<p>
The death of <em>Paul Delmont Bunker</em> in a Japanese prison camp at Taiwan on September 7, 1943, marked the passing of one of West Point’s football immortals. He was equally at home in the line as he was in the backfield. Walter Camp recognized this when in 1901 he named Paul Bunker as tackle on his All American team, and the following year, he named him for the All American team again, even though Bunker had been playing half back in the Army backfield. Only one other football player has made Walter Camp’s All American team in two different positions. Throughout his entire life, he maintained the same competitive spirit and determination to win that he had shown on the football field at West Point.</p>
<p>
Paul Bunker loved life and continued throughout to live it thoroughly. His alert body and mind could not be satisfied with the mere official routine of an officer’s life, so he became interested in art and science which in turn were translated into hobbies resulting in a home filled with valuable and growing collections. Unfortunately, the collections were all destroyed at Corregidor.</p>
<p>
Although born in Alpena, Michigan, almost his entire boyhood was spent in Massachusetts, from which state he was appointed to the Military Academy. During the first twelve years after graduation, Bunker’s life followed the usual military routine and duties of a Coast Artillery battery officer at many stations along the Atlantic coast from Fort Constitution, New Hampshire to Key West Barracks, Florida, including graduation from the Coast Artillery School.</p>
<p>
At Key West Barracks in 1908, he was married to Miss Leila Landon Beehler, the daughter of a Rear Admiral of the Navy. Three children were born to them, Paul D., Jr., who was later to lose his life in an airplane accident in Hawaii; William B., now a Colonel of Engineers; Priscilla, married to Major Brooke Maury, a prisoner of war in the Philippines.</p>
<p>
Bunker joined the 59th Coast Artillery in 1915 at Corregidor. He was to command this regiment twice in later years, the second time when Corregidor fell. While in the Philippines he was detailed in the Quartermaster Corps but was returned to the United States as soon as war was declared. Although given an important assignment in command of the New Orleans Quartermaster Depot, his temperament would not allow noncombat duty in time of war, so he transferred back to the Coast Artillery. During the war, he organized and trained the 41st Coast Artillery, in the meantime being rapidly promoted to the grade of Colonel.</p>
<p>
After the Armistice, he assumed command of Fort Amador, Panama, until 1921. Then followed many types of duty, including a tour with the Pennsylvania National Guard, graduation from the Advanced Course, Coast Artillery School and the Command and General Staff School, four years in the Historical Section of the Army War College, and in command of Fort Totten and the Harbor Defenses of Boston.</p>
<p>
He returned to the United States in 1937, following his command of the 59th Coast Artillery, and was assigned to duty with the Organized Reserves in Los Angeles, California. Though not due for Foreign Service in 1940, the opportunity was presented to return to his loved 59th Coast Artillery at Corregidor. Even though America’s entry into the world cauldron seemed abrewing, this was an opportunity he could not resist and in consequence, he remained with the regiment until the fateful day when human resistance reached its summit and the flag was lowered on Corregidor.</p>
<p>
Not until the history of Corregidor is written will we know of his actions on Corregidor. However, we can be sure that history will record magnificent fortitude and courage in the face of overwhelming odds with sublime and inspired leadership. Those of us who know him can easily visualize him as a tower of strength—leading and encouraging the heroic remnants of the 59th Coast Artillery.</p>
<p>
So Paul Bunker has joined that “long gray line” of sons of West Point who have died for their country. Consolation, such as there may be, can however be found in the words of General George C. Marshall: “Paul Bunker has made the great sacrifice in order that Americans may continue to live as a free people under a government of their own choosing. He died while serving as a soldier of his country. More cannot be said in honor of his memory.”</p>
<p>
<em>—A Classmate</em></p>
<p>
</p>