Robert John Fleming
Encyclopedia
Robert John Fleming was Governor of the Panama Canal Zone
from 1962 to 1967 although his largely successful tenure was marred in 1964 by the issue over whether the Panamanian Flag should be flown alongside the Panama Canal Zone Flag on public buildings. This issue escalated while he was on a political trip to the United States and on 9 January 1964 riots broke out across the country that left at least 25 people dead including three U.S. soldiers.
Born in Fort Robinson
Nebraska
on the 13 January 1907 to Robert John and Augusta Fleming, Fleming attended the United States Military Academy at West Point
, graduating in 1928 before earning an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
in 1931. He remained in the United States Army
as an engineering officer until 1954, his World War II
service including duty in the Pacific Theater before a series of staff posts in Washington D.C. and Virginia. After a period in public service that included a three year sojourn in public service in France, Fleming was appointed by President John F. Kennedy
as Governor of the Panama Canal Zone
in 1962.
In 1964 Fleming watered down a directive issued by Kennedy stipulating that the Panamanian national flag should be flown alongside that of the US-administered Canal Zone on public buildings within the zone. Fleming, in an effort to defuse the tensions caused by this ruling, changed it so that no flags would be flown. This move angered more people than the previous one, and when Fleming was on board a flight over the Caribbean, students at Balboa high school raised the Canal Zone flag over their school and resisted efforts to either remove it or add the Panamanian one alongside. From these beginnings began a riot partly caused by the over-reaction of the local Zonian police who were without guidance from the Governor's office on how to proceed. The army were eventually called in to calm the situation, but not before 25 people were dead. This is now known as Martyr's Day in Panama and is a public holiday.
Fleming was not held responsible for the events and remained in place until 1967 when he retired to take up a position as Executive Vice President for a company in Boston
, Massachusetts
. His tenure in charge had also seen the most comprehensive survey of the canal with the intention of widening it, the inauguration of the Panama Canal Spillway newspaper and the opening of the Thatcher Ferry Bridge. He died on the 14 July 1984.
, the Bronze Star
, the Army Commendation Medal, the Order of the White Lion
from Czechoslovakia
, the Légion d'honneur
from France and the Grand Cross Nuñez de Balboa from Panama for his various and varied public services.
Robert John Fleming (January 13, 1907 - July 14, 1984) was Governor of the Panama Canal Zone from 1962 to 1967 although his largely successful tenure was marred in 1964 by the issue over whether the Panamanian Flag should be flown alongside the Panama Canal Zone Flag on public buildings. This issue escalated while he was on a political trip to the United States and on 9 January 1964 riots broke out across the country that left at least 25 people dead including three U.S. soldiers.
Born in Fort Robinson Nebraska on the 13 January 1907 to Robert John and Augusta Fleming, Fleming attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1928 before earning an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1931. He remained in the United States Army as an engineering officer until 1954, his World War II service including duty in the Pacific Theater before a series of staff posts in Washington D.C. and Virginia. After a period in public service that included a three year sojourn in public service in France, Fleming was appointed by President John F. Kennedy as Governor of the Panama Canal Zone in 1962.
In 1964 Fleming altered the directive issued by Kennedy agreeing that the Panamanian national flag should be flown alongside that of the US-administered Canal Zone on public buildings within the zone. Fleming, in an effort to defuse the tensions caused by this ruling, changed it so that no flags would be flown. This move angered more people than the previous one, and when Fleming was on board a flight over the Caribbean, students at Balboa high school raised the Canal Zone flag over their school and resisted efforts to either remove it or add the Panamanian one alongside. Lieutenant Governor David S. Parker in charge of the Canal Zone and the US embassy in Panama City. From these beginnings began a riot partly caused by the over-reaction of the local Zonian police. The army were eventually called in to calm the situation, but not before 25 people were dead, the deaths of which were not as a result of the military. This is now known as Martyr's Day in Panama and is a public holiday.
Fleming was not held responsible for the events and remained in place until 1967 when he retired to take up a position as Executive Vice President for a company in Boston, Massachusetts. His tenure in charge had also seen the most comprehensive survey of the canal with the intention of widening it, the inauguration of the Panama Canal Spillway newspaper and the opening of the Thatcher Ferry Bridge. He died on the 14 July 1984.
