State Department Commendations, 1953 - 1965

The Samuel D. Berger Papers consist of 1 box (1.5 linear feet) and 1 oversize box of correspondence, manuscript material, photographs, and miscellany pertaining to Mr. Berger's concern with the study of labor unions and his years in the U.S. Foreign Service. The collection offers an interesting look at Berger's career in the Foreign Service, from his college days to his service in Vietnam, as well as glimpses into the affairs of the countries in which he served.

Among the correspondence in the collection, which is arranged by subject within a framework of years, are letters from such notable individuals as Richard Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Abraham Ribicoff, and Langdon Post, as well as many U.S. and foreign diplomatic officials. Some of the more informative correspondence is that written by Berger to his wife, Margaret, while he was working for the Lend-Lease mission. The letters tell quite a bit about the War from London's standpoint and were obviously censored (words and lines simply cut out). Also interesting are the New Zealand letters which discuss affairs in Tokyo and allude to Berger's controversial transfer from that embassy.

The oversize box contains commissions and honors given to Berger with signatures including Presidents Kennedy, Truman, and Eisenhower, King George VI, and Ernest Bevin. The remainder of the collection is concerned mainly with photographs of Korea and Berger's incomplete dissertation on the AFL-CIO.