Andrei Gromyko with President Truman and Josef Stalin at the Potsdam Conference

Andrei Gromyko's fluent English and in-deth knowledge of the United States led dictator Josef Stalin to name him ambassador to Washington in 1943 at the unheard age of 34. here, in 1945, Gromyko is seen on hand on the right as President Harry S. Truman (C, with glasses) visits Stalin (L) at the latter's temproary residence for the Potsdam (near Berlin), Germany, Conference held from July 17 till August 2, 1945 to decide about the fate of defeated Germany. (UPI Photo/Files)