WHEREAS, John Edward James, Jr. was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1920; and
WHEREAS, Mr. James, began serving in the United States Army at the age of 21 in 1941 as a private, bravely serving in a total of five overseas campaigns and serving his country with distinction and grace; and
WHEREAS, Throughout Mr. James’ service in the US Army, he received a total of five war medals, including a Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, a World War II Victory Medal, and a European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; and
WHEREAS, In 1942, Mr. James completed officer candidate training at The Infantry School at Fort Benning, one of only 21 men of color in a graduating class of 200. Mr. James, should have been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and assigned to the 242nd Quartermaster Battalion; and
WHEREAS, His commission as a 2nd
Lieutenant in the 242nd Quartermaster Battalion would have put him in charge of white officers – leading to his commission being denied, with Mr. James remaining a private; and
WHEREAS, After his family pursued the issue for years, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army official declared that the Army would approve Mr. James’ commission in March 2018; and
WHEREAS, To honor this momentous occasion the Museum of the American Revolution, with its Board Chair and Acting CEO General John Jumper decided to hold the commissioning ceremony at the Museum to celebrate the event and to help right the wrongs of the past; and
WHEREAS, Mr. James comes from a family of patriots. His great-great-great grandfather served during the American Revolutionary War as a Sergeant in the Continental Army, and was at the Valley Forge encampment in 1777-1778; and
WHEREAS, Another relative during the American Revolutionary War was a farmer, and provided supplies to the Continental Army. Lastly, another relative served during the War of 1812 as a private in the 2nd Regiment of Ballawe’s Virginia Militia fighting to maintain America’s freedom; and his grandfather served in the 1st US Colored Infantry during the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, Helping to right the wrongs of the past and honoring our veterans a few of things we can do as a legislative body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby congratulates 2nd Lt. John Edward James, Jr for his recent commission, and thanking him for his service during World War II. As well as thanking General John Jumper and the Museum of the American Revolution for holding the Commissioning Ceremony.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to 2nd Lt. John Edward James Jr, as a sincere expression of the Council of the City of Philadelphia’s gratitude, admiration, and recognition.
End