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<em>James Carl Kotrc</em> was born just out­side of Omaha, NE, on Jun 7, 1940. His older brother Ron was two years old at the time. Shortly thereafter their father went off to fight in World War II, and when he re­turned a few years later, he decided to stay in the Army. He was proud to have been a part of the Allied victory and wanted to continue wearing the uniform of a career noncommissioned officer. During 1945­50, the Kotrc family lived on Army posts in Arizona and San Francisco. But tragedy struck in 1950 as Jim’s dad died at only 39 years of age. So, Mrs. Kotrc and her two sons returned to their roots in Omaha, and Jim again became a Nebraskan. He missed his dad and the military way of life, though, and the following year, while in the sixth grade, he announced to his teacher that he wanted to go to West Point. From that mo­ment on, Jim never changed his mind as he focused on his goal with increasing in­tensity. He studied hard, worked hard, and trained hard.</p>
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At Omaha South High School, Jim was a well-known student leader who was highly respected by students and teachers alike. He attained the rank of cadet colonel and commanded the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps battalion. He was also a representative of Boys State and the Order of DeMolay, the president of the Latin Club, and a member of the National Honor Society. Despite his excellent high school grades, however, his College Board scores were not high enough to secure an appoint­ment to the academy when he graduated in 1958. So Jim entered the University of Omaha with the intention of applying for the Academy again the following year, but he again was denied an appointment. Instead of giving up, Jim became more de­termined than ever and decided to spend some of his hard-earned money on a pre­paratory school that would concentrate heavily on College Board preparation, he so desperately wanted to be part of the Long Gray Line. Jim attended the Colombian Prep School in Washington, DC, the fol­lowing year and joined the Class of 1964 on Jul 5, 1960.</p>
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As a plebe, Jim was a member of the gymnastics team and later became the team manager. He also developed a love of moun­taineering and served as the training officer of that club. Perhaps his most unique talent was as an artist. Besides being a member of the Art Club, he did a lot of drawing for cadet publications and friends. Jim would not turn anyone down and graciously con­sented to all requests.</p>
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After graduation, Jim joined the Infantry, attended Airborne and Ranger Schools, and was assigned to Ft. Benning, GA. A little over a year later he met the love of his life, Nancy, and before long they were married. Shortly thereafter, the newlyweds headed for Ft. Bragg, NC, where Jim attended the Special Forces Orientation Course prior to his Special Forces assignment in Vietnam. The year flew by, and Jim returned to Nancy and Ft. Benning and attended the Infantry Officers Advanced Course. In late 1968 he was sent back to Vietnam, this time to the 25 th Infantry Division, where he joined the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, as a company commander. On Jul 29, 1969, Jim paid the ultimate price while leading his company to the rescue of a Special Forces unit that had been ambushed.</p>
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It was a tragic loss for his family and his many friends. Jim had just begun to enjoy the finer things in life after his years of struggle and hard work. He had a won­derful marriage, and his Army career was blossoming, as he already had been selected for a below-the-zone promotion. Jim was promoted to major posthumously.</p>
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Jim Kotrc was always a team player, both as a cadet and as an army officer. He was also a giver—he gave all he had for his country, his family, his classmates, and his fellow man.</p>
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<em>—A classmate</em></p>