Pat Kearney | |
|---|---|
 Kearney as a Member of Congress in 1944 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York | |
| In office January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1959 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Crowther |
| Succeeded by | Samuel S. Stratton |
| Constituency | 30th district (1943–45) 31st district (1945–53) 32nd district (1953–59) |
| District Attorney ofFulton County, New York | |
| In office January 1, 1931 – December 31, 1942 | |
| Preceded by | Edward K. Cassedy |
| Succeeded by | Willard L. Best |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1889-05-23)May 23, 1889 Ithaca, New York, U.S. |
| Died | June 3, 1976(1976-06-03) (aged 87) Venice, Florida, U.S. |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Albany Law School |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Civilian awards | Philippine Legion of Honor |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army.svg) New York National Guard |
| Rank |  Major general |
| Unit | New York National Guard |
| Commands | 105th Infantry Regiment (NYNG) 53rd Brigade (NYNG) 27th Division (NYNG) |
| Battles/wars | Pancho Villa Expedition World War I World War II |
| Military awards | Legion of Honor (Officer) (France) Croix de Guerre (France) |
Bernard William "Pat"Kearney (May 23, 1889 – June 3, 1976) was aRepublican member of theUnited States House of Representatives fromNew York. Kearney served on the U.S. House of Representatives' Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) during the Cold War.
A native ofIthaca, New York, and a graduate ofAlbany Law School, in 1914, Kearney began a practice inGloversville. He enlisted in theNew York National Guard in 1909, and took part in the 1916 border patrol mission that was part of thePancho Villa Expedition. DuringWorld War I he completed officer training, received a commission, and served in France as a member of the27th Division. Kearney was prominent in veterans affairs, and served as National Commander of theVeterans of Foreign Wars from 1936 to 1937. He remained in the National Guard after the war, attained the rank of brigadier general, and retired in 1940. DuringWorld War II, Kearney served in theNew York Guard, and commanded a brigade. During the National Guard's post-World War II reorganization, he was recalled to service, promoted to major general, and assigned as commander of the 27th Infantry Division. He retired from the military again in 1948.
Active in local politics and government, beginning in 1920, Kearney served in legal offices including Gloversville city judge, assistant district attorney of Hamilton and Fulton Counties, and district attorney of Fulton County. In 1942, he was elected to the U.S. House. He was reelected seven times, and served from 1943 to 1959. In the House, Kearney was a prominent anti-communist and advocate for veterans. He co-authored and helped shepherd theGI Bill to passage, and was credited as the originator of the law's title.
Kearney did not run for reelection in 1958. In retirement he was a resident ofCanandaigua, New York, andVenice, Florida. He died in Venice in 1976, and was buried atArlington National Cemetery.
Kearney was born inIthaca, New York, on May 23, 1889,[1] the son of Patrick B. Kearney, a clothier, and Josephine M. (Oster) Kearney.[2] He graduated fromAlbany Law School in 1914, where he was a member of theDelta Chi fraternity, and became an attorney inGloversville.[3]
He served in theNew York National Guard from 1909 until 1917, first as a member of Company G, 2nd New York Infantry, and then with Troop B, 1st New York Cavalry.[4] He served on the border withMexico during thePancho Villa Expedition, attendedOfficer Training School atFort Niagara and received his commission in 1917.[5][6]
Kearney practiced law in Hamilton and Fulton Counties. He was the CityJudge of Gloversville from 1920 to 1924. He served as AssistantDistrict Attorney ofHamilton County from 1924 to 1929, andFulton County from 1929 to 1931. He was Fulton County District Attorney from 1931 to 1942.[7]
Kearney served inFrance as a member of units in the27th Division duringWorld War I, and saw combat atSt. Mihiel andMeuse-Argonne.[8] He received theFrenchLegion of Honor (Officer) andCroix de Guerre.[9][10]
He continued his National Guard service after the war, commanding the 105th Infantry Regiment as acolonel,[11] and the53rd Brigade as abrigadier general.[12] He retired from the National Guard in 1940.[13]
Active in veterans organizations, Kearney served as National Commander of theVeterans of Foreign Wars from 1936 to 1937.[14]
DuringWorld War II Kearney commanded a brigade in theNew York Guard, the volunteer organization that performed the New York National Guard's stateside functions while National Guard soldiers were serving overseas.[15]
When the 27th and42nd Infantry Divisions were fielded in New York as part of the National Guard's post-war reorganization, Kearney was recalled from retirement, promoted tomajor general, and assigned as commander of the 27th Division.[16] He retired again in 1948.[17]
Kearney was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1942, and served eight terms, January 3, 1943, to January 3, 1959.[18] He rose to become the ranking Republican member of theHouse Un-American Activities Committee, and developed a reputation as a staunchanti-communist.[19] His major legislative accomplishment was co-authorship and passage of theGI Bill to benefit veterans returning from World War II. Kearney was also given credit for having suggested the law's title.[20] Kearney voted in favor of theCivil Rights Act of 1957.[21]
Kearney did not run for reelection in 1958.[22] In retirement he resided inCanandaigua, New York[23] andVenice, Florida.[24]
In 1959 Congress passed special legislation authorizing Kearney to accept and wear thePhilippine Legion of Honor (Commander).[25][26] He received this award in 1953 to acknowledge his support for and efforts to boost the morale of the Philippine resistance during theJapanese occupation of World War II.[27]
He died in Venice on June 3, 1976.[28] He is buried inArlington National Cemetery, Section 30, Grave 352.[29]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 30th congressional district 1943–1945 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 31st congressional district 1945–1953 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 32nd congressional district 1953–1959 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
