Wilber M. Brucker

Wilber M. Brucker
Brucker as Secretary of the Army by Charles J Fox
Attorney General of Michigan
In office 1929–1931
Governor	Fred W. Green
Preceded by	William W. Potter
Succeeded by	Paul W. Voorhies
32nd Governor of Michigan
In office January 1, 1931 – January 1, 1933
Lieutenant	Luren D. Dickinson
Preceded by	Fred W. Green
Succeeded by	William Comstock
5th United States Secretary of the Army
In office July 21, 1955 – January 19, 1961
President	Dwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded by	Robert T. Stevens
Succeeded by	Elvis Jacob Stahr, Jr.
Personal details
Born	June 23, 1894 Saginaw, Michigan
Died	October 28, 1968 (aged 74) Detroit, Michigan
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Clara Helen Hantel; one child
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Religion	Presbyterian

Wilber Marion Brucker (June 23, 1894 – October 28, 1968) ^[1] was an American Republican politician. Born in Saginaw, Michigan, he served as the 32nd Governor of Michigan from 1931 to 1933 and as the United States Secretary of the Army between July 21, 1955 and January 19, 1961.^[1]

Early life

Brucker was born in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of Democratic U.S. Representative Ferdinand Brucker. He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1916 and enlisted in the Michigan National Guard, serving with its 33rd Infantry Regiment on the Mexican border during the Pancho Villa Expedition from 1916 to 1917.^[2] He attended Officer Training Camp at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and was commissioned a second lieutenant. Brucker served in France during World War I with the 166th Infantry, 42d Division, in the Château Thierry, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne operations, 1917–1918. He received the Silver Star and Purple Heart, and remained a member of the Officer Reserve Corps until 1937.^[3]

Politics

A Republican, after the war, Brucker was assistant prosecuting attorney of Saginaw County from 1919 to 1923, and then prosecuting attorney from 1923 to 1927. He married Clara Hantel in 1923. He served as assistant attorney general of Michigan, 1927–1928, and as Michigan Attorney General, 1928–1930.^[4]

In 1930 he was elected as Michigan's 32nd Governor, serving one term until being defeated in 1932 by Democrat William Comstock.^[5][6] During his two years in office, the police force in Michigan increased and a new state police headquarters in Lansing was authorized. Also Michigan enacted legislation that allowed grand juries to investigate allegations of municipal government fraud and mismanagement. In 1936, Brucker defeated incumbent U.S. Senator James Couzens in the Republican primary elections, but lost to Democrat Prentiss M. Brown in the general election.^[7][8]

He was a member of the law firm of Clark, Klein, Brucker, and Waples, 1937–1954, and served as General Counsel of the Department of Defense from 1954 to 1955, during the Army-McCarthy Hearings.^[9]

In 1955, Brucker was appointed by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower as Secretary of the Army, serving from July 21, 1955 to January 19, 1961.^[10] Brucker administered the Army during a period of major technological advance, especially in the missile-satellite field, and at a time when the Army’s place in the national defense structure was overshadowed by a philosophy of "massive retaliation". Under his direction the Army instituted a five-element (pentagonal) organization concept for the division, established a Strategic Army Corps for emergency reaction, launched the United States’ first satellite, Explorer I, and adopted the Army Flag.

Death

Brucker returned to legal practice in Detroit with the firm of Brucker and Brucker, 1961–1968, and was a member of the Board of Directors of Freedoms Foundation. He died in Detroit on October 28, 1968, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.^[11]

Legacy

Brucker Hall at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall is named for him.^[12]

References

1. Bell, William Gardner (1992). "Wilber Marion Brucker". Secretaries of War and Secretaries of the Army: Portraits and Biographical Sketches. United States Army Center of Military History. Retrieved September 22, 2007.
2. Michael S. Mayer, The Eisenhower Years, 2009, pages 77-78
3. Associated Press, St. Petersburg Times, He Hasn't the Foggiest Notion Why Ike Made Him Army Secretary, Brucker Says, September 18, 1955
4. Associated Press, Ludington Daily News, W. M. Brucker Will be Second Youngest Governor of State if Elected in November, September 11, 1930
5. Gilbert T. Shilson, Associated Press, Ludington Daily News, Legislative Drive for Economy Seen in Lansing Plans, December 14, 1930
6. New York Times, Republican Era Ends: Democrats Take Over Michigan Reins Today After 16 Years, January 2, 1933
7. Associated Press, Lawrence Journal-World, Wilber Brucker Defeats Couzens, September 16, 1936
8. Associated Press, Lawrence Journal-World, Appoints Successor to Late Sen. James Couzens, November 16, 1936
9. Associated Press, Youngstown Vindicator, Stevens Resigns Post; Ike Nominates Brucker, June 22, 1955
10. United Press International, Bonham Daily Favorite, Virginian Named Army Secretary, January 15, 1961
11. New York Times, Wilber M. Brucker, 74, Dies; Former Secretary of the Army, October 29, 1968
12. James J. Smisek, The United States Army Band: "Pershing's Own", 2006, page 51

Additional resources

• "The Political Graveyard". Title of Complete Work. Retrieved 2006-03-19.
• National Governors Association
• Wilber M. Brucker Papers at the Bentley Historical Library
• Autobiography of Clara H. Brucker, wife of Wilber M. Brucker "To Have Your Cake and Eat It"