Soldiers to Governors: World War II

More than 1 million Pennsylvanians served in the Armed Forces during World War II. Five of these servicemembers would later be elected as Pennsylvania’s governor. Carrying on the great American tradition of citizen-soldiers, these civilians or members of the National Guard left their homes and families to volunteer to fight for their country during a crucial period in history. The Pennsylvania State Archives holds the papers of all of these Pennsylvania governors, and some files include photographs and documents related to their previous service in World War II.

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Edward Martin (Governor, 1943–47)

Edward Martin (1879–1967) participated in almost every military conflict involving Pennsylvania troops, from the Spanish–American War to World War II. He began his military service as a private in 1898 and was promoted through the ranks over a span of more than 40 years to major general.

In World War I, Martin began serving with the 28th Division. While overseas he was involved in several of the war’s major campaigns. He was wounded twice in combat and earned the Distinguished Service Cross twice as well as the Purple Heart with oak leaf clusters. After World War I ended, Martin remained in the Pennsylvania National Guard. By 1922 he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general of the 110th Infantry Regiment. In 1939 he was promoted again to major general in command of Pennsylvania’s 28th Division and was the state’s adjutant general.

At the beginning of America’s involvement in World War II, Martin was still at the head of the 28th Division when it was federalized for service. He oversaw preparation and training of the division in North Carolina until he was released from active duty in April 1942. He was elected governor of Pennsylvania later that year in November.

Like many others who served in World War II, George Leader was a member of the American Legion, an organization of U.S. war veterans. Here, Governor Leader in his American Legion cap, center, attends the opening of the Pennsylvania State Legion convention in Philadelphia on July 19, 1956.
Pennsylvania State Archives, MG-207

George M. Leader (Governor, 1955–59)

George M. Leader (1918–2013) joined the United States Navy in 1943 and entered active service in Philadelphia as an ensign. His 1940 draft registration card listed him as 6 feet tall, 160 pounds, with brown eyes and hair and a ruddy complexion. From 1945 to 1946 he served as a lieutenant (junior grade) aboard the U.S.S. Randolph (CV-15), an Essex-class aircraft carrier. The Randolph served in the South Pacific Theatre and took part in the attack on the Japanese home islands in July and August 1945. In total, Leader served 15 months of domestic service and 20 months of foreign service during the war. In 1946 he received an honorable discharge. Upon his return from the war, he used help from the G.I. Bill to purchase a small poultry farm in his native York County.

William W. Scranton (Governor, 1963–67)

In 1941 William W. Scranton (1917–2013) interrupted his studies at Yale Law School when he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. He served as an Air Transport Command pilot, moving aircraft to various theaters of war and training recruits. He did serve a significant amount of time overseas, with postings in Africa, Asia and South America, but was never in combat. By the end of the war, he held the rank of captain. He returned to Yale after the war and earned his law degree. He remained in the Air Force Reserve for about two decades and retired as a lieutenant colonel.

All honorably discharged veterans who entered service listing their home as Pennsylvania were eligible for a bonus payment calculated by the number of their domestic and foreign months of service during World War II, up to a maximum of $500 total. This bonus program began in 1950 and was administered by state government. Raymond Shafer was initially paid $420 for 42 domestic months of service, but this was later corrected to $500 for 25 domestic months and 18 foreign.
Pennsylvania State Archives, RG-19

Raymond P. Shafer (Governor, 1967–71)

Raymond P. Shafer (1917–2006) entered the United States Navy as a commissioned officer in naval intelligence in 1942. He would go on to serve on patrol torpedo (PT) boats in the South Pacific Theater of the war. He was captain of PT-359. Later he was promoted to executive officer of Motor Torpedo Squadron 27. He participated in approximately 80 combat missions during the war, earning the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Philippine Liberation, and Navy Commendation medals. He helped lead some of the first PT boats to break through the Japanese defenses of the Philippines in early 1945. After leaving active service that same year, Shafer continued in the United States Naval Reserve, eventually retiring with the rank of lieutenant commander.

Milton J. Shapp (Governor, 1971–79)

In 1942 Milton J. Shapp (1912–94) joined the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He served as an officer overseas for about three and a half years in the European Theatre. During that time, he was stationed in North Africa, Austria and Italy. His various positions included radio maintenance and repair officer, electrical engineer, radio engineer, radio program officer, and director of radio network. He entered service as a second lieutenant and was promoted to first lieutenant and then captain. He was given an honorable discharge in June 1946. He made use of $500 from the G.I. Bill to found Jerrold Electronics Corp., which was a pioneer in the early days of the cable television industry.

Richard C. Saylor is an archivist for the Pennsylvania State Archives and author of the award-winning book Soldiers to Governors: Pennsylvania’s Civil War Veterans Who Became State Leaders and numerous articles on military, political and sports history.