After Princeton he served as a lieutenant (junior grade) in the Navy on two Atlantic ships until 1956. While in the Navy he passed the Foreign Service exam and for his first assignment was sent to the embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He went on to other risky assignments in Africa, including the Congo.
During the Vietnam War Ed was assistant to Secretary of State Dean Rusk. There followed other prestigious posts to NATO, the London embassy, and as ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
After retiring Ed lived with his wife, Priscilla, in London, France, and New York, where he was a business consultant and board member for a number of important charities.
Ed died April 16, 2019. He is survived by Priscilla; and their children, E. James III ’80, Elinor, and Abigail. The class extends sincere condolences to them all, with a salute to Ed for his exceptional service to our nation, military and diplomatic.