Paul Pennoyer Jr.

Paul Geddes Pennoyer Jr. (February 11, 1920 – January 7, 2010) was an American lawyer and Naval hero who was a member of the Morgan family. He is the grandson of J. P. Morgan Jr.

Early life and education Pennoyer was born on February 11, 1920, in Manhattan, New York City, to Frances Morgan Pennoyer and Paul Pennoyer Sr. His mother was the daughter of J. P. Morgan Jr. He grew up in Locust Valley, New York, with his parents, his brother, Robert Morgan Pennoyer, and four sisters.

His maternal grandparents were John Pierpont Morgan Jr. and Jane Norton Morgan. Among his extended family was uncle Junius Spencer Morgan III. Through another uncle, Henry Sturgis Morgan, co-founder of Morgan Stanley (who married Adams family descendant Catherine Adams), he was a first cousin of Henry Sturgis Morgan Jr. and John Adams Morgan. His great, great uncle was Sylvester Pennoyer, the 8th governor of Oregon.

He attended St. Paul's School in New Hampshire. He then attended Harvard University and graduated in 1942 with a Bachelors of Science degree. He was a varsity oarsman on the undefeated Harvard crew team in 1941.

Naval career Pennoyer was a World War II pilot for Air Group 28 attached to the USS Monterey aircraft carrier during the first Battle of the Philippine Sea on June 20, 1944. He was also awarded the Gold Star by Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal in September 1944.

He received a second Gold Star as a pilot of the Torpedo Bombers.

Post-Navy legal career Upon leaving the Navy, Pennoyer graduated from Harvard Law School in 1948. Following his graduation and passing the bar, he was hired by Law Firm of Bigham, Englar Jones & Houston, and he started their Aviation Legal Department. He was at that firm from 1949 to 1963, having become a Partner in 1955.

After leaving that firm, he would become a partner and principal litigator at the Law Firm of Chadbourne, Parke, Whiteside & Wolf, where he specialized in Anti-Trust, Securities, and Federal Agency cases. He was at that firm for the next 30 years.

In 1976, he argued the case, Piper v. Chris-Craft Industries, Inc., before the United States Supreme Court.

He retired in 1992.

Personal life He was married to Cecily Henderson Pennoyer, on February 5, 1949, and they had five children.

Prior to his death, he published his memoirs, entitled A Descendant, But Not an Heir. In the memoir, he stated,

He died on January 7, 2010, at the age of 89, in Locust Valley, New York.

Awards

Navy Cross Air Medal Gold Star (2) National Maritime Historical Society (NMHS) - Distinguished Service Award.