 |
MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly WI '71
James David Lloyd Chatfield No.16154
Class of 1946 Died 29 June1969 in Seattle, Washington, aged
45 years. Interment: Fort Warden Cemetery, Port Townsend,
Washington |
On 29 June 1969, Colonel James David
Lloyd Chatfield, U. S. Air Force, passed away in Seattle, Washington,
at the age of 45. Jim, who was stricken with cancer in
February 1969 while on duty at Norton Air Force Base, California,
with the U. S. Air Force Inspector General, had been medically
retired on 24 May.
Jim's courageous fight, determination, and faith throughout
his brief illness, while suffering extreme pain, exemplified
his character. With steadfastness of complete faith in God's
love and wisdom, his devotion provided strength and courage to
his family and many friends. It is difficult for those who knew
Jim to accept his passing, especially since he was a man with
everything to live for-his career, his family, and his religion.
Jim was the son of the late Mrs. Gertrude B. Chatfield,
Arlington, Washington, and the late Marcus Morton Chatfield,
District Juvenile Commissioner and State Legislator of Minot,
North Dakota. With a military genealogy dating back to the Battle
of Hastings, Jim was one of seven brothers to serve in the United
States Armed Forces. Two of the brothers were graduates of the
U. S. Military Academy: Colonel Miles Chatficld, U.S. Army (Ret.),
Class of 1934, of Westminster, California, and Army Captain Keith
Chatfield, Class of 1941, killed at Bastogne in 1944. His other
brothers who served are: Colonel Kenneth A. (USAF, Ret.), Nashville,
Tennessee; Colonel Stanley A. (USAF), Ent Air Force Base, Colorado
Springs; Major Robert C. (USAF, Ret.), of Sacramento, California;
and Marcus M. Chatfield, an elementary school teacher in Deming,
New Mexico, who served during World War II.
Jim, an outstanding athlete of the Minot (North Dakota)
High School Class of 1942, also excelled in Plebe Sports while
at West Point. His classmates will always remember him for his
fierce competitive desire, another trait that exemplified Jim's
way of living, and which he instilled in his co-workers, subordinates,
and children.
During his twenty-three year career, Jim held a number
of key positions in the procurement and contract management fields
after his flying assignments. A senior pilot on flying status
until 1960, Jim had fighter pilot positions in Guam, Japan, and
the Philippines from August 1948 to July 1950. Between 1955 and
1958, lie had procurement assignments in Europe beginning with
Paris, France; Chief, Quality Control, Paris Air Procurement
District; in Geneva, Switzer1and as Plant Representative at Swissair;
in Torino, Italy, as F-86D Plant Representative, Fiat Co. From
1958 through 1965, he had key assignments at the Dayton Air Force
Depot and Newark Air Force Station, Ohio. At Newark AFS, Jim
was highly instrumental in establishing the Aerospace Guidance
and Metrology Center which has played a major role in the success
of the Nation's space and missile programs. As a memorial to
Jim's contributions, the Newark AFS has renamed its main entrance
road, Chatfield Drive.
During his career, Jim earned a Bachelor's Degree in
Industrial Administration, from the Air Force Institute of Technology
in 1951, and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from
George Washington University in 1966. Prior to his last assignment,
Jim attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort
McNair, Virginia. At his retirement he was Chief of the Procurement
and Contracting Branch of the U. S. Air Force Inspector General.
Upon his retirement he was awarded the Legion of Merit. The citation
to this award described it, essence Jim's' military career: "....
. the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts
consistently demonstrated by Colonel Chatfield . . ."
Jim's other decorations were the Air Force Commendation Medal
with Oak Leaf Cluster, World War II Victory Medal, and National
Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star.
Jim was married to the
former Helen E. Fryer of El Paso, Tex. In addition to Helen,
he is survived by his six children: Camelia, 19; David, 18; James,
16; John, 12; Linda, 8, and Thomas, 4. They are residing in Oak
Harbor, Washington. Jim is also survived by his sister, Mrs.
C. A. Mills of Seattle, Washington. Serving among the pallbearers
at his funeral were two classmates, Colonels Earl Van Sickle
and Louis Creveling. Jim is buried in a quiet spot in the Fort
Worden Cemetery near Port Townsend, Washington, overlooking San
Juan de Fuca Strait.
Those of us who knew Jim at the Academy,
in military assignments, and as a member of the community have
lost more than a friend. We know the profound loss of a devout
man who has enriched all our lives through his deep love and
compassion for his family, his country and for all humanity.
All of his friends and classmates offer Jim their "Well
Done" as he takes his honored place in "The Long Gray
Line."
|