Patrick J. Hurley
| Patrick J. Hurley | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 51st United States Secretary of War | |
|
In office December 9, 1929 – March 4, 1933 |
|
| President | Herbert Hoover |
| Preceded by | James W. Good |
| Succeeded by | George H. Dern |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Patrick Jay Hurley January 8, 1883 Indian Territory, U.S. (near present day Lehigh, Oklahoma) |
| Died | July 30, 1963 (aged 80) Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | George Washington UniversityIn 1948 he received the Constantine Sig award, the highest honor given for service and devotion to the Sigma Chi Fraternity. |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Purple Heart |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1914-1919; 1941-1945 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
Patrick Jay Hurley (January 8, 1883, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory — July 30, 1963, Santa Fe, New Mexico) was a highly decorated American soldier with the rank of Major General, statesman, and diplomat. He was the United States Secretary of War from 1929 to 1933.
A self-made man born in a log cabin, Hurley had worked as a coal miner and as a cowboy who had often hunted with Choctaw Indians during his teenage years before saving enough to go to college. Patrick Jay Hurley graduated from Indian University (now Bacone College) in 1905 and received his law degree from the National University School of Law, Washington, D.C. in 1908. He started a law practice in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1908. He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court in 1912 and was national attorney for the Choctaw Nation from 1912 to 1917. He received a second laws degree from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in 1913. At the same time as he was enjoying much success as a lawyer, Hurley had become active as a Republican in Oklahoma politics.
Hurley served in the Indian Territorial Volunteer Militia from 1902 to 1907, and in the Oklahoma National Guard, from 1914 to 1917. During World War I, Hurley served with the Judge Advocate General's Department of the 6th Army Corps, American Expeditionary Force in France. For his service in this capacity, Hurley received the Army Distinguished Service Medal.
In November 1918, Hurley was detached to the 76th Field Artillery Regiment and participated with this unit in the battles near Louppy-le-Château, France. Hurley voluntarily conducted a reconnaissance under heavy enemy fire and was subsequently awarded with Silver Star for gallantry in action.
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