The Foreign Service Journal, May 2020

B ehind each of the 250 names inscribed on the AFSA Memorial Plaques in the Department of State’s diplomatic entrance is the story of a colleague who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. This article does not recount those heroic, tragic or other inspira- tional stories; rather, it tells the story of the plaques themselves—their origin nearly a century ago, and the controversies in succeeding decades about who should be honored on them. Origins The U.S. Foreign Service was created on July 1, 1924, when the Rogers Act of May 24, 1924, took effect, merging the previ- ously separate consular and diplomatic services. AFSA was founded one month later when the six-year-old American Consular Association disbanded, and its members joined with their diplomatic colleagues to form AFSA. The Foreign Service Honor Roll John K. Naland, a retired FSO, is in his second term as AFSA retiree vice president and is a member of the Awards and Plaques Committee. He has also served as AFSA president (two terms) and AFSA State vice president. U.S. diplomats are on the front lines of America’s engagement with the world. Here is the history of AFSA’s work to pay tribute to the many who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. In January 1929, members of the young organization read in the American Foreign Service Journal (as this magazine was named until 1951) that the AFSA Executive Committee (the governing board of the day) had received a proposal to create an honor roll to be displayed at the Department of State. This would memorialize all American consular and diplomatic offi- cers who had died under tragic or heroic circumstances since the founding of the republic. The proponent, whose name was not given, listed 17 names for inscription. The Executive Com- mittee did not explicitly endorse the proposal, but did invite members to suggest additions or corrections. Letters came rolling in, and four months later the Journal published 29 more names. It also issued an invitation for additional submissions, and in February 1932 published an updated and consolidated list containing 53 names. Meanwhile, the Executive Committee took until March 1930 to appoint a committee to move forward on what they called the Memorial Tablet project. Its members were Journal Editor Augustus E. Ingram, Foreign Service Officer Pierre de Lagarde Boal and retired Consul General Horace Lee Washington. Completion took another three years. First, AFSA had to obtain approval from Secretary of State Henry L. Stim- son. Then Congress had to pass a joint resolution, signed by President Herbert Hoover, authorizing placement of the AFSA-owned memorial on government property. Next, AFSA FEATURE BY JOHN K . NALAND 44 MAY 2020 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL