World War II Honoree

James Lee 'Jim' Powell

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

Relationship

Relationship Not Determined

A MEMBER OF THE CHEROKEE AMERICAN INDIAN NATION, HE RELOCATED WITH HIS FAMILY TO OAKDALE, CALIFORNIA IN 1941. DURING HIS SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL HE ENLISTED IN THE U.S. NAVY IN FEBRUARY, 1945. HE TRAINED INITIALLY IN THE AMERICAN THEATER FOR ENTRY-LEVEL 'BOOT CAMP' AND THEN ADVANCED SPECIALTY QUALIFICATION. HE WAS THEN ASSIGNED OVERSEAS TO THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AND SERVED ABOARD A DESTROYER IN THE FORMOSA STRAITS. HE LATER SERVED AS A RADIO OPERATOR ABOARD THE ATTACK CARGO SHIP USS WHITESIDE (AKA-90). HIS CARGO SHIP DELIVERED SUPPLIES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC AND TO CHINA AND JAPAN AFTER THE END OF HOSTILITIES. THE SHIP WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE TESTING OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS AT BIKINI ATOLL IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS. AWARDED THE CHINA SERVICE MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN NOVEMBER, 1947, AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.