Strickler was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on May 17, 1897. He attended the public schools of Columbia, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Columbia High School in 1916. He was president of his class in his junior and senior years, captained the track team, and played baseball and basketball.
Start of military career
He enlisted as a private in the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment in January 1916. He was soon promoted to corporal and sergeant, and in April 1917 received his commission as a second lieutenant. In July 1917 his unit was mobilized for participation in the Mexican Border Conflict.
In September 1917 Strickler was promoted to first lieutenant. After reorganization for World War I, Strickler's company became Company B of the 109th Machine Gun Battalion, a unit of the 28th Infantry Division. Strickler served in five campaigns, was wounded, and received the Purple Heart.
Post-World War I
After the war Strickler enrolled in Cornell Law School. He served as president of the Quill and Dagger society in his senior year, was captain of the track team, and was a member of the Senior Honor Society. Strickler was also president of the senior class, and a member of the Alpha Kappa chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He received his LL.B. degree in 1922, and returned to Lancaster to practice law.
Active in politics as a Republican, in 1930 Strickler won a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and he served one term, 1931 to 1933. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1932. That same year he was appointed Lancaster's police commissioner; he served until 1933, and worked aggressively to combat bootleggers until the end of Prohibition. From 1933 to 1942 he was Lancaster's city solicitor.
World War II
Strickler had continued his military service as a member of the Organized Reserve after the first World War, receiving promotion to captain in 1918, major in 1922, lieutenant colonel in 1928, and colonel in 1935. He graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and from 1935 to 1938 he commanded the 313th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 79th Infantry Division. From 1938 to 1942 he commanded the division's 158th Infantry Brigade.
Strickler accepted a reduction in rank to lieutenant colonel in order to command 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 28th Infantry Division. He later served as commander of 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry. In September 1944 he became commander of the 109th Infantry, which he led until December, when he was named to command of the 110th Infantry Regiment, which he led until the end of the war, again receiving promotion to colonel. He commanded troops during the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge, and received the Silver Star for heroism during the Battle of the Bulge.
Post-World War II
In 1946 Strickler was promoted to brigadier general as deputy commander of the 28th Infantry Division. The same year he was elected lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. He served from 1947 until 1951.
Return to active duty
In the waning days of his term, Strickler resigned as Lieutenant Governor to become commander of the 28th Infantry Division as a major general when it was activated for service in West Germany during the Korean War. He served with the division until 1952, and remained on active duty after the division was demobilized.
^Note: By virtue of their positions as President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, Harvey Taylor (from January 2 through January 7) and Weldon Heyburn (from January 7 through January 21) served as Acting Lieutenant Governor for the duration of John Bell's governorship in 1947. Bell was the last permanent holder of the lieutenant governorship; he succeeded to the governorship when Edward Martin resigned to take a seat in the U.S. Senate.
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