John R. Davis Jr.

Davis was first posted to Poland from 1960 to 1963, before returning again from 1973 to 1976.[7] During these trips, his children became fluent in Polish, and Davis became well-known.[8]

With the departure of Ambassador Francis J. Meehan during the imposition of martial law in Poland, and the subsequent Polish refusal to accept his announced successor, the United States lacked a permanent representative in Poland.[7] Thus, Davis was sent by President Reagan as the United States chargé d'affaires,[8] beginning in September.[9]

As chargé, Davis shepherded the movement toward democracy along: hosting leaders of Solidarity in his residence,[9] dealing with matters regarding economic sanctions relief,[10] meeting with Lech Wałęsa after the latter won the Nobel Peace Prize that year,[11] and fostering bilateral cooperation in exchange for amnesty of dissidents.[12]

In October 1987, President Reagan nominated Davis to permanently hold the position of United States Ambassador to Poland.[13] The 100th United States Congress accepted his nomination in February of the next year,[14] and, on March 18, Davis presented his diplomatic credentials, thus becoming the first permanent ambassador in five years.[7]

As ambassador, Davis continued his work with the democracy movement, cultivating a deeper relationship with Wałęsa,[15] helping bring Polish Round Table Agreement participants together, and increasing economic ties to the United States.[8]

Davis ended his service in Poland in July 1990, at the impending appointment of his successor, Thomas W. Simons Jr..[16] Davis received the Distinguished Honor Award; and took a year off to be a diplomat-in-residence at Yale University.[2]

In May 1990, George H. W. Bush appointed Davis as the United States Ambassador to Romania.[17] Davis presented his credentials on March 11, 1992, where he again nurtured democracy,[18] before leaving in August 1994.

During his time as ambassador, he had security concerns regarding Harold James Nicholson. His fears were well-founded. Later, it was discovered that Nicholson was spying for Russia. [19] The New York Times reported that Nicholson was "the highest-ranking C.I.A. official ever convicted of espionage."[20]