Obit of Moshier, Jim E. - Pontotoc County, Oklahoma

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::Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery--Bakersfield CA

Moshier, Jim E.    

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 from 7/15/2007 - 7/16/2007.
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