Born: January 1, 1923
Died: April 28, 2005
Campaigns Served: Namur, Saipan (wounded)
Highest Rank Attained: Second Lieutenant
Decorations: Purple Heart
With Dog Company:
Second Lieutenant William James was one of the original platoon leaders of Dog Company. He would have had a clear idea of what lay ahead of him - his father, Colonel William James Senior, was Chief of Staff to General Alexander Vandegrift on Guadalcanal, and was serving as one of the directors of operations at the Camp Pendleton, California. James served as the assistant platoon leader of the 81mm mortar platoon, alongside Lieutenant Chuck Bechtol. After the battle of Namur, James and Bechtol were transferred to Baker Company.
With Dog Company:
Lieutenant James became a platoon leader with Baker Company - possibly assuming command of the decimated Third Platoon. He made the landing on Saipan, but was wounded in action on June 16, 1944. James was evacuated to a hospital, never to return to Baker Company.
James' career in the Marines eventually led him to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 4, Site 2847-A.
Photo by Suzanne Franklin, FindAGrave.com volunteer.