October 8, 2010

Sid McMath, a decorated marine officer who participated in many of the combat actions of the Pacific Theater, returned to Arkansas after the war, settling in Hot Springs (Garland County). As part of the “GI Revolt,” he was elected as prosecuting attorney and rose to national attention by prosecuting Hot Springs mayor Leo McLaughlin. He used that exposure to launch a successful campaign for governor in 1948. He was a close political friend to President Harry Truman and a dedicated foe to the Dixiecrat movement that tried to take control of the Democratic Party in the South in the 1948 presidential campaign.