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Military Service: Army

War(s) Served:  World War II

DAVID PENROSE BUCKSON, Delaware's 55th Governor, was born in Townsend, Delaware, on July 25, 1920. He graduated from the University of Delaware in 1941, and earned a law degree from the Dickinson Law School in 1949. He reported to active military duty on November 7, 1941, and served as a major in the 198th Coast Artillery in the South Pacific. After his military service, he returned home and completed his education. Buckson entered public service as chair of the 1956 Republican Executive Committee. He served on the bench of the Court of the Common Pleas from 1956 to 1957, and he was elected Delaware's lieutenant governor in 1957. Governor James C. Boggs resigned from office on December 30, 1960, and Buckson who was lieutenant governor at the time, assumed the duties of the governorship. He served in this capacity until January 17, 1961. In 1963 he was elected attorney general of Delaware, a position he held until 1971. Buckson ran unsuccessfully for the governor's office in 1964 and 1968. He later was appointed to serve on the bench of the Delaware Family Court, where he earned the reputation of being judicious and fair.

Sources:

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 1, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

Delaware's Governors

The Political Graveyard