Vertical File Biographies

This is an individual biography from the vertical file of biographical information, primarily newspaper clippings, created by the Kansas State Histocial Society Library and Archives division. This is a concise version--there may be more information in this or other sources.

Vera Abbott

Vera Abbott from Galena, Kansas is one of four children of a mining and smelting company worker. She completed high school and business college and took the civil service examination at the age of 16. In 1936 at the age of 19 she moved to Washington DC and went to work as a secretary for the extension service of the US Department of Agriculture.

Later when World War II began, she transferred to the Navy Department. In her service there, she was assigned to the office of Commander Lewis Strauss, who later became chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. When Strauss, became special assistant to the Undersecretary of the Navy, James Forrestal, Ms. Abbott went along. At the end of the war, Admiral Strauss returned to civilian life, but Vera Abbott remained with the Navy Department. She served as a secretary to a number of famous Navy Secretaries in the ensuing years including, Steve Early and Robert Lovett.

Ms. Abbott moved to the Department of Defense when it was formed under the Unification Act in 1947 and in 1952 was promoted to confidential secretary and assistant to the Secretary of Defense. She has subsequently served Robert Lovett, Charles Wilson and Neil McElroy in that capacity. Her job was both demanding and interesting. She had to accompany several Defense Secretaries to NATO conferences in Europe and also to the Geneva Conference.

She married Gene Abbott, a Washington DC news photographer in 1946. They lived in suburban Arlington, Virginia.

Source:
“In On Missile Secrets. Galena, KAS, Woman Aid To Defense Chief,” Kansas City Star, November 26, 1957.

The vertical file is on forty-three microfilm reels arranged alphabetically by name. These reels are available through interlibrary loan, or you may contact the reference staff . Please note that many of the clippings had yellowed and it may be impossible to produce a readable photocopy.

Completion of this biography was made possible by volunteer Frank Sotrines.