Bernard W. Kearney

Pat Kearney
Pat Kearney
	Kearney as a Member of Congress in 1944
Member of the; U.S. House of Representatives; from New 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 of Fulton County, New York
	In office; January 1, 1931 – December 31, 1942
Preceded by	Edward K. Cassedy
Succeeded by	Willard L. Best
Personal details
Born	May 23, 1889; Ithaca, New York, U.S.
Died	June 3, 1976 (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; 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 a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from New York. Kearney served on the U.S. House of Representatives' Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) during the Cold War.

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A native of Ithaca, New York, and a graduate of Albany Law School, in 1914, Kearney began a practice in Gloversville. He enlisted in the New York National Guard in 1909, and took part in the 1916 border patrol mission that was part of the Pancho Villa Expedition. During World War I he completed officer training, received a commission, and served in France as a member of the 27th Division. Kearney was prominent in veterans affairs, and served as National Commander of the Veterans 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. During World War II, Kearney served in the New 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 the GI 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 of Canandaigua, New York, and Venice, Florida. He died in Venice in 1976, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Kearney was born in Ithaca, New York, on May 23, 1889,^[1] the son of Patrick B. Kearney, a clothier, and Josephine M. (Oster) Kearney.^[2] He graduated from Albany Law School in 1914, where he was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity, and became an attorney in Gloversville.^[3]

He served in the New 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 with Mexico during the Pancho Villa Expedition, attended Officer Training School at Fort Niagara and received his commission in 1917.^[5]^[6]

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Kearney practiced law in Hamilton and Fulton Counties. He was the City Judge of Gloversville from 1920 to 1924. He served as Assistant District Attorney of Hamilton County from 1924 to 1929, and Fulton County from 1929 to 1931. He was Fulton County District Attorney from 1931 to 1942.^[7]

Kearney served in France as a member of units in the 27th Division during World War I, and saw combat at St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne.^[8] He received the French Legion of Honor (Officer) and Croix de Guerre.^[9]^[10]

Thumb — Kearney at time of appointment to command New York's 53rd Brigade.

He continued his National Guard service after the war, commanding the 105th Infantry Regiment as a colonel,^[11] and the 53rd Brigade as a brigadier general.^[12] He retired from the National Guard in 1940.^[13]

Active in veterans organizations, Kearney served as National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars from 1936 to 1937.^[14]

During World War II Kearney commanded a brigade in the New 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 and 42nd Infantry Divisions were fielded in New York as part of the National Guard's post-war reorganization, Kearney was recalled from retirement, promoted to major 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 the House Un-American Activities Committee, and developed a reputation as a staunch anti-communist.^[19] His major legislative accomplishment was co-authorship and passage of the GI 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 the Civil Rights Act of 1957.^[21]

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Kearney did not run for reelection in 1958.^[22] In retirement he resided in Canandaigua, New York^[23] and Venice, Florida.^[24]

In 1959 Congress passed special legislation authorizing Kearney to accept and wear the Philippine 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 the Japanese occupation of World War II.^[27]

He died in Venice on June 3, 1976.^[28] He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 30, Grave 352.^[29]

List of members of the House Un-American Activities Committee

[1]
Williams Press, The New York Red Book, Volumes 56-59; Volume 63, 1947, page 639
[2]
S. J. Clarke, History of the Mohawk Valley, Gateway to the West, 1614-1925, 1925, page 418
[3]
Delta Chi Fraternity, Delta Chi Quarterly, Volume 12, 1914, page 429
[4]
The New York National Guardsman, Commands 53rd Brigade: Brigadier General Bernard W. Kearney, August 1937, page 7
[5]
Georgina Pell Curtis, Benedict Elder, editors, The American Catholic Who's Who, Volume 5; Volumes 7-9; Volumes 11-20, 1939, page 217
[6]
The Otsego Farmer, Know Your Candidates: Bernard W. Kearney, November 1, 1956
[7]
Williams Press, The New York Red Book, Volumes 56-59; Volume 63, 1947, page 826
[8]
Commands 53rd Brigade, page 7
[9]
Johnstown-Gloversville Leader-Republican, Congressman Kearney to Resign as Brigadier General in Guard, January 29, 1943
[10]
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Foreign Service, Volumes 25-26, 1937, page 20
[11]
J.B. Lyon Company, New York State Legislative Documents, Volume 1, Issues 1-12, 1938, page 43
[12]
New York Times, Col. Kearney Promoted: Will Be Brigadier General in Command of Troy and Brooklyn Units, June 18, 1937
[13]
Army and Navy Journal, Inc., Army and Navy Journal, Volume 78, Issues 1-26, 1940, page 54
[14]
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Past Commanders-in-Chief Archived 2010-06-17 at the Wayback Machine, 2010, page 1
[15]
Williams Press, Public Papers of Thomas E. Dewey, 1946, page 580
[16]
Associated Press, Schenectady Gazette, Will Organize Two Divisions, Fighter Wing, February 15, 1947
[17]
New York Times, Guard Leader Retires: Maj. Gen. B. W. Kearney Is Put on Reserve List, June 5, 1948
[18]
New York Times, Kearney to Retire: Upstate Member Will Leave the House After 16 Years, April 29, 1958
[19]
Boston Globe, Obituary, Ex-Rep. Bernard Kearney, GI Bill of Rights co-author, June 5, 1976
[20]
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Annual meeting Proceedings, 1959, pages 12-13
[21]
"HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957". GovTrack.us.
[22]
Bill Becker, New York Times, House Seats Lost by G.O.P. Upstate, November 5, 1958
[23]
John R. Moore, Schenectady Gazette, Colonie, Albany and More, July 23, 1970
[24]
U.S. House of Representatives, Congressional Record: Remarks of Samuel S. Stratton Volume 122, Part 14, 1976, page 16633
[25]
Amsterdam Evening-Recorder, Stratton Backing Bill to Authorize Kearney Citation, July 10, 1959
[26]
U.S. Government Printing Office, Private Law 86-208, An Act to Authorize Major General Bernard W. Kearney, to Accept and Wear the Philippine Legion of Honor in the Degree of Commander, September 21, 1959, page 1
[27]
Troy Times-Record, Philippines Honor Rep. Kearney, March 5, 1953
[28]
New York Times, Ex-Rep. Kearney, 87, is Dead in Florida, June 3, 1976
[29]
Arlington National Cemetery Grave Locator, retrieved September 27, 2013

