[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 25 (Thursday, March 2, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E276-E277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING COLONEL JAMES E. BEAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON LEWIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 2, 2006

  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
remarkable soldier and citizen from my congressional district. Colonel 
James E. Bean, a longtime resident of Bardstown, Kentucky, passed away 
peacefully January 4th at age 82. Colonel Bean was a local hero, 
remembered for his athletic achievements as a young man and military 
heroism as a fighter pilot, flying combat missions in World War II, the 
Korean War and the Vietnam War.
  Colonel Bean was born in 1923 on a farm at Cox's Creek, KY. He 
graduated from Bardstown High School in 1942. A football and basketball 
All Star, Colonel Bean was especially remembered for being the signal 
caller on offense and fullback of the legendary unbeaten 1941 Bardstown 
High School football team. He matriculated to the University of 
Kentucky on a football scholarship later that fall but cut short his 
collegiate career soon thereafter to join the U.S. Army Air Corps. He 
was called to active duty in early 1943, assigned to Foster Field, 
Texas as an Advanced Flying School inspector. He was commissioned a 
Second Lieutenant in January, 1944 and assigned to the European 
Theater, where he flew 41 combat missions in Germany and France.
  Upon his return to the United Sates, Colonel Bean completed numerous 
assignments testing and flying Air Force fighter aircraft. He was 
assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada in 1960 to establish and 
operate the F-105 aircraft flight training program for all Air Force 
units. He later carried out assignments in Japan with the 8th Tactical 
Fighting Wing, completing several short tours in Southeast Asia, before 
returning to the United States to serve as an Air Force duty officer at 
the Pentagon. Colonel Bean volunteered and was assigned to the 388th 
Tactical Fighting Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in 
October, 1967.
  On January 3, 1968 while flying an F-105 combat mission over North 
Vietnam, his aircraft was shot down near Hanoi. Colonel Bean was 
captured by the North Vietnamese and held as a Prisoner of War until 
his release March 14, 1973.
  James Bean retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel in 
1974. He returned to Kentucky, where he enjoyed a peaceful retirement 
with his wife until his death in January. He was a member of the 
Bardstown High School Hall of Fame, State President of Future Farmers 
of America, a Shriner, Mason, Kentucky Colonel, member of the American 
Legion, Kentucky Pork Producers, and communicant at the Bardstown 
Baptist Church.
  James Bean's remarkable life is one of a true American hero. His 
distinguished service and unique sacrifice for his country represent 
the very best of what it means to be an American soldier. His 
achievements as a citizen, especially his unwavering dedication to his 
family and his community, are further marks of greatness worthy of our 
collective respect and appreciation. It is my great privilege to honor 
his memory today, before the entire U.S. House of Representatives. May 
he rest in peace.

[[Page E277]]



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