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Harry Walter Colmery 1890 - 1979

Harry Walter Colmery of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas was born on December 11, 1890 in Braddock, Comté d'Allegheny County, PA États-Unis, and died at age 88 years old on August 23, 1979 in Houston, Comté de Harris County, TX. Harry Colmery was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery, Funeral Chapel & Reception Center 4700 SW 17th St, in Topeka, Shawnee County, KS.

Harry Walter Colmery

Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas 66606

December 11, 1890

Braddock, Comté d'Allegheny County, PA, 15104, États-Unis

August 23, 1979

Houston, Comté de Harris County, TX, États-Unis

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Harry Walter Colmery's History: 1890 - 1979

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Introduction

After high school, he graduated from Oberlin College in 1913; earned a degree from the law school at the University of Pittsburgh in 1916; and relocated to Utah, where he was admitted to the bar in 1917. His law career was interrupted with the outbreak of World War I in April 1917. During the war, he served in the Army Air Service as an instructor and pursuit pilot. Before his discharge in April 1919, he had accumulated 500 hours flying time. He then served as a captain in the Officers Reserve Corps, air service, for 10 years. On December 20, 1919, he married his college sweetheart Minerva Hiserodt; they had three children. The couple relocated to Topeka, Kansas where he started a practice law with John S. Dean. Since his military service during World War I had a huge impact on his life, he was an advocate for veterans for the rest of his life. He joined the American Legion and was involved at the local, state and national levels serving as the National Commander of the American Legion in 1936. His name became a “household word” because of his diligent work with veterans.
12/11

1890

Birthday

December 11, 1890

Birthdate

Braddock, Comté d'Allegheny County, PA 15104, États-Unis

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

He was one of four children born to grocery store owner Walter S. Colmery and his wife Flora.
Early Life & Education

After high school, he graduated from Oberlin College in 1913; earned a degree from the law school at the University of Pittsburgh in 1916; and relocated to Utah, where he was admitted to the bar in 1917.
Military Service

During the war, he served in the Army Air Service as an instructor and pursuit pilot. Before his discharge in April 1919, he had accumulated 500 hours flying time. He then served as a captain in the Officers Reserve Corps, air service, for 10 years.
Professional Career

He was an industrious young man working in his father’s store, delivering newspapers and later working for the Union Pacific Railroad. Since his military service during World War I had a huge impact on his life, he was an advocate for veterans for the rest of his life. He joined the American Legion and was involved at the local, state and national levels serving as the National Commander of the American Legion in 1936. His name became a “household word” because of his diligent work with veterans. As a member of the American Legion’s national legislative committee, he worked to change regulations to allow veterans to be treated at Veteran’s Hospitals for non-service related illnesses and to allow for the expansions of the veteran’s hospital system. During World War II, he was involved in the debate of how to assist the millions of veterans that would be returning to the work force at the end of the war. Many feared a return to the Great Depression with men and women who had served their country joining the ranks of the unemployed after they were discharged. He was credited with writing the original draft of the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944, or the “G.I. Bill of Rights”. He wrote it longhand on hotel stationery and napkins while staying in the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. It was introduced to Congress in January 1944. President Franklin Roosevelt, with Colmery witnessing the act, signed it into law on June 22, 1944. To date, more than 20 million veterans have utilized the G.I. Bill to ease their transition back into the civilian world with unemployment benefits up to one year, college tuition, vocational school or on-the-job training, and low interest rate mortgage. The Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Administration Hospital in Topeka, Kansas is named in honor of him.
Personal Life & Family

During his lifetime, he received many awards: The French Legion of Honor in 1936; Order of the Crown of Italy in 1936; Distinguished Service Medal, National Guard of Honor, Washington, D.C., and Philippines Legion of Honor in 1961; American Legion’s Distinguished Service Award in 1975; Kansas Bar Association’s Distinguished Service Award and Topeka Bar Association President’s Good Citizen Award in 1976.
08/23

1979

Death

August 23, 1979

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

Houston, Comté de Harris County, TX États-Unis
Death location

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Gravesite & Burial

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Funeral date
Mount Hope Cemetery, Funeral Chapel & Reception Center 4700 SW 17th St, in Topeka, Shawnee County, KS 66604, États-Unis
Burial location
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Harry Walter Colmery lived 14 years longer than the average family member when died at the age of 88.

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James Micheal Gaudin

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05/05/2023

Harry Colmery

Advocate for American Veterans. As a member of the American Legion’s national legislative committee, he worked to change regulations to allow veterans to be treated at Veteran’s Hospitals for non-service related illnesses and to allow for the expansions of the veteran’s hospital system.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Harry Colmery's Family Tree & Friends

Harry Colmery's Family Tree

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Harry Walter Colmery Dec 11, 1890 - Aug 23, 1979

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Other Biographies

Other Colmery Family Biographies

Colmery, Naomi (May 11, 1905 - Jul 11, 1996) Colmery, Mary (Jul 18, 1889 - Sep 1976) Colmery, William (Apr 3, 1950 - Oct 29, 2007) Colmery, Pearl (Jun 4, 1896 - May 1978) Colmery, Montgomery (Jun 10, 1894 - Aug 1968) Colmery, Raynor (Dec 17, 1920 - May 23, 2005) Colmery, Wayne (Feb 6, 1910 - Apr 30, 1998) Colmery, Elizabeth (Sep 27, 1898 - Jan 1980) Colmery, William (Oct 5, 1926 - Aug 1986) Colmery, Neil (Apr 24, 1914 - Dec 1976)

Colmery, Earl (May 3, 1912 - Mar 1965) Colmery, Walter (Dec 2, 1902 - Sep 28, 1997) Colmery, Ella (Aug 21, 1913 - Sep 1986) Colmery, Laura (Aug 8, 1894 - Sep 1977) Colmery, Paul (Jun 29, 1904 - Apr 1971) Colmery, Ralph (Jan 26, 1915 - Jul 1963) Colmery, Katharine (Mar 20, 1910 - Jul 1980) Colmery, Lewis (Mar 7, 1914 - Apr 25, 1989) Colmery, Laurence (Mar 16, 1902 - Mar 1982) Colmery, Wallace (Nov 30, 1922 - Jun 1986)

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Harry Walter Colmery 1890 - 1979

Harry Walter Colmery's History: 1890 - 1979

Introduction

Birthday

Ethnicity & Family History

Early Life & Education

Military Service

Professional Career

Personal Life & Family

Death

Gravesite & Burial

Add Memories, Stories & Photos about Harry

Harry Colmery's Family Tree & Friends

Harry Colmery's Family Tree

Harry's Friends

Other Colmery Family Biographies