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
from 1962 to 1967 although his largely successful tenure was marred in 1964 by the issue over whether the Panamanian Flag should be flown alongside the Panama Canal Zone Flag on public buildings. This issue escalated while he was on a political trip to the United States and on 9 January 1964 riots broke out across the country that left at least 25 people dead including three U.S. soldiers.
Born in Fort Robinson
Fort Robinson
Fort Robinson is a former U.S. Army fort and a present-day state park. Located in the Pine Ridge region of northwest Nebraska, it is west of Crawford on U.S. Route 20.- History :...
Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
on the 13 January 1907 to Robert John and Augusta Fleming, Fleming attended the United States Military Academy at West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, graduating in 1928 before earning an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
in 1931. He remained in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
as an engineering officer until 1954, his World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
service including duty in the Pacific Theater before a series of staff posts in Washington D.C. and Virginia. After a period in public service that included a three year sojourn in public service in France, Fleming was appointed by President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
as Governor of the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
in 1962.
In 1964 Fleming watered down a directive issued by Kennedy stipulating that the Panamanian national flag should be flown alongside that of the US-administered Canal Zone on public buildings within the zone. Fleming, in an effort to defuse the tensions caused by this ruling, changed it so that no flags would be flown. This move angered more people than the previous one, and when Fleming was on board a flight over the Caribbean, students at Balboa high school raised the Canal Zone flag over their school and resisted efforts to either remove it or add the Panamanian one alongside. From these beginnings began a riot partly caused by the over-reaction of the local Zonian police who were without guidance from the Governor's office on how to proceed. The army were eventually called in to calm the situation, but not before 25 people were dead. This is now known as Martyr's Day in Panama and is a public holiday.
Fleming was not held responsible for the events and remained in place until 1967 when he retired to take up a position as Executive Vice President for a company in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. His tenure in charge had also seen the most comprehensive survey of the canal with the intention of widening it, the inauguration of the Panama Canal Spillway newspaper and the opening of the Thatcher Ferry Bridge. He died on the 14 July 1984.
Awards and decorations
His years of military and public service came with several awards. He was given the Legion of MeritLegion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, the Army Commendation Medal, the Order of the White Lion
Order of the White Lion
The Order of the White Lion is the highest order of the Czech Republic. It continues a Czechoslovak order of the same name created in 1922 as an award for foreigners....
from Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
, the Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
from France and the Grand Cross Nuñez de Balboa from Panama for his various and varied public services.
Robert John Fleming (January 13, 1907 - July 14, 1984) was Governor of the Panama Canal Zone from 1962 to 1967 although his largely successful tenure was marred in 1964 by the issue over whether the Panamanian Flag should be flown alongside the Panama Canal Zone Flag on public buildings. This issue escalated while he was on a political trip to the United States and on 9 January 1964 riots broke out across the country that left at least 25 people dead including three U.S. soldiers.
Born in Fort Robinson Nebraska on the 13 January 1907 to Robert John and Augusta Fleming, Fleming attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1928 before earning an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1931. He remained in the United States Army as an engineering officer until 1954, his World War II service including duty in the Pacific Theater before a series of staff posts in Washington D.C. and Virginia. After a period in public service that included a three year sojourn in public service in France, Fleming was appointed by President John F. Kennedy as Governor of the Panama Canal Zone in 1962.
In 1964 Fleming altered the directive issued by Kennedy agreeing that the Panamanian national flag should be flown alongside that of the US-administered Canal Zone on public buildings within the zone. Fleming, in an effort to defuse the tensions caused by this ruling, changed it so that no flags would be flown. This move angered more people than the previous one, and when Fleming was on board a flight over the Caribbean, students at Balboa high school raised the Canal Zone flag over their school and resisted efforts to either remove it or add the Panamanian one alongside. Lieutenant Governor David S. Parker in charge of the Canal Zone and the US embassy in Panama City. From these beginnings began a riot partly caused by the over-reaction of the local Zonian police. The army were eventually called in to calm the situation, but not before 25 people were dead, the deaths of which were not as a result of the military. This is now known as Martyr's Day in Panama and is a public holiday.
Fleming was not held responsible for the events and remained in place until 1967 when he retired to take up a position as Executive Vice President for a company in Boston, Massachusetts. His tenure in charge had also seen the most comprehensive survey of the canal with the intention of widening it, the inauguration of the Panama Canal Spillway newspaper and the opening of the Thatcher Ferry Bridge. He died on the 14 July 1984.