Walter W. Bacon

Walter Wolfkiel Bacon (born January 20, 1879 in New Castle , Delaware , †  March 18, 1962 in Wilmington , Delaware) was an American politician and governor of the state of Delaware from 1941 to 1949 .

Early years and political advancement

Walter Bacon attended public schools in his homeland, selling newspapers at the age of eight. He later graduated from New Castle High School and Beacom College in Wilmington. After leaving school, he worked as a timekeeper at the Delaware Iron works . Between 1918 and 1930 he worked in Michigan in the Buick Motor Company's household division . He then returned to Delaware, where he began a political career.

Bacon was a member of the Republican Party and served on the party's executive committee in Delaware. Between 1935 and 1940 he was Mayor of Wilmington. In 1940, as his party's candidate , he was elected governor of his state with 52% of the vote against Josiah Marvel, the Democratic Party candidate .

Delaware Governor

Walter Bacon took up his new office on January 21, 1941. After he was re-elected in 1944 with 51% of the vote against Isaac J. MacCollum , he was able to remain in office until January 18, 1949. Much of his tenure was overshadowed by the events of World War II , in which the United States had been involved since December 7, 1941, the day of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor . A defense committee was therefore established for Delaware. From a military point of view, the coast of Delaware lay in the catchment area of ​​German submarines, which temporarily hindered shipping. In addition, fuel was rationed and young men were drafted for military service. Industrial production was converted to armaments. A total of about 30,000 Delaware soldiers were involved in the war, of which about 800 were killed. After the end of the war in 1945, production had to be cut back to meet civilian needs. The returning soldiers had to be reintegrated into society and the disabled and the bereaved relatives of the dead had to be cared for.

In addition to these war-related events, Governor Bacon campaigned for educational reform and the construction of new hospitals. In terms of budgetary policy, he managed to double the state's assets during his reign.

After the end of his reign, Bacon withdrew from politics. He died in January 1962. His marriage to Mabel McDaniel was childless.

Web links

• Walter Bacon in the National Governors Association (English)
• The governors of Delaware (English)
• Walter W. Bacon in the database of Find a Grave (English)