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| Monsignor James Francis Kelley & the Gervais-Irene, 1980 |
"Monsignor James Francis Kelley of Rumson, a retired priest
and close friend of Mrs. Bolam's, didn't want to comment on her possible dual identity. "I could not state my feelings,"
said Mrs. Bolam's confessor. "If I were to answer that I would violate everything I learned in the confessional."
1982 Woodbridge New Jersey News Tribune.
Monsignor James Francis Kelley (1902-1996) was
President of Seton Hall University in New Jersey from 1936 to 1949. In life Monsignor Kelley served as a highly distinguished
emissary of the Catholic Church in the northeastern United States. He had been a friend to Cardinal Francis Spellman
who once owned a home on Monsignor Kelley's Rumson, New Jersey estate property. Monsignor Kelley had also known Pope Pius
XII, and he knew well Pope Paul VI who he spent considerable time with during the 1965 Papal visit to the United States. Monsignor Kelley's family was traceable to British
nobility. They had long held vast property wealth in the Caribbean, and Monsignor Kelley not only had a beautiful home
overlooking the ocean on the Island of St. Croix there, but his family had also deeded him land in Jamaica. The Gervais-Irene
used to visit him at both places. In life Monsignor Kelley knew many famous celebrities and politicians dating back to the
1930s. His autobiography features him in photographs with many such individuals from over the years, to include Admiral Nimitz
and J. Edgar Hoover. Based on their correspondence and information he eventually did convey, there is no doubt Monsignor Kelley and the
Gervais-Irene developed a deep mutual respect for each other over the course of their long friendship. For not only did
he serve as her confessor, but he described how he was also her post U. S. return therapist. (Monsignor Kelley held
Doctorates in Psychology and Philosophy.) EXCERPT FROM TAPE RECORDED CONVERSATION #1: MONSIGNOR JAMES
FRANCIS KELLEY WITH ROLLIN REINECK, SEPTEMBER 1991
Rollin Reineck: Specifically, I want
to know about Amelia Earhart. Did you bring her home from Japan?
Monsignor Kelley: Yes, I was instrumental in getting her freed and she stayed
here. I have some of her things here. I'm certain it's in my book. I did write a book, and I'm positive I did put in
a chapter about her.
RR:
I understand you were President of Seton Hall (University.)
Kelley: Yes, I was President of Seton Hall for many years.
RR: If I were to come back and talk to you would I be able to see some
of the things you have of Amelia Earhart's?
Kelley: Absolutely. Surely.
RR: We believe Jackie Cochran was sent to Japan to help bring Amelia home. Are you aware of that?
Kelley: Yes, I was involved
with that.
RR: Could
you give me your address?
Kelley: (Provides his Rumson, New Jersey address.)
RR: I'm going to try to come back to talk to you.
Kelley: All Right.
RR: Thank you for your help.
Kelley: What city are you in?
RR: Honolulu, Hawaii
Kelley: Oh my gosh, and you're going to come over here?
RR: Yes sir. If you Have things
of hers I would like to see them. Are you aware that she was Irene Bolam?
Kelley: What?
RR: Amelia Earhart was Irene Bolam?
Kelley: That's right, yes. [See the taped conversation between Rollin Reineck and Monsignor Kelley's
sister, Gertrude Kelley Hession farther down.]
The following excerpts come from a 1993 story written about the Gervais-Irene (AKA Irene Craigmile
Bolam) by Mrs. John Bolam, her survived sister in-law: "She
was intelligent, articulate, and had a commanding presence. She knew a lot of important people including many high-ranking
military officers, astronauts and flyers." [Colonel Reineck's book references Irene Bolam being awarded a medal of appreciation
by NASA in the early 1960s.] [The late Arizona Senator, Barry Goldwater was also a past friend of the Gervais-Irene.] "Guy and Irene knew people all around
the world, some of which were well known figures in high places." "She appeared to be completely familiar with any
subject we might bring up about flying in the old days, such as types of planes, instruments, early airports, etcetera."
"After Guy died, she still continued to manage the Radio Luxembourg accounts while trekking around the world." [The
Gervais-Irene actually took over as corporate President of Radio Luxembourg following Guy's 1970 passing.] "She
thoroughly enjoyed life, people, events, theater, travel, new heights. She was the epitome of a "'Classy Lady.'"
