Talk:Clifton James

WWII Photo

Photo of Clifton James either during or shortly after the end of WWII. Note the ribbons. They are something of a jumble which wasn't unusual for the WWII soldiers. Especially the ones who were drafter shortly before or during the war. The Army provided very little instruction on the proper display of ribbons (too busy training and fighting a global war) and many units made-up their own policies.

WWII Service

An exert from Clifton James obituary which appeared in the Portland Tribune on May 8, 2017.

James was one of the last survivors of WWII's 41st Division, composed of National Guard units from Idaho, Montana, Oregon, North Dakota and Washington state. Serving in the U.S. Army for 42 months in the South Pacific during WWII, he was awarded the Silver Star for his bravery in combat on April 21, 1945.

During the spring of 1945, James served as a staff sergeant leading a combat patrol to determine the strength of enemy entrenchments on several ridges on the Philippines Jolo Island, where previous U.S. attacks had been repulsed. Rather than endanger the whole patrol on April 21, he asked them to stay under cover and watch him try to crawl undetected toward an enemy's trench system. James came under heavy automatic fire once he crawled within 20 yards of the trench.Then, with complete disregard for his life, [James] charged the position, killing its occupants, a now-declassified military document says. Continuing on his mission, he crawled to a vantage point, where he could observe the activity of the enemy on the next ridge. With this valuable information gained, the forthcoming attack was a success. More information about James military service and letters he sent home to family is available in copies of "Gladstone, Oregon: A History" by Gladstone historian Herbert K. Beals available at City Hall. James suffered various injuries during WWII, including the loss of his front teeth. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a drama degree in 1950.In 1951, James married Laurie Harper, who died in 2015. He is survived by six children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

I always liked how he often portrayed buffonish red-neck sheriffs who were easily outwitted by the leading men. In reality he knew far more about the world of organized violence and firearms than most of his co-stars. But that's the movie business for you. All make-believe. --Jcordell (talk) 10:24, 12 June 2020 (EDT)