Nevada Governor. At age 16, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a Sergeant (1946-48). He then attended Boise Junior College, joined the U.S. Air Force in 1950 and served as an intelligence operator stationed in Alaska. During the Korean War, he transferred to the U.S. Army in 1952, saw combat and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts, medals for his service. After the war, he graduated from the University of Idaho, in 1956 and taught history and economics at Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada. He become active in politics took a job in Washington, D.C., organizing Job Corps conservation camps throughout the country in 1964 and was regional director in the Office of Emergency Preparedness, in many states including Nevada. In 1971, he was elected as a Democrat the 23rd Governor of Nevada, serving until 1979. During his two terms, he signed an open-housing law in Nevada, fought for the Equal Rights Amendment, appointed women to positions of authority, increased funding for special education programs, plus created a state Consumer Affairs Office and the Nevada Housing Division, which provided low-cost loans to help Nevadans buy their own homes. After leaving office, he became the executive editor of the Las Vegas Sun, serving until his death from cardiac surgery.
Nevada Governor. At age 16, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a Sergeant (1946-48). He then attended Boise Junior College, joined the U.S. Air Force in 1950 and served as an intelligence operator stationed in Alaska. During the Korean War, he transferred to the U.S. Army in 1952, saw combat and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts, medals for his service. After the war, he graduated from the University of Idaho, in 1956 and taught history and economics at Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada. He become active in politics took a job in Washington, D.C., organizing Job Corps conservation camps throughout the country in 1964 and was regional director in the Office of Emergency Preparedness, in many states including Nevada. In 1971, he was elected as a Democrat the 23rd Governor of Nevada, serving until 1979. During his two terms, he signed an open-housing law in Nevada, fought for the Equal Rights Amendment, appointed women to positions of authority, increased funding for special education programs, plus created a state Consumer Affairs Office and the Nevada Housing Division, which provided low-cost loans to help Nevadans buy their own homes. After leaving office, he became the executive editor of the Las Vegas Sun, serving until his death from cardiac surgery.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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