Samuel S. Stratton

A Representative from New York. Born in Yonkers, Westchester County, N. Y. , September 27, 1916. At age of three months moved with parents to Schenectady, N. Y. Attended the public schools of Schenectady and Rochester, N. Y. , and Blair Academy, Blairstown, N. J. Graduated from University of Rochester in 1937, Haverford (Pa. ) College in 1938, and Harvard University in 1940. Executive secretary to Representative Thomas H. Eliot of Massachusetts, 1940-1942. Commissioned an ensign in the United States Naval Reserve on June 26, 1942. Served in the Southwest Pacific Theater as naval combat intelligence officer on the staff of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Separated from the service as a lieutenant in 1946. Twice awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat V. At the close of the war interrogated Japanese supreme commander in the Philippines, Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, who was later hanged as a war criminal. Deputy secretary-general of the Far Eastern Commission, Washington, D. C. , 1946-1948. Elected city councilman of Schenectady, N. Y. , in 1949, reelected in 1953 and served until 1956. Recalled to active naval duty as a lieutenant commander and served as instructor at the Naval Intelligence School, Washington, D. C. , 1951-1953. Held rank of captain in United States Naval Reserve. Member of Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority 1950-1955, serving as chairman in 1951. Mayor of Schenectady 1956-1959. Member of board of trustees, University of Rochester. Registered representative with First Albany Corporation, 1957-1958. Elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-sixth and to the fourteen succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1959-January 3, 1989). Was not a candidate for renomination in 1988 to the One Hundred First Congress. Was a resident of Potomac, Md. , until his death in Rockville, Md. , on September 13, 1990. Interment in Arlington National Cemetery.