Sgt. Jonathon James started his military career in May 2006 and began his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, then made his way to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for his AIT training and finished in Fort Benning, Georgia for his Airborne training. He was then assigned as a Forward Observer in Able Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

Sgt. James was deployed to Afghanistan in May 2007 in support of Operation Enduing Freedom.  He participated in over 300 mounted and dismounted combat patrols that disrupted Taliban activity in the Watapor and Pech Districts of Kunar Province, Afghanistan.  He also aided in the difficult and time-consuming task of constructing Forward Operating Base Honaker-Miracle and helped build more than six living areas, an aid station, and tactical Operation Center, participated in numerous joint patrols with the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, which in turn helped form the framework necessary for building a stronger security force within the Pech Valley and helped prepare the Afghan National Security Forces to perform their tasks in a more self-sustained manner.  He also participated in over 50 humanitarian aid distribution missions: delivering food, clothes, and other necessities to the needy people of the Watapor District, participated in numerous village assessments that led to the construction of schools, clinics, and other vital infrastructures.

During all of this, Sgt. James was injured on one particular patrol that resulted in him receiving injuries in his left hand and also damage to his left ear and fluid on his brain along with numerous other long-term physical and mental injuries.  Sgt James was transported to Landstuhl Army Hospital in March 2008 where he spent several weeks before being transported to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C. where he continued to recover for a period of 2 years.

He received many medals including the distinguished Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for injuries sustained in action. The recommendation for his medals stated, “An incredibly brave soldier who assumed a leader role directing fires while under intense fire even after being wounded, he stayed in the fight delivering lethal effects and inspiring others to include moving other wounded under fire.”  Sgt. James received additional medals including the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and a NATO Medal. Sgt. James was also chosen by Michelle Obama for the first speech in Congress in February 2009, along with Captain Sulley, who flew the plane that landed in the Hudson River.

Sgt. James is married to Teresa James, has one daughter, Alexis, two stepsons, Destry and Jake, one grandson, Keaden, and one grandson on the way.

For more stories about previously selected Branson Bank Veterans, please visit: www.bransonbank.com.  To nominate a local Veteran for The Branson Bank Veteran of the Quarter, please see a Customer Service Representative for the Nomination Form.  Veterans are chosen by a panel of their peers.