George Platt Waller Jr.

• Defiant Diplomat George Platt Waller: American Consul in Nazi-occupied Luxembourg 1939-1941 by George Platt Waller

George Platt Waller Jr. (September 7, 1889 – February 26, 1962) was an American diplomat and the United States Chargé d'Affaires in Luxembourg during World War II.

George Platt Waller Jr. was born to George Platt and Susan Theresa Jones in Montgomery, Alabama on September 7, 1889. He was home schooled and attended public school until he enrolled in Marion Military Institute in 1905 until 1907. Afterwards he attended the University of Virginia, graduating in 1912. He worked as a principal of a high school in Chilhowie, Virginia from 1912–1913. . . . Continued

During 1940 and 1041 visas granted by George Waller, United States Chargé d'Affaires in Luxembourg rescued a flood of Jewish refugees helping them to gain asylum in the United States.

Only days after the Battle of the Bulge ended on January 25, 1945, the U.S. reestablished its diplomatic presence in Luxembourg with the return of George Platt Waller, the American Chargé d’Affaires to Luxembourg who had been forced out by the Nazi invasion in 1940.

On June 24, 1948, Chargé Waller, shortly before he departed Luxembourg permanently, signed the documents sealing the purchase of the estate for the United States from the Government of Luxembourg for $155,000 ($1.3 million today).  Interestingly, the money used to buy the estate was provided by the Kingdom of Belgium as part of its repayment to the U.S. under the lend-lease program.  The Government of Luxembourg went on to use this money to repair houses damaged during the war.

The residence has been home to many prominent Americans, all privileged to serve as American envoys and ambassadors to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.