James J. Donovan

James J. Donovan (1890-1971,) the Mayor of Bayonne from 1939-1943, led the anti-Hague movement on the Home rule ticket. He wanted to put the emphasis on Bayonne Ruling Bayonne, not Jersey City politicians running Bayonne. Called Home Rule. He was elected by the largest margin in the history of Bayonne politics.

Biography

Donavan served in the Medical Corp in World War I. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.), the United States' second highest military honor, for his bravery at Grand Prix, France in October, 1918. He also received the Italian Cross from the Italian government at New York City Hall in 1919.

Bayonne's Naval Base

In 1942, Donovan and his administration lobbied United States Naval officials to locate a base at the old port terminal in Bayonne. The base would become one of the most strategically important on the East coast, while providing many jobs for Bayonne citizens.

In October 2009, the City Council of Bayonne passed a resolution to dedicate a park in Donovan's memory at the old Navy base site. The park has yet to be built, or dedicated.