Personal and Family History
Lavalle was born in Detroit, Michigan and later raised in Grosse Pointe during his formative years. His natural father, Ramon Lavalle a/k/a Ramon Muniz Lavalle was a former Argentinean Diplomat and Journalist who served as Argentinean consulate to Japan during World War II before renouncing his citizenship and coming to the United States to work in U.S. intelligence operations for the Office of War Information.
Ramon Lavalle was also witness to war crimes by Japanese soldiers and officers and provided testimony to World War II War Crime Trials. Ramon Lavalle's grandfathers and Nye Lavalle's great-grandfathers were Juan Lavalle, former Argentine President, General, Governor of Buenos Aires Province, and an Argentinean folk-hero and Francisco Muniz, a prominent doctor in Buenos Aires. Both men are honored in their country by being buried in the world famous national cemetery of La Recoleta Cemetery. Juan Lavalle is furthered honored with one of the most famous plazas in Buenos Aires, Plaza Lavalle and the largest pedestrian street, Calle Lavalle. The world-famous Teatro Colón Opera House, national post office, and Argentina's Supreme Court surround the Plaza. Muniz is honored with Buenos Aires' major hospital being named Hospital Muniz.
Ramon Lavalle attended the London School of Economics where he befriended Labour Party leader Nye Bevan, Nye Lavalle's namesake. Lavalle's mother, Matilde Lavalle was born in Havana, Cuba where Ramon Lavalle met her during one of his frequent visits to lifelong friend, Ernest Hemingway, the author, at Hemingway's finca. Letters from Hemingway to Ramon Lavalle, stolen from Nye Lavalle, now reside in the Baker Collection at the John F. Kennedy Library. Both Hemingway and Ramon Lavalle, had a deep affection for and friendship with the late President and rumors circulate that each served their country in various intelligence roles in Cuba and around the world.
Matilde Lavalle years later remarried Anthony Pew and Mr. Pew later adopted Nye Lavalle, as his son. Nye Lavalle retained his natural father's last name.
Read more about this topic: Nye Lavalle
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