Jim was born in Liverpool, England on September 6, 1946. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1964 and, after training, served at Naval Air Station Litchfield Park near Phoenix. Jim later supported the pre-commissioning of USS Arlington (AGMR-2), then served on yard tugs in Norfolk and briefly aboard USS Denebola (AF-56). Jim volunteered for Vietnam and deployed to Da Nang, before transitioning to the U.S. Army and Special Forces. After completing infantry training as an honor graduate, Jim earned his wings at Fort Benning, and trained at Fort Bragg before returning to Vietnam with A-502, 5th SFG (Abn) out of Nha Trang. He led a CIDG camp at Sui Dou, then moved to MACV-SOG (SOA-CCC), leading Recon Team Delaware on seven missions in Laos and Cambodia, plus time instructing at B-53. After service in 12th SFG (Reserves), Jim transferred to USAF Pararescue, supporting the early Space Shuttle recoveries, helping with rescue missions at Mount St. Helens, and supporting rescue missions at sea.

Jim retired honorably after 20 years of service on 26 January 1971.