Bernard Arthur Gunter was born in western St. Francis County February 4, 1921 to George Walter (1902-1961) and Lilly Duvall (1902-1933) Gunter. Gunter attended Forrest City High School and enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1939, serving on the 6, and numerous Merchant Marine oil tankers who were assigned uniformed navy gun crews. After being released from active duty in 1945, Gunter returned to Forrest City, Arkansas and took a job with the Federal Compress & Warehouse Company, based in Memphis, that provided cotton storage for farmers of the Mid-South areas of Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Missouri. Gunter was awarded a direct commission as First Lieutenant with the Arkansas Army National Guard and served the state of Arkansas for 28 years, retiring as Commander of the 142nd Field Artillery Group (which later became the 142nd Fires Brigade). Colonel Gunter worked for the Southwide Company until his death on November 11, 1980. He is interred at the New Salem Cemetery in Lee County.