[3] Cherry served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1944.

In 1952,[4] Cherry was elected to the Arkansas governorship, defeating Sid McMath who was running for a third term.

In 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Cherry to the Federal Subversive Activities Control Board.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy made Cherry the chairman of the board.

At the time of his death in 1965, Cherry was the Chairman of the Federal Subversive Activities Control Board.