From a eulogy posted by Jose A. "Andy" Chacon on November 3, 2006 to the West Point. Org web site
JAMES RICHARD PITTS USMA '51
James Richard "Jim" Pitts was born in California on July 23, 1929 and received a Son of Deceased Veteran Presidential appointment to West Point in 1947.
His classmates had a good deal to say about Jim, it reads, "Conqueror of the academic system, connoisseur of fine liquors and and beautiful women, instigator of the inevitable rat-race, that's Jim. Coming from an Air Force family, Jim made an Air Force Commission his goal, and while never neglecting the lighter side of cadet life, he never forgot his aim. His top notch athletic ability, unequaled humor, and loyalty to the OAO, gains Jim the admiration and respect of his classmates." Jim played LaCross all four years and goat football his cow year. He was a member of the Howitzer, chess, radio, and Model railroad clubs, and was a cadet sargent his first class year and served as Regimental Supply Sargant.
Unfortunately, the Air Force slots were all gone by the time Jim stepped up on the Branch selection line, so he went in the Artillery. After attending the basic Artillery Course at the Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he stayed on the Staff & Faculty through 1952. Jim then was assigned to the 21st Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Division in Germany where he served through 1955. In 1959 Jim was assigned to Reserve Officer Training Corp at Oregon State University where he served until 1962. Next Jim went to the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Republic of Vietnam and served from 1962 to 1963. He was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished Heroism against an enemy, the Combat Infrantryman Badge; the Air Medal for meritorous achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in air flight; and the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. On return to stateside Jim was assigned to Headquarters 18th Air Corps where he served from 1963 to 1966, he then attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1966. Jim's last assignment was to Headquarters, North Baden District of Germany where he served from 1966 until 1971 when he retired in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Jim made his home in Pleasanton, California.
JAMES RICHARD PITTS USMA '51
James Richard "Jim" Pitts was born in California on July 23, 1929 and received a Son of Deceased Veteran Presidential appointment to West Point in 1947.
His classmates had a good deal to say about Jim, it reads, "Conqueror of the academic system, connoisseur of fine liquors and and beautiful women, instigator of the inevitable rat-race, that's Jim. Coming from an Air Force family, Jim made an Air Force Commission his goal, and while never neglecting the lighter side of cadet life, he never forgot his aim. His top notch athletic ability, unequaled humor, and loyalty to the OAO, gains Jim the admiration and respect of his classmates." Jim played LaCross all four years and goat football his cow year. He was a member of the Howitzer, chess, radio, and Model railroad clubs, and was a cadet sargent his first class year and served as Regimental Supply Sargant.
Unfortunately, the Air Force slots were all gone by the time Jim stepped up on the Branch selection line, so he went in the Artillery. After attending the basic Artillery Course at the Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he stayed on the Staff & Faculty through 1952. Jim then was assigned to the 21st Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Division in Germany where he served through 1955. In 1959 Jim was assigned to Reserve Officer Training Corp at Oregon State University where he served until 1962. Next Jim went to the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Republic of Vietnam and served from 1962 to 1963. He was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished Heroism against an enemy, the Combat Infrantryman Badge; the Air Medal for meritorous achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in air flight; and the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. On return to stateside Jim was assigned to Headquarters 18th Air Corps where he served from 1963 to 1966, he then attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1966. Jim's last assignment was to Headquarters, North Baden District of Germany where he served from 1966 until 1971 when he retired in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Jim made his home in Pleasanton, California.
From a eulogy posted by Jose A. "Andy" Chacon on November 3, 2006 to the West Point. Org web site
JAMES RICHARD PITTS USMA '51
James Richard "Jim" Pitts was born in California on July 23, 1929 and received a Son of Deceased Veteran Presidential appointment to West Point in 1947.
His classmates had a good deal to say about Jim, it reads, "Conqueror of the academic system, connoisseur of fine liquors and and beautiful women, instigator of the inevitable rat-race, that's Jim. Coming from an Air Force family, Jim made an Air Force Commission his goal, and while never neglecting the lighter side of cadet life, he never forgot his aim. His top notch athletic ability, unequaled humor, and loyalty to the OAO, gains Jim the admiration and respect of his classmates." Jim played LaCross all four years and goat football his cow year. He was a member of the Howitzer, chess, radio, and Model railroad clubs, and was a cadet sargent his first class year and served as Regimental Supply Sargant.
Unfortunately, the Air Force slots were all gone by the time Jim stepped up on the Branch selection line, so he went in the Artillery. After attending the basic Artillery Course at the Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he stayed on the Staff & Faculty through 1952. Jim then was assigned to the 21st Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Division in Germany where he served through 1955. In 1959 Jim was assigned to Reserve Officer Training Corp at Oregon State University where he served until 1962. Next Jim went to the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Republic of Vietnam and served from 1962 to 1963. He was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished Heroism against an enemy, the Combat Infrantryman Badge; the Air Medal for meritorous achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in air flight; and the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. On return to stateside Jim was assigned to Headquarters 18th Air Corps where he served from 1963 to 1966, he then attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1966. Jim's last assignment was to Headquarters, North Baden District of Germany where he served from 1966 until 1971 when he retired in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Jim made his home in Pleasanton, California.
JAMES RICHARD PITTS USMA '51
James Richard "Jim" Pitts was born in California on July 23, 1929 and received a Son of Deceased Veteran Presidential appointment to West Point in 1947.
His classmates had a good deal to say about Jim, it reads, "Conqueror of the academic system, connoisseur of fine liquors and and beautiful women, instigator of the inevitable rat-race, that's Jim. Coming from an Air Force family, Jim made an Air Force Commission his goal, and while never neglecting the lighter side of cadet life, he never forgot his aim. His top notch athletic ability, unequaled humor, and loyalty to the OAO, gains Jim the admiration and respect of his classmates." Jim played LaCross all four years and goat football his cow year. He was a member of the Howitzer, chess, radio, and Model railroad clubs, and was a cadet sargent his first class year and served as Regimental Supply Sargant.
Unfortunately, the Air Force slots were all gone by the time Jim stepped up on the Branch selection line, so he went in the Artillery. After attending the basic Artillery Course at the Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he stayed on the Staff & Faculty through 1952. Jim then was assigned to the 21st Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Division in Germany where he served through 1955. In 1959 Jim was assigned to Reserve Officer Training Corp at Oregon State University where he served until 1962. Next Jim went to the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Republic of Vietnam and served from 1962 to 1963. He was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished Heroism against an enemy, the Combat Infrantryman Badge; the Air Medal for meritorous achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in air flight; and the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. On return to stateside Jim was assigned to Headquarters 18th Air Corps where he served from 1963 to 1966, he then attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1966. Jim's last assignment was to Headquarters, North Baden District of Germany where he served from 1966 until 1971 when he retired in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Jim made his home in Pleasanton, California.
