James E. Van Zandt

James Van Zandt
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 20th district
In office
January 3, 1953  January 3, 1963
Preceded by Francis Walter
Succeeded by Elmer Holland
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 22nd district
In office
January 3, 1947  January 3, 1953
Preceded by D. Emmert Brumbaugh
Succeeded by John Saylor
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 23rd district
In office
January 3, 1939  September 24, 1943
Preceded by Don Gingery
Succeeded by J. Buell Snyder
Personal details
Born (1898-12-18)December 18, 1898
Altoona, Pennsylvania
Died January 6, 1986(1986-01-06) (aged 87)
Political party Republican
Occupation Politician, Naval officer
Military service
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 19171959
Rank Rear Admiral

James Edward Van Zandt (December 18, 1898 January 6, 1986) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

Biography

James Van Zandt was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania. In 1917 he enlisted as an apprentice seaman in the United States Navy and served two years. He was a member of the United States Naval Reserve from 1919 to 1943, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. In December 1933 he toured the country with Smedley Butler to recruit members for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He was the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars from 1934 to 1936.

He was elected in 1938 as a Republican to the 76th, 77th, and 78th United States Congresses, and served from January 3, 1939, until his resignation September 24, 1943, when he re-entered the service. While a Member of Congress he was called to active duty in September 1941 and served until January 1942 with the Pacific Fleet and in escort convoy duty in the North Atlantic. He reentered the service in September 1943 as a lieutenant commander and was assigned to the Pacific area until discharged as a captain in 1946, and retired as rear admiral in United States Naval Reserve in 1959.

He was elected to the 80th and to the seven succeeding Congresses. Van Zandt, while a member of the House Armed Services Committee, made an impassioned speech on the House floor leveling charges against Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson and Air Force Secretary Stuart Symington in regard to the procurement of the B-36 bomber. This speech brought into public view the "Revolt of the Admirals". The basis of these charges was a bogus document from Cedric Worth who was the special assistant to the Under Secretary of the Navy Dan Kimball. On June 9, 1948, the HASC voted to investigate the charges.[1]

In the 1954 attack on the House of Representatives by Puerto Rican nationalists, he tackled and disarmed one of the shooters. In 1962, he unsuccessfully challenged United States Senator Joe Clark, who won re-election to a second term by a 51 to 49 percent margin. He was a Special Representative of the Governor of Pennsylvania until 1971. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[2]

See also

References

  1. Keith D. McFarland, “The 1949 Revolt of the Admirals”
  2. James E. Van Zandt at Find a Grave

Sources

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Don Gingery
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 23rd congressional district

19391943
Succeeded by
J. Buell Snyder
Preceded by
D. Emmert Brumbaugh
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 22nd congressional district

19471953
Succeeded by
John Saylor
Preceded by
Francis Walter
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 20th congressional district

19531963
Succeeded by
Elmer Holland
Party political offices
Preceded by
James Duff
Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania
(Class 3)

1962
Succeeded by
Richard Schweiker
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