Wilber Marion Brucker was born on June 23, 1894, in Saginaw, Michigan, and died on October 28, 1968. He was an American Republican politician who worked as the 32nd governor of Michigan from 1931 until 1933. Later, he held the position of United States Secretary of the Army from July 21, 1955, until January 19, 1961.

Early life

Brucker was born in Saginaw, Michigan, and was the son of Ferdinand Brucker, a Democratic U.S. Representative. He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1916 and joined the Michigan National Guard. He served in the 33rd Infantry Regiment on the Mexican border during the Pancho Villa Expedition from 1916 to 1917. He attended Officer Training Camp at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and was given the rank of second lieutenant. Brucker served in France during World War I with the 166th Infantry, 42d Division, participating in the Château Thierry, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne operations from 1917 to 1918. He received the Silver Star and Purple Heart awards and remained a member of the Officer Reserve Corps until 1937.

Politics

After the war, Brucker worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Saginaw County from 1919 to 1923 and then as the county’s prosecuting attorney from 1923 to 1927. In 1923, he married Clara Helen Hantel. He later worked as assistant attorney general of Michigan from 1927 to 1928 and as the state’s attorney general from 1928 to 1930.

In 1930, Brucker was elected as Michigan’s 32nd governor. He served one term until he lost the 1932 election to Democrat William Comstock. During his time as governor, Michigan’s police force grew, and a new state police headquarters in Lansing was approved. The state also passed laws that allowed grand juries to investigate claims of fraud and poor management in local government. In 1936, Brucker won the Republican primary election for U.S. Senate against James Couzens but lost the general election to Democrat Prentiss M. Brown.

From 1937 to 1954, Brucker was part of the law firm Clark, Klein, Brucker, and Waples. He later worked as General Counsel of the Department of Defense from 1954 to 1955 during the Army–McCarthy hearings.

In 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Brucker as Secretary of the Army. He held this position from July 21, 1955, to January 19, 1961. During his time as Secretary, the Army advanced in technology, especially with missiles and satellites. At that time, the Army’s role in national defense was less important compared to a strategy of “massive retaliation.” Under Brucker’s leadership, the Army created a five-part (pentagonal) structure for military divisions, formed a Strategic Army Corps for emergencies, helped launch the United States’ first satellite, Explorer I, and introduced the Army Flag.

Death

Brucker worked as a lawyer again in Detroit with the law firm Brucker and Brucker from 1961 to 1968. He also served on the Board of Directors of Freedoms Foundation. Brucker passed away in Detroit on October 28, 1968, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Additional resources

"Wilber Marion Brucker." The Political Graveyard. Found on March 19, 2006.
National Governors Association
Wilber M. Brucker Papers at the Bentley Historical Library
Autobiography of Clara H. Brucker, wife of Wilber M. Brucker "To Have Your Cake and Eat It"