- Jules James
Jules James, (1885-1957), was a career U.S. Naval officer that served a prominent stateside role during World War 2.
Jules James was born in Danville, Virginia, where he studied at
Virginia Military Institute preparatory to entering the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. In 1928 he married Eleanor Standish Gamble, niece of U.S. Secretary of WarHenry Stimson .Commissioned ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1910, James subsequently served as White House aide to President
Woodrow Wilson (1912-1913), and Assistant Naval Attache to the American embassies inFrance ,Spain , andPortugal (1923-1926). At times between 1926 and 1934 he was navigator on the USS|Florida|BB-30; commanded the USS|Edsall|DD-219, with which he participated in the Yangtze River patrol; served as naval aide for the Governor-General of the Philippines; attended theNaval War College ; and commanded the Destroyer Division 6, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet.In 1937 he directed the fitting out of the
light cruiser USS|Philadelphia|CL-41, which he then commanded. From 1939 to 1941, he served as assistant director and acting director of theOffice of Naval Intelligence . In 1941 he became commander of the newly acquired U.S. Naval Operating Base onBermuda , where he also commanded the combined U.S. and British local defense forces. In 1943 Admiral James assumed command of the Sixth Naval District, headquartered inCharleston, South Carolina , and theCharleston Navy Yard . In 1945 he became commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Mediterranean waters and retired from active duty in 1946.Following his naval career, James became a special representative in Europe for the National Lead Company.
Trivia
* Eleanor Standish Gamble was the great-great granddaughter of American founding father
Roger Sherman .References
* [http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/special/ead/findingaids/0223/ Guide to the Jules James Papers, 1907-1968] East Carolina University
* [http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/special/ead/findingaids/OH0028/ Eleanor Gamble James Oral History Interview, 1920s-1950s] East Carolina University
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/04/041/04041.htm USS PHILADELPHIA (CL-41)] Navy Source
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