The Sons of the Republic of Texas (SRT) proudly announces the recipients of the prestigious Presidio La Bahia Award. The awards will be presented during a ceremony at 2 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the historic Presidio La Bahia, located on the outskirts of Goliad, Texas.
This annual honor recognizes outstanding published materials that contribute to the preservation and study of Texas history, particularly the Spanish Colonial era.
First Place is awarded to “The Lost War for Texas”, authored by James Aalan Bernsen, a native of Castroville. Bernsen graduated from Texas A&M University in 1995 with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and German, and from Texas State University in 2016 with a master’s degree in history.
A former newspaper reporter, Bernsen transitioned to public relations and policy work, appearing in over 250 television interviews on major news outlets. Following the 9/11 attacks, Bernsen joined the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer, serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and across the Pacific. His accolades include the Defense Meritorious Service Award and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
Bernsen’s academic contributions include groundbreaking research on the Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition, which was the focus of his master’s thesis. His work has been published in the Southwestern Historical Quarterly and Texas Books in Review. He resides in Castroville.
Second Place honors “Indigenous Autonomy at La Junta de los Rios” by Father Robert Wright, a distinguished scholar and theologian.
Father Wright holds advanced degrees in theology and philosophy from institutions including the University of St. Thomas in Rome and the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. His work spans parish ministry, social justice advocacy, and Hispanic Christianity in the U.S. Southwest. Father Wright’s numerous published articles explore fundamental theology and Catholic history in the region.
Third Place is awarded to “Beneath Sacred Ground” by Art Martinez de Vara, founding partner of The Martinez de Vara Law Firm, PLLC. Specializing in civil litigation, real estate, and legislative affairs, Martinez de Vara is also an award-winning author and historian. His research focuses on the cultural and legal heritage of Spanish Colonial Texas.
The Presidio La Bahia Award was established in 1968 through the generosity of Kathryn Stoner O’Connor. It celebrates excellence in preserving Texas history, with a focus on law, customs, language, religion, and art from the Spanish Colonial period.
Each year, the SRT Presidio la Bahia Committee selects the winners, with prizes totaling $2,000, including a $1,200 minimum for the top award. The ceremony coincides with the annual commemoration of the signing of the Goliad Declaration of Independence at the Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto.
The event is open to the public. For more information about the award or the SRT, visit www.srttexas.org.
