The Foreign Service Journal, March 2016

44 MARCH 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL July 7, 1954 Was I ever flabbergasted. …They have in mind transfer- ring me after home leave to Rangoon, Burma. I’ve read the post report, and it sounds fascinating. The thought of a trip halfway around the world is stimulating as hell after three years waiting for it! There are three girls stationed here now who have been to Bangkok, and loved it and say they’d give anything for my assignment. Naturally, I’ve never even given Burma the slightest thought before, so it is all new to me. Assignment Rangoon: 1955 Secretary to the ambassador January 19, 1955 I don’t think I’d be able to ever keep a job in an office like some people do for years and years as the only thing that keeps me interested in working is the traveling around to different spots. … I do have the sweetest boss [Ambassador Joseph C. Satterthwaite] right now—he looks like Mr. Peepers on TV—and it is always a pleasure to work for someone with brains—so many have none. February 25, 1955 [Secretary] Dulles arrives tomorrow and I’m on duty all day. Have to go out to the plane to meet him and record all his pearls of wisdom. Then press conference. I have an engraved invitation from the President of Burma to a Garden Party also. My first Chief of State invite. All is bedlam here in preparedness. On top of that [Member of Congress] Chester Bowles is here and Senator Margaret Chase Smith arrives Monday. [From April 14, 2000, Cofer interview with Desilet] I went with other embassy officials to the airport to greet Dulles. He descended the stairs of the plane with 7 or 8 men, and “they were all drunk.” He brought his own secretary, Phyllis. Dulles held a press conference. During that time, his secretary informed me she was in Burma as a tourist. I had no previous experience of taking I find that people who travel around a lot— and this has helped me considerably—can take people as they come and appreciate the good things in them instead of always tearing them apart and being critical. EFFICIENCY REPORT: December 1, 1952 The conduct and deportment of this employee is outstanding and fully representative of the highest standards of the Foreign Service. She represents the best type of American young lady: sensible, stable, cheerful and loyal. Her devotion and dependability to her job is one of the strongest supports to her superior. … Miss Desilet could fill any position of a secretarial nature or as a competent assistant to an officer at any post. She has initiative, judgment and foresight of a high degree, which enables her to adapt herself intel- ligently to any problem. … She is mature, competent in her work, stable and devoted. Her conduct within and outside the embassy shows her to be a young lady of fine background, high moral standards and sound character. Her constant cheerfulness and good humor, even under trying conditions, makes it a pleasure to work with her and to have to depend upon. She would do well in a secretarial position requiring a high degree of competence, loyalty and understanding of the basic ideals of the Foreign Service. —Franklin W. Wolf, Economic Counselor, Embassy Caracas