[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18423]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING JAMES J. BOLLICH AS 2010 AMERICAN LEGION POST 241 
                        LEGIONNAIRE OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. CHARLES W. BOUSTANY, JR.

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 30, 2010

  Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize Sergeant James J. 
Bollich who was recently named Legionnaire of the Year by American 
Legion Post 241 in Lafayette, Louisiana. Sergeant Bollich served this 
Nation with honor and distinction, and has lived an exemplary American 
life worthy of approbation.
  Sergeant Bollich was born in the small farm community of Mowata and 
attended college at Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now the 
University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His time there was cut short, as 
in 1940 he joined the Army Air Corps at Barksdale Field in Shreveport, 
and participated in the Louisiana Maneuvers in 1941. His squadron was 
sent overseas, where he fought for the defense of the Philippines.
  Serving as an infantryman during the Battle of Bataan, Bollich was 
captured by the Japanese and was forced to participate in the Bataan 
Death March as a prisoner of war. Despite the cruelty endured at the 
hands of his captors, and the thousands of deaths of his fellow 
servicemen he witnessed, Bollich bravely persevered and survived. He 
ultimately spent three and a half years at the Japanese POW camp in San 
Fernando before he and his fellow survivors were freed by the Russian 
Army in 1945.
  After his harrowing ordeal, he returned to the United States and 
returned to college. Upon graduating, he worked as a subsurface 
petroleum geologist until his retirement. He has written several books, 
including ``A Soldier's Story'' which told his story of his time as a 
prisoner of war. For his courage in the face of unimaginable hardship, 
he received several commendations and medals, including the Bronze 
Star, the Victory Medal, and the POW medal. In addition to this, he was 
recently inducted to the Louisiana Veterans Hall of Honor. He has 
sacrificed much for his country, and should serve as an example and a 
reminder of true patriotism to this Nation.
  It goes without saying that Sergeant James J. Bollich is very 
deserving of the honor of being named American Legion Post 241's 
Legionnaire of the Year. His story is one of bravery and dedication, 
and I am honored to serve as his member of Congress. He is part of our 
``Greatest Generation'' and my words cannot express the gratitude we 
should all show to those who served in World War II. I wholeheartedly 
thank Sergeant Bollich for his service to the United States, and I 
congratulate him on this most recent honor.

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