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2726261
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Ruffner, Willis E.
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2726261
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Ruffner, Willis E.
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Pre-Presidential Papers of Richard M. Nixon
General Correspondence
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MEMORANDUM OF SUGGESTION.
(For the information of the Vice President in the event
he elects to go to Italy).
The writer began to study Italian when in high school,
and after finishing law school and serving as secretary to
three Members of Congress, went to Rome as American Vice
Consul. He later became American Vice Consul in Charge and
also a career officer of the Foreign Service of the United
States. Upon his return from Italy, he entered the practice
of law with his former chief, the late Congressman Curtis
H. Gregg, of Pennsylvania. He reads, writes and speaks Italian
fluently. For many years he was the only old-line American
representing Italian clients in the courts of Pennsylvania
and speaking their language. He at one time served as principal
of the Americanization School, sponsored by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, at Greensburg, Pa.
The writer believes he knows a suitable person to accompany
the Vice President to the land of the smartest diplomats in the
world. The writer has in mind a former career officer of the
State Pepartment, a Protestant, who holds the Silver Star of
St. John Lateran from His Holiness the Pope, as well as the
highest decoration now conferred by the Republic of Italy on
foreigners. This man is one of the founders of the OSS and
would, I believe, be recommended by Allen Dulles and David
Pruce. He recently wrote a report on the Italian elections
for the CIA. He is a friend of Don Sturzo, Palvemini, Mario
Scelba, the leader of the Catholic Party, Pacciardi, former
Minister of Defense, whose house guest this man was in Rome.
This man is personally known by Sherman Adams and is a former
Member of the Legislature of New Hampshire. He reads, writes
and speaks Italian fluently.
Respectfully submitted:
Willis Ruffner
2929 Connecticut Avenue
Washington
March 29, 1953
DUpont 7-7062
Earl Brennan
Keane, N.H.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum