He saw action in five campaigns as a Marine in the Pacific. Born in Ridgway, Illinois, James enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, entered boot camp in January of 1943, and was shipped overseas later that year on July 1. By November he was fighting on Bougainville as a raider in the Fourth Marine Regiment, Sixth Marine Division. He participated in five campaigns, including those for Guam and Okinawa. After serving in the occupation of Japan, James was discharged in December 1945. He became the manager of State Farm Insurance in Shreveport in 1955, and retired in 1990.