Henry Lewis Stimson (S&B 1888)
Republican. American Statesman. Lawyer. Politican. Yale University. Skull and Bones. Council on Foreign Relations. Phi Beta Kappa. Harvard University (Law School). Member Honary of Theodore Roosevelt’s Boone and Crocket Club (North America’s first wildlife conservation organisation[1,5]
Stimson (S&B 1888) officially announced his retirement on September 21, 1945. Afterwards, he wrote his memoirs with the aid of McGeorge Bundy (S&B 1940).
10 Jul 1940 to 21 Sep 1945 - 54th United States Secretary of War by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Freemason) and Harry S. Truman (Freemason)
After World War II broke out in Europe, President Franklin D. Roosevelt returned Stimson to his post at the head of the War Department. The choice of Stimson, a conservative Republican, was a calculated effort by the president to win bipartisan support for what was considered an almost inevitable US entrance into the war. Ten days before the Attack on Pearl Harbor, Stimson entered in his diary the following statement: “[Roosevelt] brought up the event that we are likely to be attacked perhaps next Monday, for the Japanese are notorious for making an attack without warning, and the question was what we should do. The question was how we should maneuver them into the position of firing the first shot without allowing too much danger to ourselves.”[1,14] During the war, Stimson oversaw a great expansion of the military including the conscription and training of 13 million soldiers and airmen, and the purchase and transportation of 30% of the nation’s industrial output to battlefields.[1,15] He worked closely with his top aides Robert P. Patterson (served later as President of the Council on Foreign Relations) (who succeeded Stimson as Secretary),[1,16] Robert Lovett (who handled the Air Force), Harvey Bundy (S&B 1909) and John J. McCloy (Search mind map. Assistant Secretary of War).[17]
28 Mar 1929 to 4 Mar 1933 - 46th United States Secretary of State by President Herbert Hoover (Bohemian)
27 Dec 1927 to 23 1929 - Governor-General of the Philippines by President Calvin Coolidge (Relative Joseph Coolidge, was a partner of Russell and Co.[William Huntingdon Russell co-founded S&B]
Stimson [S&B 1888] had made clear beyond doubt his views as well as his determination regarding reforms. Speaking in rebuttal for the Chief Executive, the Secretary elaborated in the veto draft on the following points summarized below:[8.p7]
First, the Presidential power of appointment to “the most important military position” that of the Chief Staff, would be much limited. A premium would be placed on the eligibility of officers with mere routine service while those who had come up fast due to their exceptional abilities would be excluded. Finally, the proposed legislation would confine the choice for the principal staff position to men with the least staff experience.[8,p7]
Second, the requested reduction of the number of General Staff officers would cripple “the most important corps of the Army.” This corps performed essential work in devising “a consistent military policy” and in creating a restructured Army organization. The detail system of a maximum of four years service with the General Staff should be preserved as being most conducive to an effective organization and composition of that corps.[8,p7]
Third, arbitrary limitations on the length of detached service would deprive certain departments or units of all or most of their qualified officers.[8,p7]
Fourth, the lengthening of service with the colors from three to four years would make “difficult or impossible” the creation of a proper reserve force.[8,p7]
Fifth, the appointment by Congress of a commission on Army posts would “deprive the regularly constituted authorities, notably the President and the Secretary of War, of all voice in the formulation of one of the most important policies now confronting the Nation. …”[8,p7]
Sixth, the contention that great savings would be effected by the bill was “unfounded.” Close examination showed the contrary to be true with an estimated deficit of $2 1/4 million.[8,p7]
Henry Stimson [S&B 1888] in his quiet but determined way had scored his greatest legislative victory. At the same time his resolute action and cool calculation had finally cleared the road for the reforms so eagerly and consistently espoused and so long delayed. The Secretary declared himself “well satisfied.” Before leaving Washington on an inspection trip, he pointed out that “important and constructive” legislation had been enacted. The two issues which he stressed most in several press interviews were the creation of an Army Reserve and the reorganization of the tactical structure of the Army.[8,p7]
22 May 1911 to 4 Mar 1913 - 45th United States Secretary of War by President William Howard Taft (S&B 1878. Freemason)
Jan 1906 to 8 Apr 1909 - United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York by President Theodore Roosevelt (Freemason) and William Howard Taft (S&B 1878)
July 1893 - Married married Mabel Wellington White, a great-great granddaughter of American founding father Roger Sherman. Adult case of mumps had left Stimson infertile.[1]
1891 - Joined the prestigious Wall Street Law Firm of Root and Clark. Becoming a partner in 1893. Elihu Root, a future Secretary of War and Secretary of State, became a major influence on and role model for Stimson.[1,9]
Died 20 Oct 1950. Aged 83. Two months after leaving office, Stimson suffered a heart attack from which he recovered, although he suffered a speech impediment.[1,40] In the summer of 1950, Stimson fell and broke his leg, after which he was confined to a wheelchair. On October 20, one month after his 83rd birthday, he succumbed to complications from a second heart attack.[1,41]
Related … Henry Albert Stimson (S&B 1865 / Brothers in Unity) - Minister. Author of Religion and Business (1894), Questions of Modern Inquiry (1895), ‘The Apostles’ Creed (1899), the Right Life and How to Live It (1905), The New Things of God (1908), Behind the World and Beyond (1910), and While the War Rages (1915); editorial writer: The Commercial and Financial Chronicle 1920 to 30.
Skull and Bones / Related / Other - to be completed
[1] - Spartacus Educational - Henry L. Stimson S&B 1888
[2] - FYI - Wiki - Henry L. Stimson S&B 1888
[4] - Find a Grave - Henry L. Stimson S&B 1888
[7] - FYI - Harvey Hollister Bundy (S&B 1909)
[8] - Army War College - Henry L. Stimson S&B 1888 - Secretary of War
[9] - Britannica.com - Henry L. Stimson S&B 1888
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