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Warren Hendry Atherton

Birth
San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, USA
Death
7 Mar 1976 (aged 84)
Stockton, San Joaquin County, California, USA
Burial
Burial Details Unknown Add to Map
Memorial ID
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FATHER OF THE GI BILL

Warren Atherton (born Warren Hendry Atherton; December 28, 1891 – March 7, 1976) was an American lawyer who served as the National Commander of The American Legion from 1943 to 1944. Atherton is widely recognized as a designer of the G.I. Bill, officially known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944.

Born in San Francisco, California, Atherton had no formal higher education. Nonetheless, at age 20, he went to work for the Stockton law office of H. R. McNoble in 1911. He served under General Pershing in France during World War I. Upon his return, he married Ann Holt, daughter of the founder of Caterpillar Inc. Benjamin Holt. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1913, and began his career as an attorney, eventually gaining notoriety as a Stockton City judge and local president of the Chamber of Commerce. He also worked as the general counsel for the California Department of Veterans Affairs and its preceding boards and commissions from 1935 to 1960. He was consultant to the Secretary of War and envoy to Nelson Rockefeller, Coordinator of International Affairs.

In 1943, as National Commander, Atherton joined Francis Sullivan in drafting the G.I. Bill, suggesting one bill be written that would consolidate the best features of many veteran bills then before Congress.

Atherton was a California Republican, and eventually served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1944, 1948, 1952. He also served on the California Board of Prison Terms and Paroles (1935–1937) and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate (1957). He died in 1976 and was buried from Morris Chapel at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, where his papers are housed today.

Through his ties and leadership within the American Legion, he was the author and ardent promoter of the G.I. Bill (Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944), which was eventually signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The above information from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Members of the American Legion GI Bill team in 1944 were: Lyon W. Brandon; Past National Commander Roane Waring; U.S. Rep. John Gibson of Georgia; Past National Commander Harry W. Colmery; Pat Kelly, Frank Riley; National Legislative Director Francis Sullivan, Past National Commander John Stelle; Dave Camelon of Hearst News Service; Sam Rorex; Publicity Director Jack Cejnar and National Rehabilitation Director T.O. Kraabel.
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Stockton, Calif. attorney, judge. Best known as National Commander of American Legion (1943) and father of G.I. Bill. Admitted to state bar (1913). Married Anne Holt, daughter of Benjamin Holt, developer of Caterpillar Tractor (1917). After service in World War I, Atherton became Stockton city judge, district attorney and president of chamber of commerce. Was involved in agriculture and in various business interests in San Joaquin County, Calif. Ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate (1957). Most extensive parts of this collection pertain to Atherton's American Legion Commandership. During this period, he was consultant to Secretary of War and envoy to Nelson Rockefeller, Coordinator of International Affairs.

From the description of Warren H. Atherton papers, 1921-1976. (University of the Pacific). WorldCat record id: 35299203


FATHER OF THE GI BILL

Warren Atherton (born Warren Hendry Atherton; December 28, 1891 – March 7, 1976) was an American lawyer who served as the National Commander of The American Legion from 1943 to 1944. Atherton is widely recognized as a designer of the G.I. Bill, officially known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944.

Born in San Francisco, California, Atherton had no formal higher education. Nonetheless, at age 20, he went to work for the Stockton law office of H. R. McNoble in 1911. He served under General Pershing in France during World War I. Upon his return, he married Ann Holt, daughter of the founder of Caterpillar Inc. Benjamin Holt. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1913, and began his career as an attorney, eventually gaining notoriety as a Stockton City judge and local president of the Chamber of Commerce. He also worked as the general counsel for the California Department of Veterans Affairs and its preceding boards and commissions from 1935 to 1960. He was consultant to the Secretary of War and envoy to Nelson Rockefeller, Coordinator of International Affairs.

In 1943, as National Commander, Atherton joined Francis Sullivan in drafting the G.I. Bill, suggesting one bill be written that would consolidate the best features of many veteran bills then before Congress.

Atherton was a California Republican, and eventually served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1944, 1948, 1952. He also served on the California Board of Prison Terms and Paroles (1935–1937) and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate (1957). He died in 1976 and was buried from Morris Chapel at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, where his papers are housed today.

Through his ties and leadership within the American Legion, he was the author and ardent promoter of the G.I. Bill (Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944), which was eventually signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The above information from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Members of the American Legion GI Bill team in 1944 were: Lyon W. Brandon; Past National Commander Roane Waring; U.S. Rep. John Gibson of Georgia; Past National Commander Harry W. Colmery; Pat Kelly, Frank Riley; National Legislative Director Francis Sullivan, Past National Commander John Stelle; Dave Camelon of Hearst News Service; Sam Rorex; Publicity Director Jack Cejnar and National Rehabilitation Director T.O. Kraabel.
************************************
Stockton, Calif. attorney, judge. Best known as National Commander of American Legion (1943) and father of G.I. Bill. Admitted to state bar (1913). Married Anne Holt, daughter of Benjamin Holt, developer of Caterpillar Tractor (1917). After service in World War I, Atherton became Stockton city judge, district attorney and president of chamber of commerce. Was involved in agriculture and in various business interests in San Joaquin County, Calif. Ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate (1957). Most extensive parts of this collection pertain to Atherton's American Legion Commandership. During this period, he was consultant to Secretary of War and envoy to Nelson Rockefeller, Coordinator of International Affairs.

From the description of Warren H. Atherton papers, 1921-1976. (University of the Pacific). WorldCat record id: 35299203




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