Carl T. Rowan

Born on August 11, 1925, Carl T. Rowan spent his formative years in McMinnville. During World War II, at the age of 19, he won one of the first fifteen Navy commissions granted to African Americans. During President John F. Kennedy's Administration, Rowan served as Deputy Secretary of State, Ambassador to Finland and Representative to the United Nations. President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him as Director of the United States Information Agency in 1964. A newsman, author, diplomat, noted political columnist, and commentator. Carl T. Rowan died on September 23, 2000, in Washington, D.C.