James was in Company B, 3rd Battalion, 11th Infantry Brigade when his school deferment expired in 1968, and he accepted active duty in Vietnam. He had been there less than six months when he was killed in action April 19, 1969 at Doc Phe Area, Vietnam.  The unit to which he was assigned was often called on to help other units that were in trouble. On the day he was killed, his unit was on patrol and he was at the rear as he often volunteered to do.  The enemy waited in ambush until the entire patrol passed then shot Jim in the chest.  It was reported he died instantaneously.  Another soldier from the valley, Syd Furhman, who went to Vietnam at the same time as James, accompanied his body home.