I received a message the other day from Jim's sister that he passed away on 2/6/2016. Jim served as a platoon leader, including Recon Platoon ("Two-Niner") and, after being promoted to CPT, as the Alpha Co. commander ("Alpha Six"). He received a severe head wound in June '68 from the same artillery round that killed CPT Carl Kizer. He was evacuated and, after recuperating, served another tour in Vietnam from '69-'70 with 2/16 Inf. At the end of his career he retired at the rank of LTC. He was an outstanding combat leader and Army officer.

The attached photo was taken at a Big Red One reunion in Reno in 2003. It shows Jim (far left) with some of his guys from Recon in early '68. I'm second from the right. On my right is Julio Martinez and on his right is Medina (I don't remember the first name). Yes, I know that we look like an ordinary group of old guys, and that we are, but once upon a time we were called upon to do extraordinary things - and we did. Jim Deegan inspired, motivated and challenged us. That's leadership.

You're on point, Two-Niner. We'll meet again on another LZ. Black Lions, Sir!