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<p><em>James Allen Cooper</em> was born in Mexico, MO on September 12, 1932. After graduation from Mexico High School in 1950, he attended Central College in Fayette, MO. While there, he received congressional appointments, first to the U.S. Naval Academy, and then to the U.S. Military Academy. He entered the Military Academy at West Point on July 3, 1951.</p>
<p>In February 1954, Jim finally arrived at the U.S. Naval Academy, albeit on an exchange visit of three or four days. It turned into a wondrous and successful occasion because there he met his eternal love, Mary Helen Ward, who was attending college in St Mary’s City, MD. Jim graduated from West Point on June 7, 1955. On June 9, 1955, Jim and Mary Helen were married.</p>
<p>Jim’s first assignment, after Airborne and Ranger schools, was as an infantry platoon leader in the Canal Zone. In June 1957, he transferred to Armor and became a tank platoon leader. After three enjoyable years in Panama, they returned to the United States.</p>
<p>Subsequent company grade assignments were at Fort Riley, KS (1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry), and Nuremberg and Amberg (2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment). Daughter Cynthia was born at Fort Riley, KS, and son Jon in Mexico, MO, just prior to Germany. In 1966, Jim was assigned as an Armored Cavalry instructor at the Armor School, Fort Knox, KY, and was sent to Camp A.P. Hill and Camp Pickett, VA to help administer the Army training tests to the 11th Cavalry Regiment just before that unit deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. Jim was promoted to major at Camp A.P. Hill before returning to Fort Knox.</p>
<p>In February 1967, Jim deployed to Vietnam, where he served as squadron executive officer and operations officer in the 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, a 9th Infantry Division unit. In August 1967, the USARV Deputy Commanding General for Personnel and Logistics requested Jim to be reassigned to that HQ as the project manager for tanks and armored personnel carriers. During that six-month assignment he developed a workable and successful program for shipping high-mileage and battle-damaged tanks and APCs to the depot in Anniston, AL to be rebuilt, and for distributing rebuilt tanks and APCS to various units in Vietnam.</p>
<p>Upon returning to the United States in February 1968, Jim and Mary Helen moved to Fortress Monroe, VA, where he was assigned to the DCSINTEL. While there, Jim completed the requirements for an MSA degree in engineering management from George Washington University.</p>
<p>Their next assignment was Mary Helen’s favorite—Hawaii, where, for nearly three years, Jim was assigned to DCSOPS, HQ USARPAC, and Fort Shafter.</p>
<p>The Cooper family spent many happy days at the Fort DeRussy Beach and other beautiful spots in the islands.</p>
<p>After leaving paradise, Jim was assigned to the Office of G-3, HQ III Corps, Fort Hood, TX. The last year at Fort Hood he was a project officer at Modern Army Selected Systems Test, Evaluation and Review (MASSTER).</p>
<p>After retirement from the U.S. Army in May 1976, Jim and Mary Helen built a house in Harker Heights, near Fort Hood. Jim became a prominent commercial property real estate appraiser, a Rotarian, and a founding board member (and later president) of the Heart of Texas West Point Society. Daughter Cynthia graduated from Rice University and the University of North Texas and became a library cataloging expert and adjunct professor. Son Jonathan graduated from the University of Texas and became a professional engineer with his own structural engineering business.</p>
<p>Jim and Mary Helen enjoyed traveling during the retirement years. Overseas trips included Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Europe, Great Britain, Ireland, Panama, and Costa Rica. For their 50th Wedding Anniversary, they toured Europe, including a Danube River cruise, and visits in Budapest, Vienna, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, and Prague. </p>
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