James L. Chapman Jr. and Mary Ernst Chapman. He had two younger sisters,

Nancy and Sally.

   When Jim was 12, the family moved from Indian Hill to Terrace Park, OH. Jim played on the school baseball team and, in high school, was a three-letter

athlete. For the rest of his life, Jim loved sports of nearly every type. Jim’s sports career was subordinate to his other activities: as a teen, he worked at the family restaurant, cut lawns, and helped take care of a neighbor’s disabled son.

   Upon graduation from high school in 1949, Jim applied for and was appointed to West Point by Ohio Congressman Charles Elston. He entered USMA with the Class of 1954. Jim applied himself with determination, managing to earn grades that kept him in the middle third of his class. He developed lifelong friendships with many of his classmates and E-2 company-mates. Jim graduated on June 8, 1954 as West Point’s 20,000th graduate, a feat considered sufficiently newsworthy that a picture of him accepting his diploma appeared on theater

screens throughout America. He was commissioned in his chosen branch, Field

Artillery, on June 4, 1954.

   Jim’s first assignments as a lieutenant were with artillery units at Fort Sill, OK.

In January 1956, he went home to Ohio for the funeral of his paternal grandfather. At the post-funeral gathering he met, with newfound interest, one of his cousins, Christine Conkling. He and Chris were married on April 7, 1956. On May 16, 1957, their first son, James L. IV, was born at Fort Sill.

   A three-year tour in Germany with an artillery missile battalion came next. Two daughters, Dona and Becky, were born in Germany. In 1960, the family returned to Fort Sill, where Jim attended the Artillery Officer Advanced Course and then was assigned to the 1st FA Missile Brigade as the Redstone/Pershing Project Officer. Two sons, Paul and Ted, were born at Fort Sill.

   Jim then went to Korea, serving with the 3rd Battalion, 81st Artillery. An assignment to the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery at Fort Bragg, NC followed. At

the end of that tour, Jim was assigned to Vietnam, serving first with MACV headquarters, and then as executive officer of the 2nd Battalion, 320th Artillery, 101st Airborne Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star with V device and one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with V device and five Oak Leaf Clusters, and the

Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

   Upon returning to the United States, Jim served as the Assistant Secretary to

the General Staff at the Army Materiel Command in Alexandria, VA. He was then selected to attend the Command and General Staff College. Graduation brought orders to Fort Sill to command the Missile Systems Evaluation Group before assuming command of the 5th Training Battalion, USATC. At this time he was awarded his first Legion of Merit.

   Jim was next assigned as Chief of Nuclear Plans and Operations, G3 Division, Central Army Group (NATO) in Heidelberg, Germany. Jim and his sons took up skiing, which they loved; Jim also amassed quite a collection of German beer glasses.

   An assignment to Fort Devens, MA followed. Jim commanded Headquarters

Command and then became the Director of Personnel and Community Affairs, receiving a second Meritorious Service Medal upon completion of this assignment. He also earned a master’s degree in business from Western New England University.

   Jim chose Virginia to be his final posting, where three of his children were in college. He was assigned to the Judge Advocate General’s School in

Charlottesville as the Director of School Support. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1982, receiving a second award of the Legion of Merit at his retirement ceremony.

   In retirement, Jim managed a large pediatric practice. After that, he worked in

the construction industry, supervising the building of offices and shopping  centers. He eventually started his own construction inspection company, which he transitioned to his youngest son. In 2006, Jim and Chris moved from Charlottesville to Chester, VA to be with their daughter Becky. In 2008, they designed and built a house near Richmond. They lived there for six years until Jim’s health problems necessitated another move, with Becky, to Virginia Beach, VA to be closer to their eldest son and his family. Although Virginia Beach and Norfolk, VA are heavily populated with Navy personnel, Jim enjoyed the challenge.

   Jim was an amazing and supportive husband, father, grandfather, and friend,

remembered for his grace, humor, wit, and friendship. He refereed Virginia high

school football and basketball into his 60s and enjoyed golf and skiing, especially with his children. Jim was also active in church activities. He had many Internet buddies with whom he shared jokes. He was a proud and devoted member of the Class of 1954, attending reunions and participating in class activities.

   Jim died as a result of a fall on February 19, 2016, just 10 days shy of his 84th birthday. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Christine C. Chapman, their five children, eight grandchildren, and his sister Nancy Chapman. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on July 7, 2016. Jim’s life exemplified the West Point ideals of Duty, Honor, Country. He loved the Army, his family, his country, and being a member of the Long Gray Line.