Thomas P. Shoesmith

Thomas P. Shoesmith (1922 - April 26, 2007) was a career foreign services officer who served as the US Ambassador to Malaysia from December 12, 1983 until his retirement February 14, 1987.

Early life

Shoesmith graduated from Stroudsburg High School in 1939 and continued his education at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a bachelor's degree in education in 1943. He spent five years in the U.S. Army. When he returned, he attended Harvard and received a master's degree.

He entered the Army as a private in 1943 and in 1944, spent about a year at Yale University under the Army Specialized Training Program in the Japanese language program. Shortly afterwards, he entered the Japanese language program under the Military Intelligence Language School at the University of Michigan. When he finished, he was commissioned in 1945, sent to Japan as a Japanese language officer serving in the G-2 Section of SCAP [Supreme Commander, Allied Powers] for two years.

Career

He moved to Washington, DC to begin his career with the government. In 1955, he was inducted into the State Department Foreign Service, beginning a 32 year tenure with the Department. During his career, he served in Hong Kong, Korea and Japan. He was appointed ambassador to Malaysia in 1983.

He assigned to Hong Kong as a consular officer, also assigned to Macau. After two years, he was reassigned to the Political Office.

Death

Shoesmith died of cancer at his home in Springfield, Virginia and was survived by his wife, Martha Houser Shoesmith; two children Tom and Jo and grandchildren Julia and Michael.