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16034 Dr. James Hubert McBride
September 22, 1924 - January 05, 2000
usma1946-A2
MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Nov 2000

James Hubert Mc Bride * '46
No. 16034 * 22 Sep 1924-5 Jan 2000
Died in Wilson, NC * Interred in White Chapel Memorial Gardens,
Wichita, KS

JAMES HUBERT McBRIDE was born in Waco, TX. His family moved to Wichita, KS when Jim was quite young. Attending East High in Wichita, Jim was active on the wrestling team and on the school newspaper. He evidenced even then his penchant for world affairs by writing articles on WW II developments. He graduated from high school in 1942 and attended Witchita State University for one year before gaining his appointment to West Point where he joined the Class of 1946 on 1 July 1943.

Jim's brother was an academy graduate, Class of 1938; so Jim knew quite a bit about what to expect. His roommate, Hal Stirling, recalled: Jim, with guidance and knowledge received from his brother became, in my mind, an authority on cadet and Army life. Consequently, he became my mentor. Jim had considerable trouble with the Tactical Department and spent all of plebe and yearling years walking the area. Jim had his share of trouble with math and all the engineering subjects. Although Art hansen and were relatively proficient in those subjects; he never asked us or other classmates to coach him. I admired his perseverance and determination to succeed through his own efforts. He was on A Squad wrestling all three years and won his letter. "Graduation saw Jim pin on the gold bars of a second lieutenant in the Infantry.

Following Infantry schooling at Fort Benning, GA, Jim was assigned to Germany. In 1947 he married Barbara Smith. She died in 1991 after they had been divorced for many years. In Germany, Jim was aide de camp to General Smythe from 1950 to 1951. He returned to the States for the Infantry Advanced Course in 1952 after which he was assigned to KMAG in Korea. In 1955, Jim was assigned to Japan. He became a company commander with the 4th Infantry in 1956 and then went to Headquarters, 2nd Brigade, Ft. Devens, MA. After serving with Headquarters, Alaskan Command from 1959-61, Jim left the Army to try his hand at civilian life.

Jim joined the Georgetown Center for Strategic Studies in 1961 and was there until 1965. While there he received a Masters and a Ph.D. in Political Science. In 1965, Jim joined the Bendix Corporation "think tank" for the development and application of DOD related products. Jim returned to the Georgetown University Center for International and Strategic Studies in 1968 as a Specialist in Asian and Japanese Military affairs.

He left Georgetown in 1970 to become Professor of Asian Studies at the Air War College, Montgomery, AL. Jim retired from professional life in 1973.

Jim authored four books on military policies and defenses and co-authored several books with Dr. David M. Abshire.

After retirement, Jim moved to Wichita, KS to care for his elderly mother. From then until her death, he did private research and wrote several papers on biblical themes and his family genealogy. After his mother died in 1989, Jim and Joyce Leth, who he married in 1983, moved to Greensboro, NC.

In retirement, Jim enjoyed travel, camping, outdoor life, conversing on history and current events, reading, studying and his six grandchildren until Parkinson's disease took its toll. Jim had to enter North Carolina Special Care Facility, Wilson, NC in 1992 where he remained until his death on 5 January 2000.

Survivors include his wife, Joy; sons, James Ill, William, George, John, Carl Leth, Paul Leth, Michael Leth and daughter, Linda.

Jim McBride is remembered as a man whose mind was his gift. Always energetic, he was positive and liked a challenge. He was excited about living and loved history. He was a natural teacher, loved to encourage others, to stimulate thinking and was always patient with his explanations. Whatever he worked on, he gave it his best effort; he was a man of integrity and courage.

Jim was extremely proud to be a West Point graduate and tried his best to follow what he thought his life should be all about; Duty, Honor, Country.

Hal Stirling wrote: "I remember Jim as a cadet and officer who was dedicated to Duty, Honor, Country. Of his many attributes, determination and perseverance in the face of adversity were most remarkable."

The Class of 1946 joins his family and friends in saying: "Rest in Peace, Jim!"
 
 

'46 Memorial Article Project and his family
Personal Eulogy

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