LTC James M. Tucker, USA, Ret.
Class of 1956
LTC James M. Tucker graduated from the Citadel in 1956 and was commissioned as a 2LT of Infantry. LTC Tucker's first assignment was to Korea as a Rifle Platoon Leader in the 1st Battle Group, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. His follow on assignment was to the Mountain Ranger Camp at Dahlonega, GA. From early 1959 through the Summer of 1961, LTC Tucker taught classes, walked lanes and mentored Ranger students. During this assignment he earned the Soldiers Medal for rescuing Soldiers from a downed helicopter at night that crashed during a training exercise. In 1962 LTC Tucker was sent to France. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment in the 3d Infantry Division at Kitzengen, Germany where he commanded A Company of the China Regiment for two years. His company was selected to represent the US Army at a military review for the President of France, General Charles de Gaulle. In August 1967, LTC Tucker deployed to Vietnam. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment in the 1st Infantry Division. For the first few months he was he Executive Officer for the unit and he then transitioned to the battalion's S-3, as the Operations Officer. Following his deployment to Vietnam, LTC Tucker served in multiple other staff and command positions including a tour to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a US Military Training Mission advisor to the Saudi Army for one year. LTC Tucker retired from the Army on 1 January, 1979 after more than 21 years active service to his country. Since his retirement he has been active in his local community of Fort Walton Beach, FL. He was elected to the City Council and has been an active member of the community for over 40 years. LTC Tucker's US Awards, Decorations and Badges include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldiers Medal, Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device, Bronze Star Medal 2d Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, Purple Heart with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. He was also inducted into the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame in 2016.