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Military Service: Air Force

War(s) Served:  World War II

DONALD G. NUTTER, the fifteenth governor of Montana, was born in Lambert, Montana on November 28, 1915. His education was attained at North Dakota State School of Science, and at Montana State University, where he earned a law degree in 1954. During World War II, he served as Army Air Force bomber pilot, and was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross medal. Nutter first entered public service in 1937, serving as the deputy clerk of the Richland County District Court, a position he held until 1938. He also served as the under sheriff of Richland County from 1938 to 1939, was a member of the Montana State Senate from 1951 to 1957, and served as the chairman of the Montana Republican Central Committee from 1958 to 1960. Nutter next secured the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor by a popular vote in November 1960. During his tenure, state spending was reduced; and new industrial developments were promoted. Nutter’s term was cut short when he was killed in airplane crash on January 25, 1962. Governor Donald G. Nutter was buried in the Sidney City Cemetery in Sidney, Montana.

Sources:

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 3, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

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