James M. Settlemire, Jr.
7507228 Sr. Aviation Machinist's Mate
VP 3 Squadron
United States Navy
1944-1974

       James Marion Settlemire, Jr. was born 31 March 1926 in Birdeye, Arkansas, the fifth child of Jim and Laura Leslie Settlemire. He grew up in the Birdeye Community along with six sisters and attended schools in Cross County.
     At 17, Marion joined the Navy. and took his basic training in 1944. During World War II he served in the Pacific Theater earning the Good Conduct Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, World War II Medal, National Defense Medal with 1 Bronze star and the Philippine Liberation and Independence Medal with 1 Bronze Star.
    After World War II, Jim came home and was a civilian for about six months. During this time he married Lula L. Mayberry. They are the parents of two daughters, Myra D. and Marcia A. Jim re-enlisted in 1947 and was based as a Flight Engineer for land based P-3 planes. He served at Reyjavik, Iceland; Argentia, New Foundland; Bermuda; Brunswick, Maine; Jacksonville, Florida and spent his last 7 years at Millington, Tennessee.
    A Citation from Rear Admiral A. M. Sackett reads: "The Chief of Naval Technical Training takes pleasure in commending Senior Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate James Marion Settlemire, Jr., United State Navy, for service as set forth in the following citation:  "For professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties as Career Information Team Director, Chief of Naval Technical Training, Memphis, Tennessee from 31 march 1971 until 14 March 1973, and Staff Career Counselor, Chief of Naval Technical Training, Memphis, Tennessee, from 15 March 1973 until 28 February 1974. Senior Chief Petty Officer Settlemire consistently performed his varied and demanding duties in an exceptionally exemplary and professional manner, consistently displaying superior skill and tactfulness in his dealings with personnel, both junior and senior to him. His exceptional knowledge of Career Counseling matters have made him invaluable as an unfailing source of information.  Senior Chief Petty Officer SETTLEMIRE's willingness to accept additional responsibility and his desire and ability to perform all tasks in a highly professional manner have earned him a reputation for dedication to duty and dependability. Senior Chief Petty officer SETTLEMIRE's professionalism and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
   After his discharge in 1974, Jim and his family moved to Wynne, Arkansas to be close to both sets of parents. Jim went to work for Murray Chevrolet for several years. He was a volunteer at the Cross County Special Workshop and his one-acre vegetable garden was the envy of all his neighbors, who benefited from his generosity.
    James Marion Settlemire, Jr. died 5 October 1988 in Baptist East Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee and is buried in Crosslawn Cemetery, near Wynne.

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