Patrick J. Hurley
American diplomat and politician / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Patrick Jay Hurley (January 8, 1881 – July 30, 1963) was an American politician and diplomat. He was the United States Secretary of War from 1929 to 1933, but is best remembered for being Ambassador to China in 1945, during which he was instrumental in getting Joseph Stilwell recalled from China and replaced with the more diplomatic General Albert Coady Wedemeyer. A man of humble origins, Hurley's lack of what was considered to be a proper ambassadorial demeanor and mode of social interaction made professional diplomats scornful of him. He came to share pre-eminent army strategist Wedemeyer's view that the Chinese Communists could be defeated and America ought to commit to doing so even if it meant backing the Kuomintang and Chiang Kai-shek to the hilt. Frustrated, Hurley resigned as Ambassador to China in 1945, publicised his concerns about high-ranking members of the State Department, and alleged they believed that the Chinese Communists were not totalitarians and that America's priority was to avoid allying with a losing side in the civil war.
Patrick Hurley | |
---|---|
United States Ambassador to China | |
In office November 17, 1944 – November 27, 1945 | |
President | Franklin D. Roosevelt Harry S. Truman |
Preceded by | Clarence E. Gauss |
Succeeded by | Leighton Stuart |
United States Minister to New Zealand | |
In office April 24, 1942 – August 12, 1942 | |
President | Franklin D. Roosevelt |
Preceded by | Position established |
Succeeded by | William C. Burdett |
51st United States Secretary of War | |
In office December 9, 1929 – March 4, 1933 | |
President | Herbert Hoover |
Preceded by | James Good |
Succeeded by | George Dern |
Personal details | |
Born | Patrick Jay Hurley (1883-01-08)January 8, 1883 Lehigh, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, U.S. |
Died | July 30, 1963(1963-07-30) (aged 82) Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse |
Ruth Wilson (m. 1919) |
Children | 4 |
Education | Bacone College (BA) National University (LLB) George Washington University (LL.D) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1914–1919 1941–1945 |
Rank | Major General |
Battles/wars | Pancho Villa Expedition World War I World War II |
Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Purple Heart |