World War II Sumter de Leon Lowry Jr. (August 27, 1893 – February 3, 1985) was an American insurance executive, National Guard officer, and political candidate from Florida.

After the war, he participated in the Florida National Guard's reorganization by helping organize the 116th Field Artillery Regiment, which he eventually commanded as a colonel.

Lowry was among the Florida National Guard members activated for World War II; he commanded the 31st Infantry Division Artillery, and participated in the Dutch East Indies and New Guinea campaigns, for which he received the Bronze Star Medal and other awards.

After returning to Florida after the war, Lowry aided in the state's post–war National Guard reorganization, and was assigned to command the 51st Infantry Division as a major general.

An ardent anti–communist and a believer in racial segregation, Lowry regarded the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s as an extension of a plot to spread communism throughout the world.

Running on the single issue of maintaining school segregation, Lowry failed to gain much traction, and was defeated by incumbent LeRoy Collins, who went on to win the general election.

[2][3] Lowry Sr. and his wife became active in a host of Tampa area civic causes and historical projects, including leadership roles in the Sons of Confederate Veterans and Daughters of the Confederacy.

[12][13] Lowry was "exceedingly successful as a businessman" and his other ventures included real estate development in Florida and nearby states, and serving as chairman of the board for both Jacksonville's Bushnell Steel Company and Havana's Cuban American Metal Distributors.

[16] Lowry began his military career after his VMI graduation in 1914 by assisting in the creation of Company H, 2nd Florida Infantry, which he was elected to command with the rank of captain.

[18] The Armistice of November 11, 1918 ended the war before Lowry saw active combat, and he commanded his company during post–war occupation duty until January 1919, when he returned to the United States.

[11] Lowry's unit took part in the Dutch East Indies and New Guinea campaigns against the Japanese, and returned home in early 1945.

[11] After returning to the United States, Lowry served as assistant commandant of the Infantry Replacement Training Center at Camp Livingston, Louisiana until he was discharged from active duty following the end of the war.

His highly efficient direction of amphibious and mountain training prior to overseas movement resulted in eminently successful artillery employment against the Japanese at Maffin Bay, New Guinea from July to September 1944.

Again on the island of Morotai, Dutch East Indies, at about H plus 1, he landed the division artillery with great skill and aggressiveness, overcoming tremendous difficulties.

[14]: 22  In addition, Lowry regarded the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s as part of an international plot to spread communism worldwide.

As he expressed it in a January 11, 1956, address to the Duval County Democratic Executive Committee, just before he announced his candidacy for governor: Our great nation was created by white men.

[14]: 47, 60  According to contemporary accounts, Lowry was "responsible for injecting the segregation question into the [1956] campaign" and "saw desegregation as part of the 'international Communist conspiracy.

[39] This organization created and distributed materials warning about the dangers it perceived in communism and the United Nations, which it argued were attempting to eliminate U.S. sovereignty and establish a single worldwide government.

[39] Lowry authored some of these works himself, including 1965's America's Book of Infamy, a pamphlet form of an open letter he wrote to President Lyndon B. Johnson detailing over 100 supposed insults to the honor of the United States, and demanding that the United States retaliate or risk losing its standing in the world.

Lowry was also active in other right–wing organizations, including the John Birch Society, the Christian Crusade of Billy James Hargis, the Federation for Constitutional Government, and the Liberty Lobby.

[43] He was also active in efforts to improve Tampa and preserve his family's legacy, including purchasing an elephant in 1960, which he donated to the Lowry Park Zoo.

[49] In announcing the award, the club's spokesman said Civitan selected Lowry in recognition of his many years of service to the community, including his military experience, civic and charitable efforts, and work to promote patriotism and anticommunism.

[50] VMI presents an annual award, The Society of the Cincinnati Medal, to a top performing cadet, and Lowry was the 1914 recipient.