Jim was a tall lanky young man, well-liked by everyone who knew him. Ever since he could remember he wanted to fly. In his younger years, he spent endless hours in the basement of the family home working on model airplanes, mechanical drawings, and chemistry. All with the aim of someday, becoming, a flyer.

With his father's encouragement, he began to let go of his dreams of flying and applied to Princeton University. He was accepted and began his studies in 1928. 

An intelligent man, and aware of world affairs, Jim could see a war coming. He loved his country, he wanted to contribute. And, in November of 1940, he decided to enlist. He was rejected. He was too skinny. 

He gave it another try in February of 1941, and having a friend manning the scales, he met the weight requirement. Despite great protest from his contracted employer, Jim entered military service in March 1941, as a private in the United States Army air corps. 

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