More detail on this person: Colonel James R. Chambless, a devoted husband, father and grandfather, was born November 17, 1946 in Dallas, Texas. He married his High School sweetheart and love of his life, Jacqueline Jean Jardine, in Livonia, Michigan September 6, 1968. He is survived by Jacqueline, his four children Dan, Amy, Melanie (Franklin Vasquez), and Nicole (Bobby Diaz) and his grandchildren Daniel Hernandez (Sarah Jenson), Branden and Camren Vasquez, Olivia and Daniella (arriving June 2015) Diaz. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1965. As a Warrant Officer Aviator he served two tours of duty in the Republic of Vietnam as a helicopter pilot for the 1st Calvary Division and is a decorated veteran of war. After his commissioning as a First Lieutenant of Artillery in 1969, he completed his education graduating from Cameron College in Lawton, Oklahoma, in 1974 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business and later a Master of Science Degree in Business from Boston University. His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the United States Air Force Air Command and Staff College, and the National War College. Colonel Chambless commanded the 41st Field Artillery Brigade in Babenhausen, Germany, and 3rd Battalion, 82d Field Artillery in Ft. Hood, Texas. His assignments also included two tours of duty in Europe and positions in the Pentagon where he served as a Department of the Army Inspector General and later, Chief, Warfare Policy Branch, Directorate of Strategic Plans and Policy, in the Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff. His awards include the Legion of Merit, awarded twice, the Distinguished Flying Cross awarded three times, the Soldier's Medal, the Bronze Star Medal awarded three times, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Medal for Valor against the enemy awarded two times, and the Air Medal awarded an additional 32 times. Colonel Chambless was also a Master Army Aviator. After a distinguished military career of 33 years, 3 months and 3 days, Colonel Chambless retired to Grapevine, Texas with wife Jacqueline and was a Project Manager for IBM for ten years. Upon retirement he enjoyed planning and traveling with friends and family in the US and abroad. He will be missed dearly and never forgotten by all who knew him.
This information was last updated 05/09/2024
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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024
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