"Irene told us she was a member of the 99s and the Zonta's, but others say her name does not appear in the records of
either organization. Why then would they ask her to speak at their national and international meetings?" (Note: It was
later learned how from the mid-late 1940s on as 'Irene Craigmile,' the Gervais-Irene was listed in the Long Island chapter
of Zonta records, and at times she appeared in published Zonta photographs.)
Beyond his legendary Seton Hall accomplishments and the 1946 bust statue of his
likeness sculpted and gifted to him by the Smithsonian Institute's own artisan, Monsignor Kelley had received other awards
and citations noting his religious, medical, and public service achievements. One
such 'citation and medal' he received on July 11, 1941
from none other than U. S. Secretary of the Treasury, Henry P. Morgenthau Jr. As previously mentioned, in 1938 Morgenthau, who oversaw FDR's Secret Service divisions, had refused to make
public certain information he was aware of that pertained to Amelia Earhart's 1937 disappearance. So it may be no coincidence
how the 1941 Morgenthau award he received was described by Monsignor Kelley in his autobiography in said manner: "For
three years of Patriotic Service with integrity and diligence for the Treasury Department of the United States of America."
Simple math shows three years prior to 1941 being 1938. Also consider these two other awards the Monsignor received: "June 18, 1946 - received citation from the War Department through Commanding General of the U. S. Army Air
Force, Carl Spatz [who Jackie Cochran spent time with on Guam just prior to her entering Japan after VJ Day] and Secretary
of the War, Robert P. Patterson." And: "November 20, 1946 citation from J. Edgar Hoover for assistance rendered
during the war years to the Internal Security of the Nation through the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United
States Department of Justice." It's interesting to note how the Arthur Gibson State Department located file
labeled, "Earhart, Amelia Special War Problems" bore the date Sept. 7, 1946.... a date that fell between
the two just listed. As mentioned above, on 11/2/91 the now late Colonel Rollin C. Reineck recorded his 'Monsignor
Kelley' follow-up conversation with the Monsignor's Sister, Gertrude Kelley Hession. The following is the complete transcription
of said conversation, with Col. Reineck's own introduction and a few 'explanatory notes' added by Beyond 37': "The following is a transcript of a taped telephone conversation I (Reineck) had with Gertrude
Hession on 2 November 1991. Gertrude was the younger Sister of Monsignor James Francis Kelley. This event took
place after I had met with the Monsignor in 1991. A few of the words spoken by Gertrude were hard to understand, otherwise
I believe I have interpreted all words correctly:" EXCERPT FROM TAPE RECORDED CONVERSATION #2: GERTRUDE KELLEY
HESSION WITH ROLLIN REINECK, NOVEMBER 2, 1991 ROLLIN C. REINECK: We had it on good authority from other
people that the Monsignor did take care of Amelia Earhart when she came back to the U. S. and I wanted to confirm that with
you.GERTRUDE KELLEY HESSION: Now that I couldn't confirm. Why I say that is that I was not in the area at that time.
My husband had been transferred with the parent company. I wasn't living in the area so I don't know what really happened.
I can say -- he may have. He does many things that we don't know of. As far as that is concerned I couldn't say
yes.ROLLIN: I see. You don't know whether he did or not. Is that what you're telling me?GERTRUDE:
I don't know.ROLLIN: I talked to someone in St. Croix who knew Mnsgr Kelley. His name is DeKoster. Do
you know him?GERTRUDE: Are they from New Jersey?ROLLIN: No, they have a home in St Croix. (U.S. Virgin Islands)GERTRUDE:
No. I don't know them. I know the De Kosters from New Jersey.ROLLIN: They may have a home there
too. [Note: The DeKosters were quite wealthy, Donald DeKoster, a long time good friend of Monsignor Kelley’s was a prosperous
Detroit auto industry executive.] Anyway they have a house right near the Monsignor’s house in St. Croix.GERTRUDE:
I don't think I've met them.ROLLIN: They told me that at one time you and Amelia Earhart were to come to visit, but that one of
you got sick and couldn't make it.GERTRUDE: Well now, I'll tell you. I have visited there with Irene Bolam. And, you know who Irene Bolam
is?ROLLIN: Right, yes.GERTRUDE: Yes, are you acquainted with the name?ROLLIN: Yes of course.GERTRUDE:
Now, Irene and I had visited out at St. Croix. Irene Bolam and I took several trips together. But actually, I
did not know Irene as a child - as a young person - to be able to give you a good background. I know of her family, The doctor
O'Crowley and her aunt, but actually, I didn't know too much about her. I met her when her husband died, Bolam was ill
with appendicitis. That was when I really knew her intimately. She never discussed much about Amelia Earhart. I don't
know if..., that she ever denied it out-rightly to me – you know – that she had no real connection there. But,
oh, I had my doubts many times. She had a yacht in Red Bank. As did the Erwins. I don't know if you know them.
