This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Linder, James Benjamin, RADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Osceola, Iowa
Last Address Oro Valley, Arizona Buried at Forest Home Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
Jim Linder was born on October 13, 1925, in Osceola, Iowa. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 19, 1943, and served until October 31, 1943. Linder later entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1945 and received his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy on June 3, 1949, serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) from June to September 1949. He then attended flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in December 1950, followed by service with Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron 7 at NAS San Diego, California, from January to May 1951. LT Linder flew F9F-2B and F9F-5 Panthers and later F9F-6 Cougars with VF-112 from May 1951 to April 1954, and during this time he flew combat missions in Korea from the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) between December 1951 and August 1952. He was stationed at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, as a Flight Training Officer from April 1954 to March 1957, and then attended additional training at NAS Glynco, Georgia, until September 1957. His next assignment was as ship's crew aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt from September 1957 to July 1959, followed by Naval War College from August 1959 to June 1960. CDR Linder completed A4D Skyhawk training at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, with VA-44 from July to December 1960, and then served as Operations Officer and Executive Officer of VA-172 at NAS Cecil Field, Florida, from December 1960 to June 1962. He next served a tour with the Bureau of Personnel, serving as a Legislative Assistant and then as an Aide to the Chief of Naval Personnel from July 1962 to July 1964, followed by Replacement Pilot training with VA-43 at NAS Oceana, Virginia, again flying the A-4 Skyhawk, from August to December 1964. CDR Linder then served as Executive Officer and then Commander of VA-76 from December 1964 to October 1966. During this time he flew numerous combat missions in Vietnam between October 1965 and June 1966, followed by service with Carrier Air Wing 12 from October 1966 to February 1967. CAPT Linder was Commadner of Carrier Air Wing 15 from February 1967 to May 1968, where he again flew combat missions in Southeast Asia from August 1967 to February 1968. He served another tour at the Bureau of Personnel from July 1968 to September 1969, and then served as a Senior Naval Aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs from September 1969 to March 1971. CAPT Linder was Commanding Officer of the combat stores ship USS Sylvania (AFS-2) from June 1971 to September 1972, followed by service as Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) from October 1972 to May 1974. He served as Assistant Vice Chief of Naval Operations/Director of Naval Administration from May 1974 to June 1975, followed by service as Commander, Carrier Group 4 from July 1975 to July 1977. ADM Linder was Commander, U.S. Taiwan Defense Command from July 1977 to April 1979, and then served as Special Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief of Pacific Command from May 1979 until his retirement from the Navy on August 31, 1979. He died on April 7, 2009, and was buried at the Forest Home Cemetery in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
Was awarded Silver Stars for actions on 3 consecutive days in October 1967.
October 23, 24, 25.
During the Korean War he flew 68 sorties in and around the Chosin area and
145 combat missions during the Vietnam War.
Image
Silver Star - 1966
Name of Award Silver Star
Year Awarded 1966
Last Updated: Oct 9, 2010
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed
Details Behind Award
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander James Benjamin Linder (NSN: 0-521643/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action with the enemy while attached to and commanding Attack Squadron SEVENTY-SIX (VA-76), aboard U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)65). On 11 May 1966, commander Linder led six A-4C Skyhawk aircraft on a primary mission responsible for the protection of a large strike group against surface-to-air missiles during the important attack on the vital military and supply targets at Ha Tou, North Vietnam. By his skillful deployment of aircraft, he was able to successfully suppress the launching of any SAM's against the strike group, although his own flight was forced to remain dangerously exposed to anti-aircraft fire for a prolonged period of time. Commander Linder had been directed to proceed on a second mission at the completion of the Ha Tou strike, and attack an active surface-to-air missile installation near Thanh Hoa, a hundred miles to the south. Proceeding to the objective through deteriorating weather and under fire from enemy SAM's, Commander Linder was able to locate and identify the site, despite clever efforts at camouflage and concealment. As he ordered his division to immediately execute a high speed, precisely timed, coordinated attack, all aircraft were taken under intense and accurate fire from the complex of radar controlled heavy anti-aircraft guns and automatic weapons completely surrounding the site. Despite the withering fire, the pilots resolutely followed Commander Linder in pressing home a determined, deliberate attack which placed all bombs in the target area and resulted in complete destruction of the missile installation, with no losses to our own forces. The completely successful execution of two very difficult, highly demanding, and extremely dangerous missions on a single flight is an achievement of unusual distinction, and must be attributed to Commander Linder's superior professional ability, his consummate flight leadership, and his absolute courage I the face of grave personal hazard. Commander Linder's skill and intrepid conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. General Orders: Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals Action Date: 11-May-66 Service: Navy Rank: Commander Company: Attack Squadron 76 (VA-76) Division: U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43)
