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Corporal Jim E. Moshier August 3, 1943 - June 11, 1967 After 40 years “missing in action”, Marine Corporal Jim E. Moshier will finally rest near his father, brother, and the son he never met. At midday on June 11, 1967, Jim and 10 other Marines perished when their helicopter was shot down on a reconnaissance mission in Quang Tri Province in South Vietnam. Because of heavy enemy presence, immediate efforts to search and recover were not possible. Further recovery attempts, which resulted in 4 additional casualties, were also unsuccessful. Only recently have Jim’s remains been positively identified.

James Edwin Moshier, the youngest of four children, was born in Ada, Oklahoma, to Tom and Stella Moshier on August 3, 1943. Shortly after, the family moved to Bakersfield where Jim grew up, attended local schools, and graduated from East Bakersfield High School. At East High, Jim lettered in swimming, track, football, and was a champion wrestler. Upon graduation in 1961, Jim joined the U.S. Navy and spent 3 years in Japan, serving aboard the USS Washtenaw County. He continued to wrestle competitvely for the Navy and was the 12th District Naval Wrestling Champion in his weight, and at one event, tied the National Champion of Japan. He then took up boxing and was equally successful.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jim enrolled at Bakersfield College, participating in football and lettering in wrestling. It was there he met and fell in love with Janice Eyraud. Jim enlisted in the Marines in March, 1966, and he and Jan married shortly after. At Camp Pendleton, where Jim received his training, he was honored at graduation as the Guide of Company D of the First Battalion.

In August, 1966, he was sent to Vietnam as part of the Third Marine Division. He was seriously wounded in action in December, 1966, for which he received the Purple Heart. After his recovery in Japan, Jim resumed duties with the Third Force Recon in Quang Tri Province, where he was wounded a second time, earning the Gold Star. Only two months before his scheduled return home, Jim was killed and received his second Gold Star posthumously. Jim was also awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, two Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citations, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Rifle Expert Badge.

At the time of Jim’s Memorial Service in July, 1967, he was survived by his wife, Janice; his newly born son, Eric James; his mother and father; his two brothers; and his sister. Since that time, his father, Tom and brother, Dale, have passed, and his teenage son was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1984. Jim currently leaves behind his mother, Stella Moshier; sister, George Ann DeMarco; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Gloria Moshier; three nephews, Tom Moshier Jr., Vincent DeMarco III, and James Anthony DeMarco; and niece, Tracy Brown; best friend, Bob Martini; 3 aunts, numerous cousins; and a host of college friends and Marine brothers who still hold Jim in their hearts.

The family continues to mourn Jim’s loss, but the return of his remains brings closure to a sad period of uncertainty. The funeral service scheduled for 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, July 18, at Hillcrest Memorial Park will not only be a celebration of Jim’s life and his return to his family, but will also provide an opportunity for other veterans to pay tribute to fallen comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, as Jim did.

Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 7/15/2007.