, impressed Brazilians by his outspoken sympathy and support. "I wish I were younger," he would say of Brazil. "I would like to see this country 40 years from now."

Last month Career Diplomat Dunn was nominated one of the U.S.'s first "five-star diplomats" with the rank of career ambassador.* Last week, at 65, Dunn announced plans to retire, effective July 1. Said President Eisenhower: "exceptionally capable service."

Worn by overwork and "feeling much below par," Clare Boothe Luce, 53, U.S. Ambassador to Italy, flew home last week for a checkup at Manhattan's Doctors Hospital. Said her physician: "Mrs. Luce is suffering from a chronic enteritis, which appears to be related to an infection of the liver which she had while abroad. She has, as well, a moderately severe iron-deficiency anemia, probably due to the same cause. She received one transfusion . . . and will require others. I have advised the ambassador not to return to her post for about two months. At that time I would anticipate complete recovery."