Warren Atherton | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Warren Hendry Atherton (1891-12-28)December 28, 1891 |
| Died | March 7, 1976(1976-03-07) (aged 84) Stockton, California, US |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Known for | Designer of theG.I. Bill |
| Title | National Commander of The American Legion |
| Term | 1943 – 1944 |
| Predecessor | Roane Waring |
| Successor | Edward N. Scheiberling |
| Spouse | |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
Warren Hendry Atherton (December 28, 1891 – March 7, 1976) was an Americanattorney who was the national commander of TheAmerican Legion from 1943 to 1944.[1] He is widely recognized as a designer of theG.I. Bill, officially known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944.[2][3]
Born inSan Francisco, California, the son of Dwight Copeland Atherton and Elizabeth Hendry,[4] he is a direct descendant ofJames Atherton, one of the first settlers ofNew England, who arrived inDorchester, Massachusetts, in the 1630s.[5]
Atherton received no formal higher education. Nonetheless, at age 20, he went to work for the Stockton law office of H. R. McNoble in 1911.[2]
After serving under GeneralJohn J. Pershing in France duringWorld War I, he was admitted to theCalifornia State Bar in 1913, and began his career as an attorney, eventually gaining notoriety as a Stockton City judge and local president of theChamber of Commerce.[6][7]
He also worked as the general counsel for the California Department of Veterans Affairs and its preceding boards and commissions from 1935 to 1960, and served on the California Board of Prison Terms and Paroles (1935–1937). He served as California State Commander in the 1930s.[8]
During 1943, Atherton was a consultant to theSecretary of War and envoy toNelson Rockefeller, coordinator of international affairs.[7] He was vocal against strikes during wartime, clashing with the U.S. labor leader,William Green.[9] He had promoted this stance since 1941 when he was part of the American Legion defence committee.[10]
He served as National Commander of The American Legion from 1943 to 1944. In 1943, he joined Francis Sullivan in drafting the G.I. Bill, suggesting onebill be written that would consolidate the best features of many veteran bills then beforeCongress. Atherton had to overcome opposition by RepresentativeJohn E. Rankin, a Mississippi Democrat and segregationist, who at first co-sponsored the bill, but then opposed it.[11] The Bill passed through Congress in 1944 in a bipartisan effort led by Atherton as Head of his the American Legion, who wanted to reward practically all wartime veterans.[12][13]
Atherton was a supporter of Universal service which he believed was needed to shortenWorld War II.[14] At the 1944 American Legion National Convention in Chicago, Atherton presented the Legion's Distinguished Service Medal toHenry Ford II in honor of his grandfatherHenry Ford's achievements. During this period he toured Australia, the Pacific and Latin America.[15][16]
Atherton was a staunch CaliforniaRepublican, and served as delegate to theRepublican National Convention in1944,1948 and1952. Controversially, he supported the idea of deportation of Japanese nationals at the end of World War II.[17]
As chairman of the Republican Veterans League, theRepublican National Committee announced in 1948 his appointment as chairman of the advisory committee of the Republican Veterans for Dewey and Warren.[18]The New York Times reported on July 24, 1953, his appointment to the reconstituted National Security Training Commission.[19]
In 1957, he ran unsuccessfully for theUnited States Senate.[7][6][20] He withdrew from the race and endorsedGoodwin Knight who subsequently lost the Senate race by over 10% toClair Engle.[21]
Upon his return from World War I, he married Anne Holt, daughter of the founder ofCaterpillar Inc. and inventor,Benjamin Holt.[2][6][7] He lived with his family onAtherton Island[22] and was a Rotary member.[23] A fete attended by over 300 people was marked in his honor to commemorate his 80th birthday in 1971.[24]
Atherton died on March 7, 1976, and his service was at theUniversity of the Pacific Morris Chapel. His papers are preserved and made available for research in the University's Holt-Atherton Special Collections and Archives.[2][7][25]
He was listed inWho's Who in Commerce and Industry andWho’s Who in America”.[26]
TheSan Joaquin Delta College campus has the Warren Atherton Auditorium, a 1,428-seat performance venue where concerts are hosted.[27] Notable annual musicals are held at this venue, as well as regular performances by theStockton Symphony.
| Non-profit organization positions | ||
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| Preceded by Roane Waring | National Commander ofThe American Legion 1943 – 1944 | Succeeded by Edward N. Scheiberling |
National commanders ofThe American Legion | |
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| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