They had a yacht up there in Red Bank. Irene had her boat there and we used to go out on it. She would always
discuss planes coming over. Pulling down maps, pinpointing all these different areas. It made you wonder you know.
But I don't know how helpful I can be to you. I wish I could be more.ROLLIN: You said something a
second ago. You said she never denied being Amelia Earhart. GERTRUDE: Oh, not in my company.ROLLIN: Did she ever affirm it at
all.GERTRUDE: She. Oh, the only time I recall her making a denial was at the time of her death. There was a memorial
service. There was a memorial service for her down where she lived you know. She had a party for all of her friends.
She had pre-arranged this affair. And, it was a memorial party. And, some of those people down around Rossmoor could give
you a much better explanation about her. She did have a folder made up, pre-advance.ROLLIN: I have a copy.GERTRUDE:
Oh, then you know where she says "If you believe this."ROLLIN: Do you know Diana Dawes?GERTRUDE:
Oh yes, she was one of her closest friends I would say.ROLLIN: When we were back visiting the Monsignor, (Gertrude’s
Brother) we visited Diana the next day. GERTRUDE: Oh Yes, She [Diana Dawes] was about one of her closest friends
I would say. More intimate than I. Although, we took all those wonderful trips together. She used to get
very upset with people coming up and wanting her to admit – you know – that she was Amelia Earhart.[Note: Ms. Dawes was left many of Irene’s personal belongings after Irene died
in 1982, to include the photographs used in the study and reprinted in this website. (Before she passed away Ms. Dawes further
entrusted Irene's photos to pilot-author, Ann Holtgren Pellegreno who provided the ones used in the study.) Note as well,
the 'pre-advance' folder Irene made for her 1982 Memorial Dinner featured the ‘other’ Irene Bolam on its cover,
a person Joe Gervais never met before. Diana Dawes, a former New Jersey radio show host believed the Irene Craigmile Bolam
(the Gervais-Irene) she became 'good friends' with had formerly
been known as Amelia Earhart.] ROLLIN: What was your personal opinion.GERTRUDE:
Right.ROLLIN: Your personal opinion was that she was or was not?GERTRUDE: You know when they were writing the
book, Amelia Earhart Lives. That was a very trying time for her. I can recall people coming up. There was
a judge. I can't remember his name. [Judge Edward Kennedy.] Anyway he was helping her control those people. I
think one was Gervais and the other one.ROLLIN: Klaas, Joe Gervais and Joe Klaas.GERTRUDE:
Right. Oh you know, that was very disturbing and the judge was handling it. She sued. I sat in on some of the depositions
with her. I think she --- didn't she win that suit?ROLLIN: No. She sued Mc Graw Hill, Joe Klaas and Joe
Gervais for two million dollars. She kept asking for a postponement. Finally, [Gervais] agreed to pay her the
two million dollars if she would come to court and give her fingerprints in front of the judge. GERTRUDE: Oh no, that's something
she would never do.ROLLIN: No. She wouldn't do that, so she dropped the suit [against Gervais and Klaas] after that.GERTRUDE:
I think we lost touch about then, but I know that things were very trying for her. (NOTE: This is a contradicting statement
made by Gertrude. The lawsuit ended in early 1976, and it was known how at least until 1979 Gertrude continued to occasionally
see and even travel at times with Irene.)ROLLIN: Why wouldn't she give her fingerprints?GERTRUDE:
Why? She didn't want people to prove she was or wasn't - apparently. And even her own son does not have her fingerprints.ROLLIN:
I'm not sure that is her son.GERTRUDE: Irene was married three times.ROLLIN: I have her marriage certificate and it says that when
she married Bolam, it was her second marriage.GERTRUDE: Oh really.ROLLIN: I asked you a minute
ago, do you think she was or was not Amelia Earhart.GERTRUDE: I was very dubious, because there were so many times
she would slip, you know with comments and make you feel, you know, and yet, I never really wanted to probe. I felt she could
tell me if she wanted to tell me. It was that type of friendship. But there were many times when it was difficult not to go
after her and say come on, sit down and tell me. But, we just never quite did. She had a friend by the name of Mary
(Eubank) who would have known her as a class mate at the academy of the Boswell Sisters and St. Dominic's academy. She was
