Warren Atherton

Warren Atherton (December 28, 1891 – March 7, 1976) was an American attorney who served as the National Commander of The American Legion from 1943 to 1944. He is widely recognized as a designer of the G.I. Bill, officially known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944.[1][2]

Warren Atherton
Born
Warren Hendry Atherton

(1891-12-28)December 28, 1891
San Francisco, California
DiedMarch 7, 1976(1976-03-07) (aged 84)
Stockton, California
NationalityAmerican
OccupationAttorney
Known forDesigner of the G.I. Bill
TitleNational Commander of
The American Legion
Term1943 – 1944
PredecessorRoane Waring
SuccessorEdward N. Scheiberling
Spouse(s)
Anne Holt Atherton
​
​
(m. 1917⁠–⁠1951)​
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Captain
Battles/warsWorld War I

Early life

Born in San Francisco, California, Warren Hendry 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.[1] 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.[1][3] 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.[3][4] 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.[4]

The American Legion

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.[5][6] At the 1944 American Legion National Convention in Chicago, Atherton presented the Legion's Distinguished Service Medal to Henry Ford II in honor of his grandfather Henry Ford's achievements.

Later life

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).[4][3] He died in 1976 and was buried from Morris Chapel at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, where his papers are housed today.[1][4]

References
  1. Judge Warren H. Atherton, History of San Joaquin County, California, Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923. p. 1271
  2. "Our Documents - Servicemen's Readjustment Act (1944)".
  3. Register of the Warren H. Atherton Papers, 1891-1976
  4. "Register of the Warren H. Atherton Papers, 1891-1976".
  5. "Berkeley Daily Gazette - Google News Archive Search".
  6. "Warren H. Atherton to Harry W. Colmery - Kansas Memory".
Non-profit organization positions
Preceded by
Roane Waring		 National Commander of The American Legion
1943 – 1944		 Succeeded by
Edward N. Scheiberling
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