Washington. - The first US Ambassador to Armenia Harry J. Gilmore passed away in Virginia, Armenian News – NEWS.am correspondent in Washington reports.

Harry J. Gilmore was a retired Foreign Service officer. During his thirty-five years career in the United States Foreign Service he held a number of senior positions. Gilmore was appointed as the first US ambassador to Armenia in May 1993.

He also served as a Deputy Commandant for International Affairs of U.S. Army War College (1991-1992) and U.S. Minister and Deputy Commandant of the American Sector, Berlin (1987-1990). Gilmore greatly contributed to ensuring the safety of thousands of eastern Berliners, who moved to Southern Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

At the onset of his diplomatic career, Gilmore served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the American Embassy in Belgrade (1981-1985), and was the Deputy Director for Eastern European and Yugoslav Affairs at the State Department.

After his Foreign Service termination, Harry J. Gilmore worked at the Foreign Service Institute (1995-1997).