LTJG DONALD W. JAMES, USN

Class 1962

Born May 12, 1940

Died April 14, 1964

Age 23

Hometown Granville, Ohio

Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1962 Lucky Bag:

Donald Willard James

Don came to the Naval Academy from a small midwestern town in Ohio. He was probably one of the more sports-minded individuals of the Brigade, excelling in football, basketball, baseball, and tennis. Although injuries hindered Don in participating in varsity football, he was an All-State end in high school. His quick wit, easy-going manner, and tremendous ability enabled Don to use much of his ability in cards and still get by the academic trickeries. Everywhere Don goes, one is sure to notice his pride in wearing the uniform of the Navy. In the branch of the service he chooses to make his career, Don is sure to bring much credit upon the Navy.

He was also a member of the 6th Company staff (fall).

Loss

From The Times-Recorder of Zanesville, Ohio

WASHINGTON (UPI) - Lt. (jg) Donald W. James of Granville, Ohio, was killed early Tuesday when a helicopter crashed into the sea after taking off from the aircraft carrier Enterprise in the Mediterranean. The Navy said James, 24, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W James, Granville. James was a native of Columbus, Ohio, and a 1962 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. His widow, Mary H. James lives with the parents. Cause the accident was not given.

The date of the crash was April 14, 1964.

Don was a member of Helicopter Utility Squadron (HU) 2.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Donald was a 1958 graduate of Granville High School. He married Mary Jane Horton on January 25, 1963. After graduating from Pensacola Naval School, he was stationed at Lakehurst, N. J. In February, 1964, he was assigned to the Enterprise and went to the Mediterranean area for duty. His helicopter crashed near the Bay of Naples. The co-pilot was saved.

Memorial services were held on April 18 in the First Presbyterian Church in Granville where he was a member. He was was survived by his wife, Mary, a son, Donald Michael, and also by a brother, David, and maternal grandmother, Mrs. Catherine Crumley.

A memorial scholarship was set up at his high school. (Information from November 1964 issue of Shipmate.)

Donald has a memorial marker in Ohio.

Photographs

Donald as a Midshipman, from The Newark Advocate on April 15, 1964

Cyrus Roberts, IV ‘62 and Clarence Tolbert ‘62 were also in 6th Company.

Class of 1962

Donald is one of 29 members of the Class of 1962 on Virtual Memorial Hall.