Ellsworth Bunker (1894-1984), who served the United States in various capacities under seven presidents, was without a doubt one of the most important American diplomats of the 20th century. His highly regarded skill as a worldwide troubleshooter landed him in the middle of some of the most politically complex situations of our time-most notably as ambassador to wartime South Vietnam, from 1967 to 1973. Bunker made other significant contributions as ambassador to India under Eisenhower, and in drawing up the Panama Canal treaties under Carter. For these efforts, he was twice awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction-one of which is included in this collection. Additional items include several commemorative souvenirs and presentations made to Bunker throughout his diplomatic career, plus three of his day planners used during the early 1970s.
The highlight of the collection is a Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction awarded to Ellsworth Bunker. The three-inch badge features a white enamel star with its points interspersed with golden eagles, each standing on a red enamel triangle. The central disc boasts a constellation of 13 gold stars set in a field of blue, surrounded by a gold rim. The reverse of the medal is inscribed "Presidential Medal of Freedom, Ellsworth Bunker," and bears the unique serial number "D-17." Complete with its broad blue-and-white grosgrain shoulder sash finished at the hip with a rosette boasting the enameled 13-star constellation; service ribbon bar in blue and white surmounted with a gold eagle; a miniature medal pendant (engraved "E.B." on the reverse) with gold eagle appurtenance for wear in mess dress; and a gold lapel emblem with narrow blue ribbon for wear on civilian clothes. All are housed within the original walnut case, lined in satin and velvet, inset with a medallion of the seal of the United States on the lid. A lapel pin featuring the Seal of the President of the United States is also present.
Other items include:
A miniature silver model of a sugarcane mill, engraved on the base: "Presented to His Excellency Mrs. Ellsworth Bunker, American Ambassador to India on the occasion of his visit to Upper Ganges Sugar Mills Limited, Seohara, 24th January 1958."
Two silver commemorative trowels presented to Ellsworth Bunker in association with his participation in cornerstone-laying ceremonies in India, with engraved presentations for the American Consulate General staff Apartment Building (July 8, 1960) and the School of Basic Sciences and Humanities of the U.P. Agricultural University (November 17, 1960).
Three silver items presented to Mrs. Ellsworth Bunker for her participation in the cornerstone ceremonies for the Y.W.C.A. in New Delhi: a silver 10.75" bowl with engraved inscription at center, "To Commemorate the Laying of the Foundation Stone for the New Building for the Y.W.C.A. New Delhi by Mrs. Ellsworth Bunker on 12th March 1961"; a trowel with engraved presentation to Mrs. Bunker of the same date; and a smaller silver tool, simply marked "Y.W.C.A. New Delhi."
Two silver platters presented with engraved inscriptions to Bunker: a 14" Gorham sterling silver Chippendale platter with engraved inscription dated September 25, 1963, "To Ellsworth Bunker, from the Directors of the General Baking Company, in appreciation of the valuable services he has rendered to the company during his many years as a director"; and a 14" platter presented to him in November 1966 by friends and colleagues of the "Consejo de la Organizacion de los Estados Americanos," with etched signatures.
Three leatherbound pocket planners for the years 1972, 1973, and 1974, all monogrammed "E.B." on the front, rather sparsely filled out. Some noteworthy entries in Bunker's own hand include "Left Saigon" on May 11, 1973, his last day as ambassador to South Vietnam; a series of trips between Jerusalem, Damascus, and Geneva in May-June 1974 during negotiations to end the Yom Kippur War; and a "White House Dinner for King Hussein" on August 16, 1974. Noteworthy addresses and phone numbers recorded in these planners, most of which are accomplished in an assistant's hand, include Lyndon B. Johnson, Henry Kissinger, John Kenneth Galbraith, and W. Averell Harriman.
