King, James J.

Description

James J. King was born Nov. 5, 1920, in Port Chester, N.Y. James and Bertha King. James and his parentslived at 8 Bulkley Manor, in the town of Rye, New York. The father rented the home for 25$/month ($475 in current day payment). All of the family members were born from New York.

James graduated from Rye High School in the class of 1937 where he was a member of the basketball team and the chess club.

After graduating, he earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from New York University in New York City. James enlisted in the U.S Army during WWII in 1943. He served in England, Italy, and North Africa as a Technician Fourth Grade (TEC 4)

The the rank of Technician Fourth Grade was added by War Department on January 8, 1942, per Army Regulation 600-35. An update issued on September 4, 1942, added a letter “T” to the rank insignia.

Those who held the rank were often addressed as Sergeant. Technicians possessed specialized skills that were rewarded with a higher pay grade. These skills could be directly related to combat, such as those skills possessed by a tank driver or combat engineer, or skills possessed by those in support functions such as cooks or mechanics. They were non-commissioned officers, as were sergeants but had no command authority. Initially, they shared the same insignia as sergeant, but on September 4, 1942, the three technician ranks were distinguished by a block “T” imprinted below the standard chevrons. Unofficial insignia using a technical specialty symbol instead of the T was used in some units. and was discharged in 1945.

James moved to Anchorage with the U.S. Corps of Engineers in 1950 and worked there until starting with the Civil Aeronautics Administration, now known as the Federal Aviation Administration, in 1960. In 1973 he began working for the Municipality of Anchorage as a project inspector, retiring in 1987. James was a member of the VFW, the Anchorage Senior Center and Sons of the American Revolution. He was an avid coin collector and enjoyed fencing, genealogy, watching boxing and listening to classical music.

His family said: ”Dad was independent, intelligent, robust and thrifty. Dad was devoted to his children, and people will remember his sense of humor. He was a friend of Bill W. for 30 years and lived life one day at a time.” Survivors included his son and daughter, Richard and Elsie King; and grandchildren, Joseph and Leslie Brooks all of Anchorage. His son, James Joseph King III, preceded him in death.

Longtime Anchorage resident James Joseph King JR., 82, died Feb. 28, 2003, at his home in Chugiak Senior Center. He was buried with honors at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

-Matthew Franco

Sources: Anchorage Daily News March 6, 2003, RHS 1937 Yearbook, 1930 Census