Marine Lance Cpl. Hirlston was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Hirlston was killed while conducting combat operations. His unit had been conducting patrols and training Iraqi security forces in Al Anbar province. As a rifleman, he was among the Marine class that serves as the primary scouts and assault troops. They are the ground forces you usually see patrolling the streets. James graduated from Riverdale High School where he participated in wrestling and baseball – he loved athletics. He was also an outgoing person who had lots of friends. After graduation, he worked at a grocery store and fast food restaurant before joining the Marines. He had always wanted to be a Marine because he liked the uniforms, the style, the way they presented themselves and their honesty so he joined in June 2005. He reported to Parris Island, South Caroline in July 2005 and completed the School of Infantry and obtained his military occupational specialty, that of a basic rifleman. James' unit went to Iraq early this summer. His fellow Marines remember his ability to lighten the mood with his kind heart and the way he could make people laugh. When they went on patrols, he was called the candy man because he always had something for the kids. He loved kids and always had food and water for them. His awards include the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat distinguishing device, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. On the day before James was killed, he left a message on his grandmother's answering machine, which said he'd been patrolling and "This is my sleep time, but I wanted to talk to my granny." Unfortunately, she wasn't home and didn't get to talk to him.