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.
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 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]
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 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]
World War II
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]
Post World War II
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]
Congressional career
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]
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]
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