James Cooper:
CLASS OF 1951
Burdette Elementary SchoolClass of 1951
Burdette, AR
Burdette Elementary SchoolClass of 1951
Burdette, AR
James's Story
I always wanted to be a military officer when I grew up. My family and friends thought that was an impossible idea. As it turns out, they were wrong.
Mother died of stomach cancer. I first ran away from home at 12 (1945) got away at 14, with 7th grade education. Step-mother problems. Did what jobs I could to survive. Worked for a company re-doing highways. Family and friends were sympathetic to my situation and helped where they could. Dad, an illiterate WW-1 army artillery veteran and a mean man. Family/neighbors chose not to cross him. He would be jailed today for what he did to we six boys --- after mother died of stomach cancer.. Five of we six brothers served in the U.S. Military. Three WW-2, me in Korea and Viet Nam as...Expand for more
an army infantryman, one in USAF between Korea and Viet Wars. I joined army as a recruit, at 16, 7th grade education, and retired as a O-4 (Major) at 36 with 21 years active army service. Did several overseas tours. Three to Korea, 1 Japan, 1 France, 2 Germany, 1 Panama C.Z. 1 Viet Nam and Alaska before statehood. Joined army with 6th grade education. got my GED while stationed in Rochefort, France as a deep sea diver plus three years of college while in the army. Completed BS after retiring from the army. Then, I learned only government agencies cared if I had a degree! Most potential employers assumed being a retired army officer, I had at least a BS degree.
Adios,
James T. (Jim )Cooper
Major U.S. Army (Infaantry) retired
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