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Military Service: Army

War(s) Served:  World War I

JAMES A. NOE was born in West Point, Kentucky on December 21, 1890. His education was attained in the public schools of his native state. During World War I, he served as lieutenant of the 369^th Infantry of the U.S. Army. After his military service, Noe established himself in the business world. He owned several plantations, as well as radio stations, and had a successful career in the oil industry. Noe entered politics in 1932, serving as a member of the Louisiana State Senate, a position he held for two years. He also served as lieutenant governor of Louisiana from 1934 to 1936. On January 28, 1936, Governor Oscar K. Allen passed away, and Noe, who was lieutenant governor at the time, assumed the duties of the governorship. During his tenure, Rose McConnell Long was appointed to fill the U.S. senatorial seat of her assassinated husband Huey Long. Also, steps were taken to initiate a state public welfare office, and federal funding was secured for future highway development. After Noe left office on May 12, 1936, he was reelected to the Louisiana Senate, serving there until 1940. He also ran unsuccessfully for the governor's office in 1940 and 1959, and was a delegate to the 1968 Democratic National Convention and an alternate delegate in 1972. Governor James A. Noe passed away on April 2, 1976, and was buried in Monroe, Louisiana.

Sources:

Dawson III, Joseph G. The Louisiana Governors: From Iberville to Edwards. Baton Rouge: Lousiana State University Press, 1990.

Louisiana Secretary of State: The Governors of Louisiana

The Political Graveyard

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.