Stafford, George M., 1915-

George Stafford had a long political career, including as secretary to Kansas Governor Frank Carlson. After graduating from high school in Valley Falls, Jefferson County, Kansas in 1933, he attended college in Topeka. Stafford served in the 35th Division during World War II, eventually earning a promotion to captain. He was wounded in action at the Philippine Islands and awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Stafford served as deputy director of the Kansas Sales Tax Department from 1939-1942. Following the war, he became executive director of the Kansas Republican Committee and then worked with Carlson as both Governor and United States Senator. Stafford was then appointed to the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) by President Johnson in 1965 and was later appointed chairman of the ICC by President Nixon. George Stafford died in 1995 in Washington, D.C. [Davis, Clarke. Valley Falls Vindicator (newspaper), 16 July 1998. George Stafford papers, State Archives & Library Division, Kansas Historical Society.]