Junior Bingman was born at Kingmont, near Fairmont, West Virginia October 23, 1923. He enrolled in the CCC April 14, 1941 after completing 7th grade. He entered the Civilian Conservation Corps at Morgantown, West Virginia. He was processed at Yellow Springs, Ohio at the age of seventeen and was assigned to Camp 2536 Boulder City, Boulder City, Nevada. Henry's Honorable CCC Discharge document stated he served as a laborer while in the CCC. He was discharged from the CCC October 28, 1941.
Junior served with valor in the United States Army during World War II in the European Theater 1943-44. During his service to his Nation he served in Normandy, the Ardenes, Rhineland campaigns as a half track operator and expert rifleman (M1). Henry was wounded in action September 1, 1944 and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was also presented with the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African, Middle-Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon. Bingman was honorably discharged from the US Army December 7, 1945.
He worked in the Fairmont area in the coal mines until his retirement in 1985. He passed away from “black lung disease” September 3, 1991. He is interred in his beloved mountains at Cherry Hill Cemetery, Upper Tract, Pendleton County. He is survived by his second wife, Shirley Burgoyne Bingman who resides at Kingmont in their family home. Shirley is very active as a board member in the West Virginia State CCC Museum Association.
Mr. Bingman's photo is on display at the West Virginia CCC Museum.
