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Joseph Rankin ‘Joe’ James
was born on July 12, 1931 in Fulton, KY, the third son of the late
George T. and Verna Kendall James. He attended local schools, did
well and was quite popular in class leadership. Joe received a
congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy at
West Point, NY and started there on July 5, 1950.
After Beast Barracks, he was assigned to Company D-2, which was his
home for four years. He was an active cadet, participating in the
Camera Club, Golf Club, Model Airplane Club, ‘Club Pistol’ Club, and
Portuguese Club. He was appointed as squad leader in his First Class
year and clearly enjoyed the leadership challenge. His yearbook
entry says in part, “A searching mind and southern humor are Joe’s
assurance of a bright future.”
Joe graduated in June of 1954. As everyone expected, considering
that he had two brothers serving there, he selected Air Force as his
branch. Joe successfully completed the Primary Pilot Course in
August 1955 and the C-124 Co-pilot Course in November 1955.
Among his varied assignments, he was assigned to the 431st Air
Refueling Squadron at Chanute Air Force Base, IL in 1961 and served
there as a command pilot until 1965. The 431st was established in
1957 to provide a dedicated air refueling capability. His additional
training included Squadron Officers School (1961), a Management 1
course for Air Force supervisors (1964), and a Management Engineer
course (1965).
Joe was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and was qualified
by the Air Force in Light Sport Aircraft (AFLSA) and as a Small Arms
expert (SAEMR), receiving the AFLSA with three OLC’s for sustained
devoted service. He was honorably discharged at the rank of captain
in 1969 and settled in San Antonio, TX. Although Joe never could
swing an assignment to a unit in combat, he made it known that he
was available for such an assignment and flew a few ferry and
support flights into combat zones.
Joe’s civilian career was also varied and included working as a
surveyor’s assistant, operating a woodworking shop and selling
woodworking products to local markets. He spent much of his time
caring for his invalid mother. His caring nature was further
evidenced in that he was the resident handyman in his apartment
complex, a retirement community in San Antonio, TX, where he was
highly praised. Joe had a number of lady friends but never married.
Joe was a real patriot and was able to learn the military history of
some of his ancestors, starting with the North Carolina militia. At
least three served there, including Colonel Jonathan Hunt (great,
great, great, great-grandfather), Lieutenant William Wiley (great,
great, great-grandfather), and another served as a civilian
supplier. Wiley took part in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. One
man, Nelson Walker (great, great-grandfather), served in the Army
during the War of 1812. Two of his paternal great-grandfathers
served in the Tennessee Infantry, CSA, during the Civil War, one of
which (James James) died at Fort Hudson, LA in 1863. His
great-grandfather Robert Hudson was taken prisoner at Chickamauga
and spent over a year at the prisoner of war camp at Rock Island,
IL. Joe’s father, George Thomas James Sr., continued his railroad
work as a conductor when he enlisted in the Corps of Engineers
during World War I. He had already worked on the Illinois Central RR
for some 15 years. He subsequently contracted hepatitis in Europe
and was unable to perform operating positions on the railroad after
his discharge from the Army. Joe’s brother George Thomas Jr. flew 31
missions in a B-26 Martin Marauder in the European theater during
World War II. During “the Bulge,” George’s group lost 16 of 30
aircraft in one day. George retired from the U.S. Air Force as a
colonel. Joe’s brother James Kendall James flew 64 missions in Korea
in an F-86.
Joe died on October 8, 2014 in San Antonio, TX from complications of
COPD and was interred at Fort Sam Houston Military Cemetery on
October 23, 2014 with full military honors. Several West Point
classmates attended his service. At the ceremony, six U.S. Air Force
personnel removed the casket from the hearse and moved it to a stand
on the pavilion. The flag was then folded in the traditional
diagonal shape while a group of veterans fired the saluting volleys
and the bugler played “Taps.” The flag was presented to Lieutenant
Colonel James K. James, Joe’s brother, who represented the family.
Those who were close to Joe James at West Point will always remember
him as a very upbeat type of a guy. He was always smiling with his
nearly perfect white teeth, and he had a great sense of humor. The
slight touch of “Kentucky twang” in his speech added to the fun and
enjoyment that we always had when socializing with Joe. He would
naturally add a bit of humor to any serious conversation. All who
knew him will miss him. |
