James joined the Army in 1994 after graduating High School. He began his military career in Military Intelligence, after two years he decided that Air Assault would be more exciting.
Two years later he married and by 2000 he was ready for a new challenge.
He applied for OCS and was accepted. As an officer, he could apply for flight school. By 2002 he was flying OH-58D helicopters.
2003 was the first deployment to Iraq. He did another deployment to Iraq and then one to Afghanistan. December 2012 came with another deployment to Afghanistan.
He died in a helicopter accident March 16 2013, 6 months prior to coming home and 1 1/2 years prior to retirement. He is survived by his wife, 2 sons, a sister and his parents.
