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Jim loved West Point. His enthusiasm, drive, conscientious approach, and devotion to duty made him happy there and happy in his career in the Army.</div>
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He achieved so much in his short life. He began his education in a one-room school. There his teacher noticed his desire to achieve nd commented that he would reach whatever goal he set in life. His high school records were even further proof of the success he was to attain. He graduated from Pineville High School in 1961 in the upper ten percent of his class, of which he was president.</div>
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Pursuing a college preparatory course in high school, he was active in the Geometry and Science Clubs, and the Minutemen, Audio-Visual Aids, Pep, Conservation, and 4-H Clubs. He was also chosen to play the leading role in the senior play.</div>
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Following graduation, he worked in an effort to save money to further his education.</div>
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He was employed at the R. M. Saunders Dental Laboratory in Roanoke, Virginia, and later worked part-time as an assistant in the display department of Coyle and Richardson Department Store in Charleston, West Virginia, while attending West Virginia State College.</div>
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He enlisted in the Army as a Private in September 1963 and completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He completed the Field Artillery Course at the Advanced Training Center in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, 18 May 1964.</div>
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While at Fort Sill, he received two trophies, "First in Physical Fitness Trainee of Company" and “Outstanding Trainee of Company.” He also received a Certificate of Proficiency, completing training with an average of 96.4, in the upper ten percent of his class.</div>
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As he continued in the Army, his major desire was to enter the United States Military Academy. He was selected for and graduated, 28 May 1965, from the United States Military Academy Preparatory School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He then received a Regular Army appointment to the Military Academy at West Point, being nominated by James Kee of the Fifth Congressional District of West Virginia.</div>
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At West Point, he was captain of the Parachute Club, Collegiate champions in 1967, and received a letter of commendation for accomplishments during the Intercollegiate Parachute Championship conducted in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Jim also met qualifications for an Instructor's Certificate in Sport Parachuting and received it on 11 May 1970.</div>
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While a cadet at West Point, Jim held membership in the Rocket Society, Spanish Club, and Scuba Club, and was Company HOWITZER Representative for Company G, Fourth Regiment. His Company G was presented the Best Company Award for the month of September 1968.</div>
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Jim also attended Airborne Training and Jungle Warfare School, while at West Point, obtaining certification in both.</div>
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Jim graduated from the United States Military Academy in June of 1969. He graduated number three hundred and twenty-six in his class of eight hundred. Jim was named Outstanding Company Commander of the Fourth Regiment, United States Corps of Cadets, and received a silver tray in recognition. On the morning of 3 June 1969, Jim graduated and culminated what, to me, was the fulfillment of a dream which came to him through dedication and his determination and effort.</div>
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Jim then attended and successfully completed the Infantry Officers Basic Course and received his diploma 14 October 1969. After Infantry Basic, Jim went on to become an honor graduate of the United States Army Ranger School and graduated 16 December 1969. He was then stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for three months before going overseas.</div>
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Jim looked forward to serving in Vietnam. Prior to beginning his year tour, he came heme, bringing his fiancee, Monica Chelakian, of Jeffersonville, New York. During their visit, he did all the things he had enjoyed as a boy, fishing, hiking over the mountains, and being outdoors.</div>
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On 28 June, he began his tour in Vietnam. He volunteered to serve with the L Company Rangers, 75th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile).</div>
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On 17 November, he received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. We did not know of this until after his death.</div>
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On the evening of 15 February 1971, he died in a helicopter crash two miles east of Pha Bai Airport in the Republic of Vietnam. A Ranger team was in enemy contact and had a seriously wounded team member. Jim had volunteered to guide the extra-action aircraft to the Ranger team’s location. After evacuating the wounded man, the helicopter lifted up into low lying clouds and heavy rain and lost sight of the ground. The pilot immediately went to radar control but the craft disappeared from the radar scope, and crashed.</div>
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Men of his company knew him as “Smiling Jim" as his was the first face many wounded men saw in the rescue missions he commanded.</div>
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He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Achievement with Oak Leaf Cluster and Combat Infantryman Badge.</div>
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Prior to his death, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Expert Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar, and Ranger Tab.</div>
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Consolation is often hard to find when we think of losing a son at such an early age; but to us, he sacrificed his life in the highest tradition of “Duty, Honor, and Country.” He will now join the silent members of the “Long Gray Line" and his name will be forever remembered in the history of his country and his Alma Mater, USMA. </div>
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