Harry W. Colmery

Harry W. Colmery
Name	Harry W. Colmery
Birth date	11 December 1890
Birth place	Braddock, Pennsylvania
Death date	23 August 1979
Death place	Topeka, Kansas
Occupation	Attorney, Veterans' advocate
Known for	Principal author of the G.I. Bill
Spouse	Ruth Colmery

Harry W. Colmery was an American attorney and veterans' advocate who is best known as the principal author of the landmark Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill. His work with the American Legion was instrumental in crafting legislation that transformed post-World War II America by providing educational benefits, home loans, and unemployment compensation to millions of returning veterans. Colmery's legacy is defined by this monumental contribution to veterans' affairs and his lifelong dedication to service organizations.

Early life and education

Harry Walter Colmery was born in Braddock, Pennsylvania, and spent his formative years in Kansas. He attended Washburn University in Topeka, where he earned his undergraduate degree before pursuing a law degree. After graduating from the Washburn University School of Law, he was admitted to the Kansas Bar Association and established a legal practice in Topeka. His early career involved general law and a growing involvement in civic and fraternal organizations, which laid the groundwork for his future advocacy.

Military service

During World War I, Colmery served in the United States Army Air Service. He was trained as a pilot and commissioned as a first lieutenant, though he did not see combat overseas. His military service fostered a deep and lasting connection to the community of veterans, an experience that profoundly influenced his later work. Following his discharge, he remained active in veterans' groups, which became the central focus of his post-war life.

American Legion career

Colmery became a highly active member of the American Legion, a major veterans' organization founded after World War I. He served in various leadership roles, including as the National Commander of the American Legion from 1936 to 1937. In this capacity, he traveled extensively, advocating for veterans' rights and strengthening the organization's national presence. His tenure occurred during the Great Depression, a period when support for veterans was a critical and often contentious national issue, shaping his resolve to secure robust benefits for future servicemembers.

Drafting the G.I. Bill

In early 1944, the American Legion tasked Colmery with drafting comprehensive legislation for returning World War II veterans. Working at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., he famously wrote the first draft in longhand on hotel stationery. His draft formed the basis of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. Colmery worked closely with Legionnaires like John Stelle and politicians including Senator Ernest McFarland and Representative Edith Nourse Rogers to build bipartisan support. The bill was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 22, 1944, fundamentally altering American society through education and housing benefits.

Later life and death

After the passage of the G.I. Bill, Colmery continued his legal practice in Topeka and remained involved with the American Legion and other civic duties. He served on the Washburn University Board of Regents and was active in the Masonic Lodge. Harry W. Colmery died on August 23, 1979, in Topeka, Kansas, and was interred at Memorial Park Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Ruth, and their two children.

Legacy and honors

Colmery's most enduring legacy is the G.I. Bill, which is credited with helping to create the American middle class and preventing a post-war economic downturn. In recognition of his pivotal role, the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, which updated educational benefits for modern veterans, was named in his honor. His contributions are memorialized at the American Legion National Headquarters and he has been inducted into the Veterans Hall of Fame. The Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka also bears his name, cementing his status as a foundational figure in veterans' affairs.

Category:American Legion Category:American veterans' rights activists Category:1890 births Category:1979 deaths