[2] After serving under General John J. Pershing in France during World War I, he was admitted to the California State Bar in 1913, and began his career as an attorney, eventually gaining notoriety as a Stockton City judge and local president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Atherton had to overcome opposition by Representative John E. Rankin, a Mississippi Democrat and segregationist, who at first co-sponsored the bill, but then opposed it.

[11] The Bill passed through Congress in 1944 in a bipartisan effort led by Atherton as Head of his the American Legion, who wanted to reward practically all wartime veterans.

[18] The New York Times reported on July 24, 1953, his appointment to the reconstituted National Security Training Commission.

[24] Atherton died on March 7, 1976, and was buried at Morris Chapel within the University of the Pacific in Stockton, where his papers are housed today.

[26] The San Joaquin Delta College campus has the Warren Atherton Auditorium, a 1,428-seat performance venue where concerts are hosted.