Jim was a Navy Mustang with a great history. He was born during the early morning hours, March 13 1914, in the small town of Hatton, North Dakota. Jim joined the U.S. Navy in 1933, attended Boot Camp in San Diego and served originally on the heavy cruiser, USS PORTLAND.

Jim met his lovely wife, Roberta, at the Worlds Fair in San Diego And they were married in 1936. He left the Navy in 1937 and was recalled to active duty in 1941 assigned to the Combat Intelligence Unit in the basement of the Administration Building at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, and was on duty during the Attack, 7 December 1941.

Jim served in Commander Layton's unit of Fleet Intelligence when the Japanese Code was broken, which was a decisive factor in our victory at the Battle of Midway and many other combat operations in the Pacific.

During the war, Jim advanced to Chief Warrant Officer and was released in 1945. He was recalled as a lieutenant during the Korean War and served in the 9th and 12th Naval Districts: plus two tours at NAVSECGRU. Hdqts. Washington D.C. and assisted in establishing a Base in Karamursel, Turkey.

Jim retired after 20 years of active duty as a Lieutenant Commander in 1962.

Following his retirement from the Navy he worked at McCellan AFB as the Personal Affairs Officer until his second retirement in 1975.