[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 131 (Thursday, August 4, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S4036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JAMES BOLLICH

  Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, James Bollich was born on April 15, 1921, 
in Mowata, LA. As a young man, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and 
participated in Louisiana maneuvers in 1941.
  In 1942, he was deployed to the Philippines, and 18 days after his 
arrival, Congress voted to enter World War II. Mr. Bollich served as an 
infantryman on the island of Luzon and fought valiantly during the 
Battle of Bataan. He was captured by Imperial Japanese forces and was 
forced to endure the Bataan Death March. Mr. Bollich later spent more 
than 3 years as a prisoner of war in Mukden, Manchuria. On August 15, 
1945, his 24th birthday, Mr. Bollich and his fellow survivors were 
freed by the Russian Army.
  After the war, Mr. Bollich transitioned into civilian life, and 
attended college at the University of Southwest Louisiana. He and his 
wife Celia raised their family in Lafayette, LA, and worked as an 
exploration geologist until his retirement in 1986. He was the author 
of several books including ``A Soldier's Story,'' where he detailed his 
time as a serviceman and a prisoner of war.
  Mr. Bollich received many commendations during his military service 
including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star medal, Prisoner of War medal, 
WWII Victory medal, Presidential Unit citation with two oakleaf 
clusters, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific medal with 2 bronze 
stars, Army Good Conduct medal, American Defense medal with one bronze 
star, Philippine Presidents badge, Philippine Defense medal, Philippine 
Liberation medal, and the Philippine Independence medal.
  In one of our Nation's darkest times, James Bollich answered the call 
and served this country with esteem and dignity. Mr. Bollich was an 
American hero and should be honored as such.

                          ____________________