My Family Tree

Find A Grave Memorial# 23904864
=====
MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly WI '71

James David Lloyd Chatfield No.16154 Class of 1946 Died 29 June1969 in Seattle, Washington, aged 45 years. Interment: Fort Warden Cemetery, Port Townsend, Washington

On 29 June 1969, Colonel James David Lloyd CHATFIELD, U. S. Air Force, passed away in Seattle, Washington, at the age of 45. Jim, who was stricken with cancer in February 1969 while on duty at Norton Air Force Base, California, with the U. S. Air Force Inspector General, had been medically retired on 24 May.

Jim's courageous fight, determination, and faith throughout his brief illness, while suffering extreme pain, exemplified his character. With steadfastness of complete faith in God's love and wisdom, his devotion provided strength and courage to his family and many friends. It is difficult for those who knew Jim to accept his passing, especially since he was a man with everything to live for-his career, his family, and his religion.

Jim was the son of the late Mrs. Gertrude B. CHATFIELD, Arlington, Washington, and the late Marcus Morton CHATFIELD, District Juvenile Commissioner and State Legislator of Minot, North Dakota. With a military genealogy dating back to the Battle of Hastings, Jim was one of seven brothers to serve in the USA Armed Forces. Two of the brothers were graduates of the U. S. Military Academy: Colonel Miles Chatficld, U.S. Army (Ret.), Class of 1934, of Westminster, California, and Army Captain Keith CHATFIELD, Class of 1941, killed at Bastogne in 1944. His other brothers who served are: Colonel Kenneth A. (USAF, Ret.), Nashville, Tennessee; Colonel Stanley A. (USAF), Ent Air Force Base, Colorado Springs; Major Robert C. (USAF, Ret.), of Sacramento, California; and Marcus M. CHATFIELD, an elementary school teacher in Deming, New Mexico, who served during World War II.

Jim, an outstanding athlete of the Minot (North Dakota) High School Class of 1942, also excelled in Plebe Sports while at West Point. His classmates will always remember him for his fierce competitive desire, another trait that exemplified Jim's way of living, and which he instilled in his co-workers, subordinates, and children.

During his twenty-three year career, Jim held a number of key positions in the procurement and contract management fields after his flying assignments. A senior pilot on flying status until 1960, Jim had fighter pilot positions in Guam, Japan, and the Philippines from August 1948 to July 1950. Between 1955 and 1958, lie had procurement assignments in Europe beginning with Paris, France; Chief, Quality Control, Paris Air Procurement District; in Geneva, Switzer1and as Plant Representative at Swissair; in Torino, Italy, as F-86D Plant Representative, Fiat Co. From 1958 through 1965, he had key assignments at the Dayton Air Force Depot and Newark Air Force Station, Ohio. At Newark AFS, Jim was highly instrumental in establishing the Aerospace Guidance and Metrology Center which has played a major role in the success of the Nation's space and missile programs. As a memorial to Jim's contributions, the Newark AFS has renamed its main entrance road, Chatfield Drive.

During his career, Jim earned a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Administration, from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1951, and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from George Washington University in 1966. Prior to his last assignment, Jim attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort McNair, Virginia. At his retirement he was Chief of the Procurement and Contracting Branch of the U. S. Air Force Inspector General. Upon his retirement he was awarded the Legion of Merit. The citation to this award described it, essence Jim's' military career: ".... . the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Chatfield . . ." Jim's other decorations were the Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, World War II Victory Medal, and National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star.

Jim was married to the former Helen E. Fryer of El Paso, Tex. In addition to Helen, he is survived by his six children: Camelia, 19; David, 18; James, 16; John, 12; Linda, 8, and Thomas, 4. They are residing in Oak Harbor, Washington. Jim is also survived by his sister, Mrs. C. A. Mills of Seattle, Washington. Serving among the pallbearers at his funeral were two classmates, Colonels Earl Van Sickle and Louis Creveling. Jim is buried in a quiet spot in the Fort Worden Cemetery near Port Townsend, Washington, overlooking San Juan de Fuca Strait.

Those of us who knew Jim at the Academy, in military assignments, and as a member of the community have lost more than a friend. We know the profound loss of a devout man who has enriched all our lives through his deep love and compassion for his family, his country and for all humanity. All of his friends and classmates offer Jim their "Well Done" as he takes his honored place in "The Long Gray Line."
=====
Officer Assigned to Dayton Base
Capt. James D. Chatfield son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Fryer of 1008 Prospect Avenue, has been assigned to Dayton Air Force Base as production officer. Captain Chatfield is the husband of the former Helen Fryer. They now live in Dayton, Ohio, with their four children. Captain Chatfield's last assignment was in Torino, Italy, with the Torino Air Logistic Office. He is a graduate of West Point.
El Paso Herald-Post - El Paso, Texas - 8 Dec 1958.

Records not imported into INDI (individual) Gramps ID I12681:

Empty note ignored Line 409700: 2 NOTE
Tag recognized but not supported Line 409701: 2 _SCBK Y
Tag recognized but not supported Line 409703: 2 _TYPE PHOTO
Tag recognized but not supported Line 409704: 2 _SSHOW Y
Tag recognized but not supported Line 409710: 2 _SCBK Y
Tag recognized but not supported Line 409712: 2 _TYPE PHOTO
Tag recognized but not supported Line 409713: 2 _SSHOW Y