Charles B. Salmon, Jr. (born January 3, 1938) is a former diplomat who previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Laos. Education Salmon received a Bachelor of Arts in history from Fordham University (1959) and a Master of Arts in history from Columbia University (1960). He graduated from the National War College in 1978. Career Salmon served two years as a First Lieutenant in the US Army before becoming a career Foreign Service Officer. He served as Chargé d'Affaires in Laos from August 1989 to August 1992 before being appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Laos in July 1992. He left his post on July 26, 1993. After retiring from the State Department, Salmon joined the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in late August 1996 as a faculty member and Foreign Policy Advisor. In that role, he provided advice on U.S. foreign policy, specifically related to Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean area nations, until his departure in 2014. Salmon also previously served as Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commander in Chief of United States Indo-Pacific Command, Director of the Office of Philippine Affairs (1986–1989), and Director of the Office of Thailand and Burma Affairs (1985–1986) at the Department of State. He was Deputy Chief of Mission in Rangoon, Burma (1983–1985) and Wellington, New Zealand (1980–1983). He also served in Vienna, Saigon, the Hague and Manila. His awards include the Presidential Award for Meritorious Service, the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, and the Department of State Superior Honor Award. Salmon is currently an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the East-West Center. References Ambassadors of the United States to Laos‎