by Rachel Petty
Mr. Bass signs books for patrons at the Smith County Heritage Museum
CARTHAGE, Tenn. — On the evening of May 18, 2018, a group of locals gathered at the Smith County Heritage Museum to listen to author and attorney James L. Bass discuss his three-volume book series about World War II, Fait Accompli: A Historical Account of the 457th Bomb Group. Bass was available for a book signing after the discussion.
Bass is a World War II veteran and a recipient of the French Foreign Legion award. He was involved with the 457th Bomb Group as a radio operator and a gunner. He participated in the air campaigns over Europe during the second World War.
Tip Reid, a member of the Heritage Museum Board, welcomed the crowd and introduced Mr. Bass by reading a synopsis of each of his books.
Bass then proceeded to transport the crowd back in time as he told engaging stories about his experiences in the war.
Bass also included stories about his life after the war. After returning from Europe, he received a degree from the University of Tennessee and then studied law at Vanderbilt University.
“I also had in mind somewhere down the line getting married, having the family, and living the happy life in Smith County. So I came back home,” Bass said.
The conversation then turned to the research Bass had conducted in order to complete his books.
Bass was motivated to do research about the 457th Bomb Group because of how little he actually knew about his situation in the war. He said that groups of soldiers were often not told even the most basic details of location and whom they were bombing.
Bass said, “All they did was to give us a little lecture the next day: Here you are. Now you’ve got a job to do, and you’re expected to do it. I began to wonder what did we do, or where were we. Tell us something.”
Bass found enough material for three books as he pursued these questions.
Proceeds from book sales after the event went to the Smith County Heritage Museum. This is the first time a book signing has taken place there.
“I think we’re very fortunate to put together Mr. Bass for the presentation with the museum to present our history of the people of Smith County. This is our first event,” Reid said. “We should have many more.”
The Smith County Heritage Museum is located at 107 Third Avenue East in Carthage, Tennessee. The museum is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
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