Patrick Jay Hurley (January 8, 1883 – July 30, 1963) was an American politician and diplomat. He was the United States Secretary of War from 1929 to 1933, but is best remembered for being Ambassador to China in 1945, during which he was instrumental in getting Joseph Stilwell recalled from China and replaced with the more diplomatic General Albert Coady Wedemeyer. A man of humble origins, Hurley's lack of what was considered to be a proper ambassadorial demeanor and mode of social interaction made professional diplomats scornful of him. He came to share pre-eminent army strategist Wedemeyer's view that the Chinese Communists could be defeated and America ought to commit to doing so even if it meant backing the Kuomintang and Chiang Kai-shek to the hilt. Frustrated, Hurley resigned as Ambassador to China in 1945, publicised his concerns about high-ranking members of the State Department, and alleged they believed that the Chinese Communists were not totalitarians and that America's priority was to avoid allying with a losing side in the civil war.

https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/PATRICKJAYHURLEY/1D2297E

Major General Patrick J. Hurley was born January 8, 1883, in the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory to Pierce and Mary Kelly Hurley, Irish immigrants from Texas who eventually settled in Indian Territory in the Choctaw Nation.  Pierce felt he would find better opportunities to make a living and moved the family to Indian Territory.

Pat Hurley attended National University Law School in 1907, completing his law degree in 1908.  He continued his studies at George Washington University, Washington D. C.  During this period, he became a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.  In 1908, Hurley returned to Oklahoma and began practicing law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Hurley joined the Army and in November 1918, was wounded in action and awarded the Silver Star.  He served later as Judge Advocate General of the Sixth Army Corps, negotiating agreements between the American Expeditionary forces and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for passage of the Expeditionary forces through neutral Luxembourg, saving the United States and its Allies potentially large claims for damages. 

In 1912 he was appointed Chief Attorney for the Choctaw Nation.  During his term of office, he saved the Choctaw Nation $35,000,000. 

In 1929, after running the campaign of Herbert Hoover in Oklahoma, he served as Assistant Secretary of War until the death of Secretary Wood in November 1929, when Hurley was appointed Secretary of War in Herbert Hoovers’ Cabinet, the first Oklahoman to serve in a presidential cabinet. 

He was appointed to Brigadier General in 1941 and served in World War II as the first Minister to New Zealand, envoy of President Roosevelt to Russia, ran the blockade twice to get food and ammunition to the troops in the Philippines and to assist in getting General MacArthur out of that area.  In 1944, he was promoted to Major General and appointed US Ambassador to China. 

For his service in two World Wars he received several awards for service and bravery:  The Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, World War I and World War II Victory Medals and several World War I and World War II campaign and service medals.  He died July 30, 1963.

A picture of Hurley who is later in life, with Mao Zedong. Mao wears a pith helmet Hurley fedora

A painting of Hurley. He's in a black suit with blue tie.

September 31, 1914 issue of Time Magazine

Hurley on the cover Time Magazine September 31, 1914

General Hurley in Army dress uniform with a thick double breasted coat.

PATRICK JAY HURLEY

Service

WORLD WAR II

WORLD WAR I

US ARMY,

MAJOR GENERAL

Resting Place

Mementos

Tributes

Word Cloud

Biography

Milestones

Mementos

Historical Documents

Veteran programs and services

More VA resources

Get VA updates

In crisis? Get help now

Contact us