January 2025 Meeting Summary

The speaker at our dinner meeting on January 15th was Christopher L. Kolakowski, Director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. He gave an outstanding presentation about his recent book titled: Tenth Army Commander, the Writings of Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr., 1944-45. Attendance at the January dinner meeting was 45.

Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. was a major figure in the Pacific War, directing the defense of Alaska and leading the Tenth Army in the Battle of Okinawa until his death by enemy fire on June 18, 1945. The son and namesake of a Confederate general, he led a remarkable life and is the senior American killed by enemy fire in WWII and the 20th Century. The program covered General Buckner’s background, family, and military career, with an emphasis on his time in the Pacific.

Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr. is the father of Round Table member William C. “Bill” Buckner and the grandfather of Round Table member Simon Bolivar “Chip” Buckner, IV.