James J. Donovan

Who is James J. Donovan?

James J. Donovan 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.

Donavan served in the Medical Corp in World War I. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, 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.