Walter Kiernan

Walter J. Kiernan (January 24, 1902 – January 8, 1978) was an American radio, television, and print journalist and author, as well as television game show host during the early days of the medium.

Early years Kiernan was born on January 24, 1902, in New Haven, Connecticut, and grew up there. In addition to his fascinating train ride with Winston Churchill, he had previously covered Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan's return to New York, as well as the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their royal tour of Canada in 1939. He also wrote a "Broadway" column in the Dallas Times Herald.

In 1942, he co-authored with another noted columnist, Damon Runyon, The Life Story of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker As heard at The Paley Center for Media (formerly The Museum of Television and Radio), Kiernan's animated reporting and analysis of V-E Day in 1945 remains one of the era's most stirring historical recordings. Walter Kiernan eventually hosted his own news analysis program, Kiernan's Korner, which ran throughout 1948 for ABC Radio. On ABC Radio in 1948 he had a chat program called That Reminds Me, with former New Jersey Governor Harold Hoffman and "Uncle Jim" Harkins. He had an ABC radio chat show in 1951 called Family Circle. Among his guests was Winston Churchill's actress daughter Sarah.

Radio and television Kiernan began a news program on WJZ radio in New York City in 1943. In more national issues he was an early outspoken critic of United States policy in Vietnam, raising objections as early as 1965, and later covering the Paris peace talks.

Kiernan was most remembered in political circles for his reporting of every national political convention from 1940 through 1972. Kiernan retired from journalism after covering the 1968 Republican Convention in Miami.

Personal life and death Kiernan was married to the former Helen Hastings at the time of his death. He had three sons. He died on January 8, 1978, in Daytona Beach, Florida, aged 75.