United States Congress. "Bernard W. Kearney (id: K000030)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2009-05-08
A film clip "Longines Chronoscope with Bernard W. "Pat" Kearney" is available for viewing at the Internet Archive
Generals of World War II

More information U.S. House of Representatives ...

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Frank Crowther	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 30th congressional district 1943–1945	Succeeded by Jay LeFevre
Preceded by Clarence E. Kilburn	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 31st congressional district 1945–1953	Succeeded by Dean P. Taylor
Preceded by Leo W. O'Brien	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 32nd congressional district 1953–1959	Succeeded by Samuel S. Stratton

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[1] [1]
Williams Press, The New York Red Book, Volumes 56-59; Volume 63, 1947, page 639

[2] [2]
S. J. Clarke, History of the Mohawk Valley, Gateway to the West, 1614-1925, 1925, page 418

[3] [3]
Delta Chi Fraternity, Delta Chi Quarterly, Volume 12, 1914, page 429

[4] [4]
The New York National Guardsman, Commands 53rd Brigade: Brigadier General Bernard W. Kearney, August 1937, page 7

[5] [5]
Georgina Pell Curtis, Benedict Elder, editors, The American Catholic Who's Who, Volume 5; Volumes 7-9; Volumes 11-20, 1939, page 217

[6] [6]
The Otsego Farmer, Know Your Candidates: Bernard W. Kearney, November 1, 1956

[7] [7]
Williams Press, The New York Red Book, Volumes 56-59; Volume 63, 1947, page 826

[8] [8]
Commands 53rd Brigade, page 7

[9] [9]
Johnstown-Gloversville Leader-Republican, Congressman Kearney to Resign as Brigadier General in Guard, January 29, 1943

[10] [10]
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Foreign Service, Volumes 25-26, 1937, page 20

[11] [11]
J.B. Lyon Company, New York State Legislative Documents, Volume 1, Issues 1-12, 1938, page 43

[12] [12]
New York Times, Col. Kearney Promoted: Will Be Brigadier General in Command of Troy and Brooklyn Units, June 18, 1937

[13] [13]
Army and Navy Journal, Inc., Army and Navy Journal, Volume 78, Issues 1-26, 1940, page 54

[14] [14]
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Past Commanders-in-Chief Archived 2010-06-17 at the Wayback Machine, 2010, page 1

[15] [15]
Williams Press, Public Papers of Thomas E. Dewey, 1946, page 580

[16] [16]
Associated Press, Schenectady Gazette, Will Organize Two Divisions, Fighter Wing, February 15, 1947

[17] [17]
New York Times, Guard Leader Retires: Maj. Gen. B. W. Kearney Is Put on Reserve List, June 5, 1948

[18] [18]
New York Times, Kearney to Retire: Upstate Member Will Leave the House After 16 Years, April 29, 1958

[19] [19]
Boston Globe, Obituary, Ex-Rep. Bernard Kearney, GI Bill of Rights co-author, June 5, 1976

[20] [20]
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Annual meeting Proceedings, 1959, pages 12-13

[21] [21]
"HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957". GovTrack.us.

[22] [22]
Bill Becker, New York Times, House Seats Lost by G.O.P. Upstate, November 5, 1958

[23] [23]
John R. Moore, Schenectady Gazette, Colonie, Albany and More, July 23, 1970

[24] [24]
U.S. House of Representatives, Congressional Record: Remarks of Samuel S. Stratton Volume 122, Part 14, 1976, page 16633

[25] [25]
Amsterdam Evening-Recorder, Stratton Backing Bill to Authorize Kearney Citation, July 10, 1959

[26] [26]
U.S. Government Printing Office, Private Law 86-208, An Act to Authorize Major General Bernard W. Kearney, to Accept and Wear the Philippine Legion of Honor in the Degree of Commander, September 21, 1959, page 1

[27] [27]
Troy Times-Record, Philippines Honor Rep. Kearney, March 5, 1953

[28] [28]
New York Times, Ex-Rep. Kearney, 87, is Dead in Florida, June 3, 1976

[29] [29]
Arlington National Cemetery Grave Locator, retrieved September 27, 2013

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Bernard W. Kearney

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Early life and education

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Pat Kearney
Kearney as a Member of Congress in 1944

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New 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 of Fulton 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 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)