sent there by her grand parents. She would have known her as a high school person. To me she was the closest one. Then she
had two aunts who lived up around the shore line. [The O’Crowley Sisters Edna Madaline O’Crowley Horsford and
Attorney Irene Mary Rutherford O’Crowley.] (Attorney Irene) O'Crowley was one. They were two sisters. It was always
a very sensitive thing with Irene (Craigmile Bolam.) She would get very disturbed about it when people would come up to her
in front of her son you know, at the Flyers Group, Wings Club, or something like that, she would get very upset.ROLLIN:
When I was talking to another lady, her name was Helen Barber, who also knew the Monsignor in St. Croix. She told me
that when Amelia Earhart came back and the Monsignor was giving her spiritual and psychological care as well, he tried to
get her to keep her name, but she didn't want to – according to the story – because she said she was embarrassed
for what she had done. [Note: Such a statement is questionable. Col. Reineck
appeared to be reading something into the story that wasn’t necessarily there. According to Donald DeKoster, in 1979
Monsignor Kelley mentioned to him how Irene decided she “didn’t want to be the famous Amelia Earhart any more,”
alluding to her strong desire to continue living her life after the WWII years as a private person in the U. S., as opposed
to a highly famous ‘public’ person. Her post-war confidence, the respect she commanded from others, her continued
love for Japan, the orient, and the United States…, as well as her overall positive attitude measure never suggested
she was embarrassed about anything from her past. Rather, she may have found it to hard to explain what she had somewhat inadvertently
become involved with during the war years, after realizing herself to be a somewhat subjugated victim of inordinate circumstances.]GERTRUDE:
Oh really, I don't know, I've never heard that. But my brother got to know her quite well. After all, she would
have confessed to him, ah, especially when she was ill at the hospital. We went to visit her on numerous occasions,
and that was a very secret deal too. When she was in the hospital, she had this oriental doctor and his name was kept
quiet always as to her relationship with people and what not. And that's when she died at that hospital. I do
know my brother visited her because I took him there several times as he was her confessor. What she told him, I don't know.
I don't know how you could get it from him. I wish you well with this.ROLLIN: Let me give you my name and address;
etc.GERTRUDE: I gather from what you said that you thought she may have been Amelia Earhart. ROLLIN: YesGERTRUDE:
Yes, there were times, yes, I must admit that. If I had been really curious. But, I think I valued our friendship more.ROLLIN:
That's what Diana Dawes said. She said that although she was almost positive, she never asked because it would have
upset her and she would lose her friendship. ….I won't take up any more of your time. Thank you very much. You've been
a real help. Thank you Gertrude.(They sign off.) Note: It is
fairly certain Mary Eubank and the original Irene Craigmile were past good friends, and Mary Eubank was likely introduced
to the original Irene’s famous family friend, Amelia Earhart at some point either in the late 1920s or early to mid
1930s. Accordingly, in 1949, the same year records show Viola Gentry and Jackie Cochran corresponding with each other, Jackie
Cochran’s own stowed records index indicates at least one letter exchange between Jackie and one 'Mary Eubank.' When
Tod Swindell discussed Mary Eubank with the original Irene’s Son, Larry Heller in person in 2006, Mr. Heller appeared
reluctant to discuss the subject of Mary Eubank, the woman who was known to at times have cared for him as he grew up. He
also refused to verify the spelling of her last name. When asked if it was spelled ‘Eubank’ or ‘Eubanks’
he replied he “couldn’t remember.” Yet it would seem he had to have been aware it was ‘Eubank.’ Beyond
37' holds copies of all audio tape recordings of conversations that took place between Colonel Reineck and Monsignor Kelley,
Reineck and DeKoster, Reineck and Mrs. Helen Barber of Wayne, Pennsylvania (who as mentioned also knew Monsignor Kelley well
and was told many things by Kelley about his past relationship with Irene Craigmle Bolam,) and between Colonel Reineck and
Gertrude Kelley Hession. Beyond 37' also holds a copy of Dean Magley's 1985 filmed interview with the now late NASA Astronaut,
Wally Schirra.
