He was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1968 following his return from Hanoi. On retirement from SIS, Colvin advised David Rockefeller for eight years in Hong Kong as a vice-president of the Chase Manhattan Bank. He retired to London in 1988. Colvin wrote military history. His best-selling works were Not Ordinary Men, which examined the Battle of Kohima, and Decisive Battles, which looked at twenty crucial battles throughout history. He also published a memoir of his time in Hanoi and Ulan Bator called Twice Around the World. Personal life Colvin was an active member of several of London's gentlemen's clubs, the St James's Club, Brooks's, the Beefsteak, as well as, latterly, the Academy Club. Selected publications Twice Around the World: Some Memoirs of Diplomatic Life in North Vietnam and Outer Mongolia. London: Leo Cooper, 1991. Not Ordinary Men: The Story of the Battle of Kohima. London: L. Cooper, 1994. Heavily reprinted. Volcano Under Snow: Vo Nguyen Giap. London: Quartet Books, 1996. Nomonhan. London: Quartet Books, 1999. Decisive Battles: Over 20 Key Naval and Military Encounters from 480 BC to 1943. London: Headline, 2003. Notes References von Bulow, Claus, "John Colvin". The Independent, 16 October 2003. "John Colvin". The Telegraph, 8 October 2003. "http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article1167380.ece" Times Online, 8 October 2003. 1922 births 2003 deaths John Royal Navy personnel of World War II Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Mongolia Secret Intelligence Service personnel Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George British expatriates in Sri Lanka British expatriates in Vietnam British expatriates in Norway British expatriates in Austria British expatriates in the United States British expatriates in Malaysia