Soldier, Diplomat. MacNider graduated from Harvard in 1911 and became a clerk in his father's bank. As a National Guardsman he served in the 1916 Villa expedition. While in France during World War I, MacNider became a Lieutenant Colonel and received two Distinguished Service Crosses. In 1921 he was elected American Legion National Commander. In 1923 he became Assistant Secretary of War, resigning in 1928 to take charge of his family's businesses after his father's death. He was American Legion National Commander again in 1931. In 1930 MacNider became Ambassador to Canada, resigning to campaign for the 1932 Republican Vice Presidential nomination. In 1940 he ran unsuccessfully for President and turned down the Republican Vice Presidential nomination. He then joined America First, remaining an anti-war activist until the Pearl Harbor attack, when he returned to military duty as a Brigadier General. He led troops in the Pacific, including the invasion of the Philippines, earning a third Distinguished Service Cross and promotion to Major General. In 1952 MacNider declined an offer to manage Douglas MacArthur's campaign for President. In 1956, he was promoted to Lieutenant General (Retired) and turned down a position in President Eisenhower's cabinet. In addition to his Distinguished Service Crosses, MacNider's awards included three Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.
Soldier, Diplomat. MacNider graduated from Harvard in 1911 and became a clerk in his father's bank. As a National Guardsman he served in the 1916 Villa expedition. While in France during World War I, MacNider became a Lieutenant Colonel and received two Distinguished Service Crosses. In 1921 he was elected American Legion National Commander. In 1923 he became Assistant Secretary of War, resigning in 1928 to take charge of his family's businesses after his father's death. He was American Legion National Commander again in 1931. In 1930 MacNider became Ambassador to Canada, resigning to campaign for the 1932 Republican Vice Presidential nomination. In 1940 he ran unsuccessfully for President and turned down the Republican Vice Presidential nomination. He then joined America First, remaining an anti-war activist until the Pearl Harbor attack, when he returned to military duty as a Brigadier General. He led troops in the Pacific, including the invasion of the Philippines, earning a third Distinguished Service Cross and promotion to Major General. In 1952 MacNider declined an offer to manage Douglas MacArthur's campaign for President. In 1956, he was promoted to Lieutenant General (Retired) and turned down a position in President Eisenhower's cabinet. In addition to his Distinguished Service Crosses, MacNider's awards included three Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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