James was born in Spokane, lived in Cusick, Washington before moving to Hollywood, South Carolina in 1996. He graduated in 2000 from Academic Magnet High School in North Charleston where he was an honors student and a star football player and wrestler. After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Army and was trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, before being stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, where he became a sniper. After the events of September 11, 2001, he requested to be transferred to a unit that would see action overseas. James loved his Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart, and served his country with dignity and honor, having twice been awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (4 times), the Army Good Conduct Medal (twice), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge, and posthumously, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. James lived by the motto "No Reserves, No Regrets, No Retreats". He was on his third tour of duty in Iraq, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colorado. He was killed along with four of his fellow soldiers when their unit encountered an improvised explosive device during convoy operations in Mosul, Iraq. He was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. James is survived by his wife Natalie (nee Timmerman) Craig; parents Joel and Phyllis Craig; siblings Menesia and Jason Spade, Lola and Jay Hanson, Kelly and Rich Inman, and Rachael and Tracy Putman; Parents in law Tim and Carol Timmerman and brother in law Nicholas Timmerman; and nieces and nephews. Bio by: Sue
James was born in Spokane, lived in Cusick, Washington before moving to Hollywood, South Carolina in 1996. He graduated in 2000 from Academic Magnet High School in North Charleston where he was an honors student and a star football player and wrestler. After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Army and was trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, before being stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, where he became a sniper. After the events of September 11, 2001, he requested to be transferred to a unit that would see action overseas. James loved his Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart, and served his country with dignity and honor, having twice been awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (4 times), the Army Good Conduct Medal (twice), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge, and posthumously, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. James lived by the motto "No Reserves, No Regrets, No Retreats". He was on his third tour of duty in Iraq, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colorado. He was killed along with four of his fellow soldiers when their unit encountered an improvised explosive device during convoy operations in Mosul, Iraq. He was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. James is survived by his wife Natalie (nee Timmerman) Craig; parents Joel and Phyllis Craig; siblings Menesia and Jason Spade, Lola and Jay Hanson, Kelly and Rich Inman, and Rachael and Tracy Putman; Parents in law Tim and Carol Timmerman and brother in law Nicholas Timmerman; and nieces and nephews. Bio by: Sue