Five
years after 'not stating his feelings' about it, in July of 1987 upon the completion of his autobiography in
which he claimed to have included a chapter about his friend, Amelia in it... Monsignor Kelley finally decided to
disclose to news reporter, Dean Magley who he had previously acquainted, the basic framework of the true Irene-Amelia
story. Magley, with his Wife Carol accompanying him traveled to New Jersey from Michigan to conduct an in-person interview
with the Monsignor at his Rumson, New Jersey mansion home. The retired Monsignor disclosed many things to Magley about
his long friendship with Amelia (Irene-Amelia) following World War Two. Soon
Magley started writing a book about it. [Note: Magley would also follow up on a conversation he had with the now late Astronaut,
Wally Schirra in the 1970s. Schirra had intimated to Magley, that not only was Amelia still living in the United States
in the 1970s, but he had even recently 'seen' her. A few years after Irene-Amelia died, Magley managed to interview
the famous Astronaut on film. During said interview he further queried Schirra on the matter. Magley asked Schirra how
he came to know what he did, and on camera Schirra replied how "reliable people" had conveyed
to him the true identity of the woman he had previously referenced to Magley.]
Sadly, Dean Magley died of cancer within a short time after his final 1989 correspondences with Monsignor
Kelley, never completing his ms. Yet Magley's writings about Kelley's words to him and his Schirra filmed interview
still remain, and are highly worth noting. (*See further NASA mention below.) Add to this as well, the following end
to a conversation excerpted from a remarkable 1991 taped interview with none other than Monsignor James Francis
Kelley, conducted by the now late USAF Colonel Rollin C. Reineck, (Ret.) (Also note the complete 1991 follow-up
tape recorded conversation at the bottom of this page that took place between Col. Reineck and Monsignor Kelley's Sister,
Gertrude Kelley Hession who was a past good friend and traveling companion of Irene-Amelia's.) It was also
described in Irene's survived sister in law's article, how according to what Guy Bolam's own brother, John somehow came to
either know or believe, Guy Bolam had been "a member of British MI6." Note: Amelia Earhart co-founded the 99s Women's Flying Organization in
1929 and was its first President. Amelia had also joined the Boston chapter of the Zonta's in 1928, but after moving
to New York in 1931 she mostly participated, when she could, in Zonta functions held there. Today, Zonta still annually
presents its prestigeous Amelia Earhart Scholarship award to aspiring female college students. The 1982 Woodbridge New Jersey News Tribune series also described
Irene Craigmile (Irene-Amelia) as a Long Island Chapter Zonta member, although not prior to 1945. It also inferred her mulit-lingual ability to have enabled her position for Zonta as an International Relations Chair Person. (Recall as Amelia she already spoke several languages.) Regardless
of this, and though they were asked the Zonta organization itself would not volunteer any records about Irene Craigmile's
past membership. There does exist however, numerous Zonta pamphlets still in public circulation with her photo and name appearing
from the late 1940s on. On the other hand, there does not appear to be any record of an Irene Craigmile, Heller, or Bolam
ever having been a member of the 99s. Such would make sense, where within a month of the original Irene Craigmile having earned
her pilot's license in late May of 1933, she realized herself to be pregnant out-of-wedlock with her last flight instructor, Al
Heller's child. There exists no record of her ever piloting a plane after that. Indeed, the
original Irene Craigmile appeared to have no more than twenty-odd hours of solo flying time in 1933, and that's all
she ever had according to record, before she eloped to marry Al Heller that same August.
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