By Randy McNutt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON - Ambassador John E. Dolibois of Oxford has participated in history, and now he will be recognized for his work.

The former U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg will be awarded the first Michael J. Colligan History Prize at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Miami University Hamilton's Parrish Auditorium.

The prize recognizes a person who has been an influential history maker, writer or teacher.

"He is one of the most distinguished examples of the greatest generation," said Michael L. Carrafiello, director of the Colligan Project at Miami Hamilton. "We knew he had to be at the top of the list (of candidates)."

The former Hamilton resident served in military intelligence at the end of World War II, helping interrogate top Nazi war criminals for the post-war International War Crimes Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany.

Dr. Carrafiello said Mr. Dolibois has contributed generously to the Colligan project, helping in its goal to make the appreciation and study of history accessible and enriching for all members of the community.

"John's life and accomplishments are quite a story," said Jim Blount, a Hamilton historian and author. "And he has been very cooperative with schools and other organizations in helping to shed light on the Nazis he encountered at Nuremberg."

Mr. Dolibois, who is moving to Cincinnati, has lived in the region for many years, including in Oxford and Hamilton.

He was born in 1918 in Luxembourg, immigrated to the United States in 1931 and graduated from Miami University in Oxford in 1942 with a degree in psychology. He entered the Army and rose to the rank of captain.

In 1947, he returned to Oxford and became Miami's first full-time alumni director and later vice president for development and alumni affairs. He worked at Miami until 1981, when President Reagan appointed him ambassador to Luxembourg. He served until 1985 and became the first American ambassador to serve his native country.

In 1987, Miami's board of trustees named the university's Luxembourg campus the John E. Dolibois European Center, to honor him for his help in establishing the center in 1968.

In 1987, the grand duke of Luxembourg awarded Mr. Dolibois the Cross of the Grand Ducal Order of the Crown of Oak, Luxembourg's highest decoration.

"He has been an unselfish ambassador of history," Dr. Carrafiello said.

E-mail rmcnutt@enquirer.com