Vernon E. James

Vernon E. James (15 November 1929 – 22 April 2010) was a career officer in the United States Army. A longtime member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, he served from 1946 to 1989 and attained the rank of major general. James commanded a cavalry troop and squadron, and an infantry battalion and brigade. His career culminated with command of the 28th Infantry Division from 1985 to 1989, and his awards included the Army Distinguished Service Medal.

A native of Tyrone, Pennsylvania, where he was raised and educated, James graduated from Tyrone High School in 1948. He began his civilian career with the Pennsylvania Railroad before becoming an employee of the Westvaco paper mill in Tyrone, where he held several technician and management positions before becoming the plant's employee involvement coordinator, the post he held at the time of his 1991 retirement. In 1989, James completed a bachelor's degree in social sciences at Tennessee's Cumberland University.

James had begun his military before his high school graduation by joining the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as a private in March 1947. As a member of Service Company, 104th Armored Cavalry Regiment, he was promoted to sergeant and served until November 1952, when he received a direct commission as a second lieutenant. James advanced through the ranks in command and staff assignments of increasing rank and responsibility, and his command assignments included: Troop M, 3rd Squadron, 104th Armored Cavalry Regiment; 2nd Squadron, 104th Armored Cavalry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment; and 56th Infantry Brigade. In 1985, he was assigned to command the 28th Infantry Division, which he led until retiring in 1989.

In retirement, James continued to reside in Tyrone. He died in Tyrone on 22 April 2010. James was buried at Blair Memorial Park in Bellwood, Pennsylvania.