Name: Sgt. James Fletcher Baxter

Place of Birth: Santa Paula, California

Personal History: Grew up in Santa Monica, California; married; 4 children & 6 grandchildren

Place of Recruitment: Santa Monica, California

Branch of Service: US Marine Corps (1943 – 1946) WWII & Korea; Active Reserved-US Marine Corps (1950 – 1951)

Military Occupation: S-2 Battalion Intelligence during post-war occupation in Japan. Rifle Squad Leader in Korea War

Class: Sergeant

Service History, Stateside or Abroad: San Diego boot camp 12/43 to 2/44; reported to Office of Strategic Service (2nd Marine Division BAR man), Camp Pendleton, Saipan, Japan on 4/44; to Okinawa 4/45 to 6/45; Nagasaki, Japan 5/46. Joined the Active Reserves in 7/50 and sent to Inchon, Korea. I was wounded and sent to Japanese hospital and to Korea Operation Killer to 4/51. I was discharged 7/51.

Thereafter, I returned home and did some lay missionary short term work in Central America (4 times), Russia (2 times), Israel and South Korea (1 time each). I taught Sunday School for 30 years and Adult School for 10 years, 2 nights a week. I also taught Observation Drawing and Oil Painting course. I graduated from Los Angeles State in 1957 with Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education. I taught 5th grade for 30 years. I was awarded Freedoms Foundation Classroom Teacher Medal in 1967; Life Member PTA Award (Public, Private, and Christian Schools) in Reseda, California. President of Professional Education of Los Angeles, California for three years. I was a Hollywood movie extra for 5 years. Also, 5 years commissioned from the City of Avalon, Catalina Island Police Department. I stayed for only 6 months because of the drug tourists.

Commendation & Honors:  Letter of Commendation and Valor Medals; Purple Heart

Present Location: Carrollton, Texas (Atria Carrollton)

What's Your Carrollton Connection? My son, Kurt, lives in Carrollton, Texas.