Buell A. Nesbett
Encyclopedia
Buell Arthur Nesbett (born New Mexico
, June 2, 1910; died Anchorage
, Alaska
August 17, 1993) was an American soldier, lawyer, businessman, and the first Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court
.
Born in New Mexico, Nesbett earned his law degree at the University of San Francisco
in 1940 and served with distinction in the Navy during World War II
, commanding the USS Atlas
and earning a Bronze Star
.
He settled in Anchorage, Alaska after the war and practiced law until his appointment in 1959 to be the first Chief Justice of the newly created Alaska Supreme Court. Given three years to set up the new state's courts, he accomplished the job in 6 months. He served on the court until 1970, when an airplane accident led him to resign for reasons of health.
Nesbett was also involved with an effort to reopen an Alaskan coal mine; he was president of the Buffalo Coal Mining Company and suffered financial losses when the company was unable to successfully reopen the mine.
Nesbett married Enid Elsie "Barbara" Allen, an English nurse whom he met in England during the war; he left 6 children, 2 sons and 4 daughters, at the time of his death.
The state courthouse in Anchorage is named in his honor.
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, June 2, 1910; died Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
August 17, 1993) was an American soldier, lawyer, businessman, and the first Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court
Alaska Supreme Court
The Alaska Supreme Court is the state supreme court in the State of Alaska's judicial department . The supreme court is composed of the chief justice and four associate justices, who are all appointed by the governor of Alaska and face judicial retention elections and who choose one of their own...
.
Born in New Mexico, Nesbett earned his law degree at the University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
in 1940 and served with distinction in the Navy during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, commanding the USS Atlas
USS Atlas (ARL-7)
USS Atlas was one of 39 Achelous-class landing craft repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Atlas , she was the second U.S...
and earning a Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
.
He settled in Anchorage, Alaska after the war and practiced law until his appointment in 1959 to be the first Chief Justice of the newly created Alaska Supreme Court. Given three years to set up the new state's courts, he accomplished the job in 6 months. He served on the court until 1970, when an airplane accident led him to resign for reasons of health.
Nesbett was also involved with an effort to reopen an Alaskan coal mine; he was president of the Buffalo Coal Mining Company and suffered financial losses when the company was unable to successfully reopen the mine.
Nesbett married Enid Elsie "Barbara" Allen, an English nurse whom he met in England during the war; he left 6 children, 2 sons and 4 daughters, at the time of his death.
The state courthouse in Anchorage is named in his honor.