World War II
JAMES JOSEPH BOHNERT was born on October 31, 1925 in Longtown, Missouri, the son of JohnVincent and Sarah Helen Bohnert.
On November 1, 1943, the day after his 18th birthday, James Bohnert registered for the the draft. At the time he was living with his parents at 317 Coina Street - a street that was later renamed Edgemont Boulevard. He was working at Anderson Air Activities in McBride, Missouri. He listed his father, John Bohnert, as "person who will always know your address." James was described as 5 foot 7 inches tall, light complexion with brown eyes and brown hair. His weight was 137 pounds.
James' brother, Robert, had enlisted in the Marines in 1942 and, therefore, was obligated to serve for four years. James didn't want to serve for that long so he waited until he was drafted into the Navy in 1944 and served for the duration of the war. In his own words he "didn't want to die in a foxhole." He had wanted to join the Merchant Marines when he was 17 but his mother wouldn't give him permission.
James was drafted on January 20, 1944. Six days later, on January 26, 1944, he entered active service at the Farragut Naval Training Station near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, 300 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. His rank at that time was SA (Seaman Apprentice).
James Joseph "Chink" Bohnert
U.S. Navy - World War II
James Joseph "Chink" Bohnert
U.S. Navy - World War II - Draft Registration Documents
Farragut Naval Training Station
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
After completing his basic training, James boarded the USS Essex on or shortly before April 16th, 1944. His Naval rank is listed as S2C (Seaman 2nd Class). The Essex set sail from port in San Francisco, California. The destination - undoubtedy classified - was simply listed as "Fray." On June 40, 1944, James was listed among the crew muster roles on the Naval Air Base Navy Number 3234, the postal designation for the Majuro Atoll in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Muster Roll of the USS Essex
April, 1944
While on Majuro, James recalled a visit by Admiral Chester Nimitz, Fleet Admiral of the U.S. Navy and Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet. Someone snapped a photo of the Admiral and James stepped in front of the camera at just the right time to be included. He recalled that he later found the photo unattended so he picked it up and stored it in his seabag. Unfortunately, its whereabouts are unknown.
James J. Bohnert (back row left)
Marshall Islands, World War II
After serving on Majuro, James was assigned to Naval Air Base Navy Number 3237 - the Eniwetok Atoll, also in the Marshall Islands. The Battle of Eniwetok took place between February 17th and February 21, 1944. An important battle that provided an airfield and harbor to support attacks of the Mariana Islands to the northwest. Over 340 Americans and 3380 Japanese were killed in. James was given the grim task of helping to bury the dead over three months after the battle.
James recalled a time when he was on board the USS Altimaha, an escort aircraft carrier in the United States Navy during World War II. He remembers walking on the deck of the ship and hearing piano music. Following the music, he was surprised to find the piano player was Waldemar Trapp, another young man who he knew from his home town of Perryville, Missouri. Waldemar's son, Lynn, related that his father often spoke of James when reminiscing about the his time in the war.
James J. Bohnert and Waldemar Trapp
USS Altimaha - World War II
USS Altimaha
Escort Aircraft Carrier - World War II
James Bohnert (center)
Tymon J. "Squeaky Brown (2nd from right)
(Hart) Curtis Hutchinson (left)
James Bohnert (right)
Tymon J. "Squeaky Brown (center)
The end of the war came when James was stationed on Parry Island. He recalled that, when he heard the news, he was standing next to a blown out tree stump. He said that he and the other men were "pretty tickled."
James had been sending money home to his family during the war. When the war ended, he was granted an early discharge due to his status of having "dependents." Sailors who didn't have dependents were required to remain in service longer. Upon returning to St. Louis, he recalls that the first thing he purchased was a "fancy metal cigarrette case." He also purchased a taylor-made uniform for $40 (which was very expensive at that time). He recalls that it was so tight that he had to put his head down and stand on the collar to pull the top over his head.
James J. Bohnert was in the United States Navy for two years, achieving the rank of S1C (Seaman First Class). During his service, he was awarded three service ribbons: American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, and the Victory Ribbon. On January 1, 1946, he was awarded an Honorable discharge from the U.S. Naval Personnel Separation Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. He recalls taking a train from Perryville, Missouri to Chicago, Illinois, to receive his discharge. Upon arrival, they told him that he could have just gone to St. Louis and been discharged from there. Perry County, Missouri, lost 43 men to the war from 1941 - 1945.
Certificate of Honorable Discharge
United States Navy
Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Service
Discharge Papers
James returned to live in the house of his parents at 317 Edgemont Boulevard (Coina Street prior to the war). As a returning veteran, he received $20 per month from the government. He didn't recall having any other employment between leaving the service in January, 1946 and January, 1948.
On Wednesday, August 14, 1946 (one day before the first anniversary of VJ Day), Perryville held a Welcome Home Celebration for the men and women who served their county during World War II.
James once again donned his Navy uniform and joined his fellow veterans in a parade down Saint Joseph Street, with flag waving citizens lining the streets, to the Seminary Picnic Grove where the celebration was held.
It is almost certain that the picture on the left was taken on that day. In it, James and two sailors are standing on the Court House lawn on the north side of the square in Perryville, Missouri. James recalled the picture being taken but not who the third man in the picture was.
James also recalled the stores in the background as (from left to right): Atlantic and Pacific (A&P) Grocery store, Ludwig's Clothing Store and Delasu's Drug Store.
Courthouse Square, Perryville, Missouri
(lt - rt) Elmer Richardet, Unknown, James Bohnert
The headline below was from a newspaper that James had saved for 74 years.
Perry County Republican
August 1. 1946 - Perryville, Missouri
It was at the Seminary Picnic Grove during this celebration
that James Bohnert met his future bride, Rose Anna Gibbar.