Leaving law school early to enter the military for World War I, McNamara served in the United States Army and attained the rank of sergeant as a member of the 87th Division.

After leaving the Army, McNamara was admitted to the bar and began to practice law in Burlington, Vermont.

He held the post through the administrations of Democrats Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman, and resigned after Republican Dwight Eisenhower became president.

[2] In 1918 he received the school's "war diploma", which was awarded to students near to graduation who left early to enter military service.

[3] He was undergoing his initial military training at the University of Vermont in Burlington in July 1918 when he was permitted to take a special bar exam.

[6] The 87th Division had not completed its final pre-combat training before the war ended in November, so its members were used as replacements for soldiers in other units who had been killed or wounded, and to construct roads, bases and other facilities.

[12] In 1930, he was the Democratic nominee in Vermont's 1st congressional district, and received 42 percent of the vote in his unsuccessful race against Republican John E. Weeks, who was the incumbent governor.

[12] Franklin Roosevelt won the presidency in 1932, enabling him to make appointments of US Attorneys once his term commenced in March 1933.

[13] Because the U.S. Attorney's caseload did not require a full time prosecutor, McNamara continued to practice law.

[16] Among his notable cases was his defense in 1966 and 1967 of State Senator and Vermont Democratic Party chairman Frederick J. Fayette, who was accused of accepting a bribe to influence the appointment of the postmaster in St.

[1][20] They were the parents of son James J. and daughters Maureen, Nancy (Mrs. Clifton Harris) and Martha (Mrs. Russell Mahoney).