Technical Specialist 4 James Thurman, Jr.
Branch of Service: Army
Military Occupations: Power Plant Operator and Electrical Repairman
Years of Service: 1966-1968
Award: National Defense Service Medal
Doctor James Henry Thurman, Jr., an ordained minister, entered the Army in February 1966. His military occupational specialties were as a Power Plant Operator and Electrical Repairman. While at Fort Knox, Thurman, who ended active duty as a Technical Specialist-4, qualified as Expert in Rifle. His final duty assignment was with the 1st Army in the 522nd Engineer Company. Thurman was discharged in February 1968.
After leaving the Army, he worked for over 30 years as a Professional Retail Sales Manager for retailers such as Kroger, Cracker Barrel, and Red Lobster. Thurman is actively involved in several veterans’ organizations. In 2012, he founded and was first Commander of the Lexington area chapter of the National Association of Black Veterans. He ministered for several decades at Lexington’s Shiloh Baptist Church, and served as an assistant chaplain at the Fayette County Detention Center and a chaplain with the Lexington Police Department.