John Gordon Mein (September 10, 1913 – August 28, 1968) was the first United States ambassador to be assassinated while serving in office.[1]
John Gordon Mein | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Ambassador to Guatemala | |
| In office September 22, 1965 – August 28, 1968 | |
| President | Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Preceded by | John O. Bell |
| Succeeded by | Nathaniel Davis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 10, 1913 |
| Died | August 28, 1968 (aged 54) Guatemala City, Guatemala |
| Resting place | Rock Creek Cemetery Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Profession | Diplomat |
Mein served as the United States Ambassador to Guatemala during the Guatemalan Civil War. It was during his tenure that alleged U.S.-backed state terrorism which started after the 1954 Guatemalan coup d'état greatly accelerated with forced disappearances and massacres.[2] He was shot by rebels belonging to the Rebel Armed Forces (FAR) one block from the U.S. consulate on Avenida Reforma in Guatemala City on August 28, 1968. U.S. officials believed that FAR intended to kidnap him in order to negotiate an exchange, but instead they shot him when he attempted to escape.[3] The rebels had killed two U.S. military aides prior to the assassination of Mein.[4]
He is buried at Rock Creek Cemetery, in Washington, D.C.