[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JAMES BONNER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SONNY CALLAHAN

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 1996

  Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Speaker, when Alabama was redistricted a few years 
ago, Wilcox County was taken from the 1st District and put in the 7th 
District. While I am no longer privileged to represent the people of 
Wilcox County here in the House of Representatives, I obviously made a 
lot of friends there over the years, and I still value those 
friendships very much.
  One of those friends is James Bonner. James is a man who tells it 
like he sees it, which in this day and time is a rare quality indeed. 
And if you are lucky enough to count James as your friend, you know 
you've got a friend for life.
  James was recently honored with a front page tribute in his hometown 
newspaper, the Wilcox Progressive Era. The headline of the story tells 
it all--``James Bonner: One of Camden's living legends.''
  Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to submit for the Record the 
entire article on James Bonner, written by our mutual friend, M. Hollis 
Curl, the editor and publisher of the Progressive Era. And while I'm at 
it, I'd like to join Hollis in adding my thanks, too, to James, for all 
he has done for so many people. Keep it up, James, for many more years 
to come.

              James Bonner: One of Camden's Living Legends

       If you're among Camden's younger residents--below 40--or a 
     newcomer, chances are you don't know a whole lot about the 
     elderly gentleman you've seen making his way along Broad 
     Street each morning with the help of an aluminum walker and 
     under the watchful eye of his driver or secretary.
       If you're a native of Camden--one of the oldtimers--you 
     know the gentleman as Mr. James Bonner. If you do know him 
     chances are, small town's being what they are, that you have 
     strong opinions about him; just as he certainly does about 
     you.
       Yes, sir, James Bonner is a forceful, opinionated 
     individual. If he likes you, you have a friend forever. And 
     no one is ever likely to know the breadth of his benevolence. 
     James has helped failing businesses, folks with catastrophic 
     illnesses, and he has sent numerous kids to school. He has a 
     big, big heart. We just hope he doesn't take offense at our 
     noting the softer side of his personality!
       On the other hand, if he doesn't like you you can at least 
     take comfort in the fact that your transgression has merited 
     you the considerable wrath of a formidable adversary! James 
     doesn't waste his time on petty individuals.
       We heard a fellow say the other day that ``James Bonner 
     would wrestle a circle saw when he was younger''. That's true 
     as far as it goes. Actually, James Bonner will take on any 
     foe right now. Eighty-plus years have not diminished his zest 
     for espousing causes and pursuing them to satisfactory 
     conclusions.
       In the old days--when Bonner Brothers consisted of his late 
     brothers Billy and Josiah Robins (James' twin) the trio were 
     genuine movers and shakers in the Wilcox County community.
       Land, timber and minerals were their primary focus but they 
     dabbled in other things too. Billy, it is said, did yoeman 
     duty while Jo Robins--who was Probate Judge at the time of 
     his death--handled lawyering. Nobody ever doubted, though, 
     that James Bonner was the thinker in that trinity.
       But things have changed somewhat. Time--and better than 
     eighty years--mandate a few changes. But none have been 
     mental. James Bonner is as sharp today as he was back in 1929 
     when he left Wilcox County to attend Erskine College.
       When he returned in the early 30's he taught school at Oak 
     Grover near Pine Hill. He was at one time principal of that 
     school and the one at Lower Peach Tree.
       When World War II broke out James volunteered as a buck 
     private in the Army Air Corps. He quickly advanced to 
     corporal and it wasn't long before his superiors sent him to 
     Officer Candidate School at Miami Beach.
       After graduating as a lieutenant, James went to Wright 
     Field in Ohio. A brief stint at the intelligence school in 
     Harrisburg, PA, earned him the position of Post Intelligence 
     Officer at what was to become Wright-Patterson AFB.
       It was about then, with the war in full swing, that James 
     recalled that his grandfather CSA Major James Bonner had been 
     a courier during the War Between The States. That bit of 
     family heritage prompted him to volunteer for often dangerous 
     duty in the Courier Service.
       As a courier stationed in San Francisco, James traveled all 
     over the war-torn world under direct order from President 
     Franklin D. Roosevelt. He delivered invasion maps and 
     decoding equipment to forces fighting in the South Pacific, 
     Australia, India and etc. It was while in New Guinea 
     delivering these maps to General Douglas McArthur that his 
     ship was torpedoed by the Japanese. Luckily, the torpedo was 
     a dud and did not explode.
       Once, while waiting on the airstrip at the Pacific island 
     of Biak, the Japanese bombed the strip while James was on the 
     flight line. It was there that he met Col. Bill Darwin (who 
     now lives in Camden) who was in charge of the anti aircraft 
     unit guarding the field. James says he recalls vividly 
     watching Bill's men repel the Japs.
       James' recollection of WWII also includes memories of Lt. 
     Gen. David Godwin Barr, of Nanafalia. Gen. Barr was 
     McArthur's assistant and directed the bombing of Japan and 
     the destruction of the Japanese fleet. Barr's air unit also 
     carried out the mission of dropping the Atomic bombs that 
     ended the war.
       After the war, James remembers, Col. R.R. ``Fritz'' 
     Carothers, of Oak Hill and Camden (Mayor at one time) was 
     assigned the job of special courier to carry pictures and 
     information directly to President Harry Truman.
       A sad memory for James was the death of a Camden native--a 
     young prisoner of war--who was murdered by the Japanese a 
     week after the Peace Treaty was signed aboard the deck of the 
     battleship Missouri.
       Following the war, James' courier unit was instrumental in 
     delivering the documents throughout the world to countries 
     which became part of the United Nations.
       When James Bonner returned to Camden after the war he was 
     confident that his military duty had been fulfilled. But it 
     was not to be. He was called back to active duty during the 
     Korean War to serve with the Strategic Air Command at 
     Barksdale AFB. Legendary general Curtis LeMay was his 
     commanding officer.
       James eventually did retire, with the rank of Major, and 
     has devoted his time to business--and worthy causes--ever 
     since.
       From a civic standpoint, James Bonner is the only surviving 
     member of the original Industrial Board which helped pave the 
     way for MacMillan Bloedel's coming to Wilcox County.
       And it was with the help of fellow civic leaders John Webb, 
     W.J. Bonner, Mrs. Clyde Miller and others that the Solomon 
     Brothers sewing plant came here and is now the oldest local 
     industry still operating with a steady payroll.
       James also worked with the late Dr. Shannon ``Shine'' 
     Hollinger, DVM, in securing a $1 million bond issue for the 
     establishment of Camden Mills on the Bypass. The facility 
     presently houses IKS Services.
       Yes, James Bonner has witnessed many changes over the 
     years. Some have been good and others not so good. He is 
     particularly disappointed by the fact that state politicians 
     have not kept the promises they made during the last 
     election.
       But from a civic standpoint is might be good that all the 
     promises haven't been kept. That means that James Bonner will 
     stay motivated to be a part of the things that make Camden 
     and Wilcox County better.
       Thanks James. Keep on Keeping on!

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