Colonel Charles Chick' L. James Jr.'s Obituary
James, Charles 'Chick' L. Jr., Col. Ret. 75, of St Petersburg, died Monday, March 24, 2008. He graduated from the Citadel in Charleston SC in 1955 . He attended Air Command and Staff College in 1965 and in 1966 was assigned to the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Elgin Air Force Base, FL. He served as a Flight Commander and Assistant Operations Officer in the 40th Tactical Fighter Squadron. During his tour in Vietnam he flew 144 combat missions in the A-37. Upon his return from southeast Asia in Aug. 1969 he was assigned to the Headquarters USAF, Pentagon and served in the Tactical Division, the Special Missions Division, he was the leader of the thunderbirds and the Presidential Support Branch. In 1974 Major James was assigned to the First Tactical Fighter Wing, MacDill AFB, FL. as Chief of the Current Operations Division. In April 1975 he assumed command of the 4501st Tactical Fighter Replacement. Following his selection for promotion to Colonel in Feb. 1976 he assumed the position as the 56th Tactical Fighter Wing Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations and than became the Deputy Commander of Operations. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Vietnamese Gallantry Medal with Palm and Vietnamese Honor Medal. He was a Command Pilot with 4700 hours flying time. He is preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. James, Sr. He is survived by his wife Kathy of 34 years, daughters Karen James White ('Trip'), Susan James Cochran ('Jim'), Lauren James Brown ( Dr Dwayne) and Kristen James Peebles ( Dr Michael), sister Joyce James Mulherin, 12 grandchildren and 8 nieces and nephew. A viewing will be held Wednesday 3/26/from 10-11 AM at the funeral home where a service will follow at 11:00 AM
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