James Quinn - U.S. Merchant Marine and Navy (1943-48)

Jim was born on November 7, 1927 in Brooklyn NY, he was orphaned at the age of 13 years old, and has been on his own ever since. With the country at war at that time he joined the Merchant Marine at the age of 16. He started in the engine room of a coal burning ship as a coal passer. Then transferred to the deck department. He was on ships during the North African campaign. Later he continued on ships bringing supplies in support of the D-Day Invasion and liberation of France.

Jim enlisted into the United States Navy and was on the Navy boxing team , and won the Tri State Lightweight Golden Glove Championship in 1947 in Jacksonville, Florida. Jim was honorably discharged in 1948. He had various jobs before he became a NYC police officer. He worked undercover in plain clothes and then promoted to detective, then went on to serve as a athletic instructor in the academy, where he became affiliated with the FBl. During this time Jim married and had five children.

During Desert Storm Jim recorded the National Anthem that was aired on tv every night through out Connecticut. He also sang at many rallies in support of the troops.

He worked in the superior court system in New London, CT as a bailiff . Jim was a security supervisor at William Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT. Jim worked as an investigator for General Dynamics ,then his last 20 years working till the age of 91, yes you read that correctly the age of 91, he was an investigator for the Mohegan Sun Casino. He was the liaison between the secret service and the casino regarding counterfeits.

Jim and his wife Kim recently moved to Maryland to be near their daughter JaJai and her husband Greg who is active duty in the Navy going through the anesthesia residency program at Walter Reed.

Jim will be 98 in November, he takes each day as a blessing from God, he has his own aquatic routine to remain healthy. Jim will be a grandfather in November and is overjoyed and looking froward to it.

All that Jim has experienced and lived through , he is the most positive and forgiving person I have ever known, he always has maintained a positive attitude towards life. His main philosophy is don't look to far in the future, plan ahead, but live in the NOW, and thank God each day for your blessings.

-Kimberly S. Quinn (Jim's wife)