Bucks County Chapter, DAR Honors U.S. Army Lt. John E. James, Jr.

The Bucks County Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) honored Lt. John E. James, Jr. on his recent, and long overdue, commission from the United States Army. Lt. James was drafted into the United States Army in 1941, where he attended Officer’s Training School. When time came for him to receive his commission along with his fellow classmates, he was told he would not be receiving this commission. Lt. James is quoted as saying, “he never asked why, he just followed orders.”

His daughter Dr. Marion T. Lane, upon finding records of his attendance at Officer’s Training School, began the process of ensuring that her father would receive this honor. She filed the necessary paperwork with the U.S. government and was turned down twice. She then turned to U.S. Senator Bob Casey from Pennsylvania who assisted in securing this commission. Lt. James was finally awarded his rank during a commissioning ceremony in June of 2018, 75 years after he was due this honor. Lt. James was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and raised in Charles City, Virginia. He and his late wife Mary Elizabeth had 3 children.

Lt. James was honored by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Bucks County Chapter on October 20, 2018 at a luncheon held at the Joseph Ambler Inn in North Wales, PA. In his honor, the DAR collected $525 in gift cards, which will be donated to the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

In attendance was The Honorable Brian Fitzpatrick, US Representative for Pennsylvania’s 8th district. Representative Fitzpatrick thanked Lt. James for his service, and presented, on behalf of the U.S. House of Representative, a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capital Building in his honor. He was also awarded a Certificate of Honor from the NSDAR.

The Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit group, working to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. If you would like to learn more about DAR visit www.buckscountydar.org.