Will Rogers Jr.
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Will Rogers Jr. | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 16th district | |
In office January 3, 1943 – May 23, 1944 | |
Preceded by | Leland M. Ford |
Succeeded by | Ellis E. Patterson |
Personal details | |
Born | William Vann Rogers October 20, 1911 New York City, New York, U.S. |
Died | July 9, 1993 Tubac, Arizona, U.S. | (aged 81)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
Collier Connell (m. 1941) |
Children | 2 |
Parent |
|
Relatives | Jimmy Rogers (brother) |
Education | Stanford University (BA) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1942–1946 |
Unit | 893rd Tank Destroyer Battalion 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Bronze Star |
William Vann Rogers (October 20, 1911 – July 9, 1993), generally known as Will Rogers Jr., was an American politician, writer, and newspaper publisher. He was the eldest son of humorist Will Rogers (1879–1935) and Betty Blake Rogers (1879–1944). He was a Democratic U. S. Representative from California from January 3, 1943, until May 23, 1944, when he resigned to return to the United States Army.
Early life and military service
Rogers was born in New York City, where his father was performing. He grew up in Los Angeles, and attended school there. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University in 1935. On completing his studies, he served as publisher of the Beverly Hills Citizen newspaper, a role in which he continued until 1953. He had been commissioned a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, but did not go on active duty. With U.S. entry into World War II, however, he enlisted as a private in June 1942, and was commissioned in the field artillery the following month and assigned to the 893rd Tank Destroyer Battalion.
Congress and return to active duty
While on active duty, Rogers was elected to the House of Representatives from California, and was sworn into office on January 3, 1943. He served in the 78th Congress. He did not complete his term, however, returning to active duty in the Army after resigning from Congress on May 23, 1944.[1]
As part of his confidential 1943 report for the British government about the
A new-comer to the House. Son of a very celebrated father. A sincere and somewhat impassioned young man who believes strongly in the Wallace type of internationalism and in cooperation with the United Nations. A trifle callow and politically inexperienced, he will undoubtedly be a vigorous and enthusiastic champion of all-out post-war co-operation with the United Nations. His fervent adherence to the liberal ideals of the "New Republic" may tend to make him critical of the British Empire.[2]
After his resignation, Rogers was assigned to the 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion and served in the European campaign in
Postwar politics
Rogers was a delegate to the
Acting
Rogers had a minor career as an actor and was most noted for playing his father (whom he closely resembled), particularly in
Later years and death
In his later years, Rogers retired to his ranch at Tubac, Arizona. In poor health after suffering several strokes, having heart problems, and having had hip replacements, Rogers died by suicide in 1993 at the age of 81. He was buried next to his wife in the Tubac Cemetery. Rogers was survived by his two sons, Clem Adair Rogers and Carl Connell Rogers and his brother, James Rogers.[4][5]
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Will Rogers Jr. | 61,437 | 53.7 | |||
Republican | Leland M. Ford (incumbent) | 52,023 | 45.4 | |||
Communist | Allen L. Ryan | 1,043 | 0.9 | |||
Total votes | 114,503 | 100.0 | ||||
Turnout | {{{votes}}} | |||||
Democratic gain from Republican |
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Write-in | William F. Knowland (inc.)
|
425,273 | 74.31% | |
Write-in | Will Rogers Jr. | 90,723 | 15.85% | |
Write-in | George H. McLain | 17,883 | 3.13% | |
Write-in | Ellis E. Patterson | 3,889 | 0.68% | |
Write-in | Douglas Corrigan | 2,464 | 0.43% | |
Write-in | Vic Paulsen | 1,616 | 0.28% | |
Write-in | Moody Staten | 1,494 | 0.26% | |
Write-in | Hartley F. Peart | 1,383 | 0.24% | |
Write-in | George C. Highley | 1,268 | 0.22% | |
Write-in | James Moran | 918 | 0.16% | |
Write-in | Ben Rinaldo | 765 | 0.13% | |
Write-in | Aubrey D. Lewis | 519 | 0.09% | |
Write-in | Frank Merriam | 507 | 0.09% | |
Write-in | All others | 23,619 | 4.13% | |
Total votes | 572,321 | 100.00% |
See also
References
- ^ "Rogers, William Vann, Jr". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
- JSTOR 4634869. Archived from the original(PDF) on October 21, 2013.
- New York Times. July 11, 1993. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
- ^ Nazario, Sonia (1993). “Ailing Will Rogers Jr., 81, Commits Suicide : Obituary: Actor, journalist and former congressman worked to ensure his famous father's legacy. He had suffered two strokes and recently undergone hip implant surgery”, archives of the Los Angeles Times, July 11, 1993. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
- ^ 1942 election results
- ^ "Our Campaigns - CA US Senate Special". OurCampaigns. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
Bibliography
- Johnston, Lyle (2019). Standing on the Shadow: The Will Rogers, Jr. Story. Privately printed.
External links
- Rogers' World War II service at the History Net
- Profile of Rogers in the context of his efforts on behalf of Jews in World War II
- Will Rogers Jr. at IMDb
- United States Congress. "Will Rogers Jr. (id: R000406)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- William Vann "Bill" Rogers at Find a Grave