Akers had first met John F. Kennedy in World War II ; Akers ran the motor torpedo boat training squadron in Melville , Rhode Island where Kennedy trained . Kennedy campaigned for Akers in the latter 's 1956 bid for Congress , and Akers served as executive chairman of the NY Citizens ' Committee for Kennedy-Johnson in 1960 . On winning the presidency , Kennedy appointed Akers Ambassador to New Zealand in June 1961 , where he represented the United States until August 25 , 1963 . During his time in New Zealand , he tried to convince the ANZUS partner to send advisory personnel to the war in Vietnam . Akers returned to the USA intending to take over the job of Chief of Protocol from Angier Biddle Duke , working with Kennedy , but this was rendered moot by the President 's assassination . Akers returned to practising law , but assisted with the 1968 Presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy ; he was present at the Ambassador Hotel when Kennedy was assassinated
was assassinated
Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy
Anthony B. Akers