William Patterson MacCracken, Jr.

William Patterson MacCracken Jr. (September 17, 1888 - September 20, 1969) was the first U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for aeronautics. His department was awarded the Collier Trophy of 1928 for its contribution to the "development of airways and air navigation facilities". Later he was convicted of contempt of congress in the Air Mail scandal in 1934.

Biography MacCracken was born in Chicago, Illinois, September 17, 1888, to William P. MacCracken and Mary Elizabeth Avery (MacCracken). He studied law at the University of Chicago and earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1911. His practice in Chicago was interrupted by his service as a flight instructor in the Air Service during World War I. He married Sally Lucille Lewis on September 14, 1918. From 1922 to 26 he was a member of the board of governors of the National Aeronautic Association, and from 1920 to 1938 he was a member of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. and forced him to serve his sentence. According to The Washington Post, "Chesley Jurney, the Senate sargeant at arms, had no place to hold MacCracken who, after being sentenced, showed up at Jurney's house and stayed the night. The next day he was confined to a room at the Willard Hotel".

From 1942 to 1968 MacCracken was an attorney for the American Optometric Association.

A biography of William P. MacCracken was assembled and published by Southern College of Optometry.

He died on September 20, 1969, in Washington, D.C.

Honors Secretary, American Bar Association 1925 to 36 April 6, 1927 recipient of the first pilot certificate issued by the Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce. Collier Trophy 1928 (Aeronautics branch of US Department of Commerce) LL.D. Norwich University, Northfield Vermont 1936 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy 1959