JAMES J. JOSLIN, LTJG, USN

James Joslin '53

Date of birth: July 2, 1931

Date of death: August 15, 1955

Age: 24

Lucky Bag

From the 1953 Lucky Bag:

JAMES JAY JOSLIN

Kemmerer, Wyoming

A cowboy from the wild and wooly west Jos came to Navy Tech directly from Kemmerer, Wyoming, High School where he was an All-State tackle for two years and valedictorian of his class. He was a mainstay of the Fifth Batt football team, and a two year veteran of the Sub-Squad, although he didn't quite make it second class year. His classmates will probably best remember him for his Mother's weekly packages of chow. Jim couldn't make up his mind about a service career, but vowed to ride high, no matter what.

He was also a member of the 17th Company staff for the winter set and graduated “with distinction.”

JAMES JAY JOSLIN

Kemmerer, Wyoming

A cowboy from the wild and wooly west Jos came to Navy Tech directly from Kemmerer, Wyoming, High School where he was an All-State tackle for two years and valedictorian of his class. He was a mainstay of the Fifth Batt football team, and a two year veteran of the Sub-Squad, although he didn't quite make it second class year. His classmates will probably best remember him for his Mother's weekly packages of chow. Jim couldn't make up his mind about a service career, but vowed to ride high, no matter what.

He was also a member of the 17th Company staff for the winter set and graduated “with distinction.”

Loss

James was lost on August 15, 1955 when the aircraft he was piloting crashed near San Diego, California.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

James was given Honorable Mention as a football tackle in the All-Wyoming Grid Team in November 1948. He won a scholarship to the University of Wyoming.
James was named second alternate to the Naval Academy by Senator J. C. O'Mahoney. Later, he received his principal appointment from Senator Lester C. Hunt.

From Find A Grave:

Rock Springs Miner, Aug 21, 1955
LIEUT. J.J. JOSLIN
Funeral services for Lieut. (jg) James Jay Joslin of the U.S. navy will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Berta Penney Memorial Methodist church in Kemmerer.
Lieutenant Joslin was graduated from the Annapolis naval academy in 1953 and received his wings at Beeville, Texas, early this year.
While a high school student in Kemmerer he was an outstanding athlete and participated in football, basketball and track activities throughout southwestern Wyoming.
He was born July 2, 1931, in Kemmerer and had visited in Kemmerer early this summer before reporting for his assignment in San Diego.
Lieutenant Joslin crashed Monday a short time after he and his radar observer, D.C. Gilbert of Galesburg, Kan., took off in a jet from the San Diego air base where he was attached to the Fleet all-weather training unit. Both he and Gilbert were killed instantly.
He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Madaline Joslin and a brother Jimmy Joslin, both of Kemmerer; his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Nora McNair of Colorado Springs and his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Joslin of St. Francis, Kan.
Burial will be in Kemmerer city [Wyoming] cemetery.