Bert Bank
Encyclopedia
Bertram "Bert" Bank was an American
politician
, war hero and radio
pioneer who was best known as the founder of the Alabama Football Radio Network. He was also the founder of two Tuscaloosa, Alabama
radio stations (WTBC and WUOA) and wrote the book Back From the Living Dead about his experiences as a POW and Bataan Death March
survivor.
and earned a law degree from the University of Alabama
in 1940. After graduating, he received a commission as a second lieutenant through the University's ROTC program and was assigned to the 27th Bomb Group. Bank served in the Pacific Theater
during World War II
. He was captured in 1942 and held as a POW by Japan
while serving in the Philippines
, surviving the Bataan Death March in the process. During his time as POW he was held at Camp O'Donnell
(Cabanatuan) before being relocated to the island of Mindanao
. He was back at Cabanatuan by the time of its liberation
by US Rangers near the end of the war.
After the war, Bank retired form the Air Force
with the rank of Major
and returned to Tuscaloosa and took over WTBC as owner and general manager. He then secured the rights to broadcast Alabama Crimson Tide football
in 1953 and built a network of affiliates that became the Alabama Football Radio Network. Bank served as producer of the network until 1985 and held the title of producer emeritus of the AFRN and its successors until his death. He was known for watching games from the broadcast booth up to the 2008 season before his death, being acknowledged by Alabama Radio play by play commentator Eli Gold
every broadcast. Bank was also a pioneer in broadcasting basketball
, having his station become the first in the state to broadcast a game over the air.
Bank also served as a member of both the Alabama House of Representatives
and Alabama Senate
. He served two terms in the State House, first being elected in 1966, and one term as a State Senator, being elected in 1974. He forgo a second term in the State Senate to unsuccessfully run for Lieutenant Governor in 1978. His most famous accomplishments while serving in the Alabama Legislature
included the introduction of legislation that made it a felony to burn an American Flag or draft card, making Alabama the first state in the nation to address the issue, as well as legislation requiring the philosophy of patriotism to be taught in Alabama public schools. He also introduced legislation to have Paul Bryant's
name added to the University of Alabama's football stadium
.
Bank lived in Tuscaloosa until he died on June 22, 2009, shortly after being admitted into a local hospital. He was survived by two sons and four grandchildren.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, war hero and radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
pioneer who was best known as the founder of the Alabama Football Radio Network. He was also the founder of two Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama . Located on the Black Warrior River, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama, with a population of 90,468 in 2010...
radio stations (WTBC and WUOA) and wrote the book Back From the Living Dead about his experiences as a POW and Bataan Death March
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death March was the forcible transfer, by the Imperial Japanese Army, of 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war after the three-month Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of prisoners.The march was characterized by...
survivor.
Life and career
Bank was born in Montgomery, AlabamaMontgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
and earned a law degree from the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
in 1940. After graduating, he received a commission as a second lieutenant through the University's ROTC program and was assigned to the 27th Bomb Group. Bank served in the Pacific Theater
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He was captured in 1942 and held as a POW by Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
while serving in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, surviving the Bataan Death March in the process. During his time as POW he was held at Camp O'Donnell
Camp O'Donnell
Camp O'Donnell was a facility of the United States Air Force in Capas, Tarlac, The Philippines. Before the facility was transferred to the Air Force, it was first a Philippine Constabulary post then a United States Army facility....
(Cabanatuan) before being relocated to the island of Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
. He was back at Cabanatuan by the time of its liberation
Raid at Cabanatuan
The Raid at Cabanatuan was a rescue of Allied prisoners of war and civilians from a Japanese camp near Cabanatuan City, in the Philippines...
by US Rangers near the end of the war.
After the war, Bank retired form the Air Force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
with the rank of Major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
and returned to Tuscaloosa and took over WTBC as owner and general manager. He then secured the rights to broadcast Alabama Crimson Tide football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
in 1953 and built a network of affiliates that became the Alabama Football Radio Network. Bank served as producer of the network until 1985 and held the title of producer emeritus of the AFRN and its successors until his death. He was known for watching games from the broadcast booth up to the 2008 season before his death, being acknowledged by Alabama Radio play by play commentator Eli Gold
Eli Gold
Eli Gold is an American sportscaster. Gold is best known as the radio voice for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team, along with Tom Roberts, as part of the Crimson Tide Sports Network since 1988. He has also been the host of NASCAR Live on the Motor Racing Network since 1982...
every broadcast. Bank was also a pioneer in broadcasting basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, having his station become the first in the state to broadcast a game over the air.
Bank also served as a member of both the Alabama House of Representatives
Alabama House of Representatives
The Alabama House of Representatives is the lower house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The House is composed of 105 members representing an equal amount of districts, with each constituency containing at least 42,380 citizens. There are no term...
and Alabama Senate
Alabama Senate
The Alabama State Senate is the upper house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The body is composed of 35 members representing an equal amount of districts across the state, with each district containing at least 127,140 citizens...
. He served two terms in the State House, first being elected in 1966, and one term as a State Senator, being elected in 1974. He forgo a second term in the State Senate to unsuccessfully run for Lieutenant Governor in 1978. His most famous accomplishments while serving in the Alabama Legislature
Alabama Legislature
The Alabama Legislature is the legislative branch of the state government of Alabama. It is a bicameral body composed of the Alabama House of Representatives, with 105 members, and the Alabama Senate, with 35 members...
included the introduction of legislation that made it a felony to burn an American Flag or draft card, making Alabama the first state in the nation to address the issue, as well as legislation requiring the philosophy of patriotism to be taught in Alabama public schools. He also introduced legislation to have Paul Bryant's
Bear Bryant
Paul William "Bear" Bryant was an American college football player and coach. He was best known as the longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships...
name added to the University of Alabama's football stadium
Bryant-Denny Stadium
Bryant–Denny Stadium, located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is the home stadium for the University of Alabama football team. The stadium opened in 1929, and was originally named Denny Stadium, in honor of former Alabama president George Hutchenson Denny...
.
Bank lived in Tuscaloosa until he died on June 22, 2009, shortly after being admitted into a local hospital. He was survived by two sons and four grandchildren.
Awards and honors
- Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
- Bronze Star
- National Veterans Award
- Alabama Broadcasters AssociationAlabama Broadcasters AssociationThe Alabama Broadcasters Association, commonly referred to as ABA, represents radio and television broadcasters across the U.S. state of Alabama. It is affiliated with the National Association of Broadcasters. Every year the organization presents the ABBY Awards. The organization also has a...
Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Award