Private First Class James William Hunley was born on January 28, 1948 and was originally from Dayton, Ohio. He served his country in the Vietnam War in the United States Marine Corps as a rifleman in G Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. On August 15, 1968, PFC Hunley was killed in an explosion in Thua Thien province, South Vietnam; he was 19 at the time of his death. He is buried at Hazel Valley Cemetery in Oneida, Tennessee, and is memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Panel 24E, Line 113.
He had four siblings: David Hunley, Tim Hunley, Vicky Hunley Herney, and Lucile Hunley Martin, along with his father, Warren Hunley, and mother, Birdie Hunley. His nickname was given to him by family, and it was J-Will.
–Submitted by his nephew, James Hunley
I would like a relative or friend of PFC James W. Hunley contact me (Rongoddard227@gmail.com) or provide me with an address where I can contact them. I was the Squad Leader of James’ squad on the day James was killed by a booby trap. I can provide first hand information to the family regarding details of that day and cause of his death. I wrote a book about my experience in Vietnam and he is one of the Marines to whom I have dedicated the book. His name, and the day of this patrol appear on pages 271 and 272. My book is titled: The Band Never Played for Us, also see author website: ronaldggoddard.com. I would like to send the family a copy of my book as a memorial to James. Thank You.
–Submitted by Ronald G. Goddard
- Rank: Private First Class
- Date of birth: 28 January 1948
- Date of death: 15 August 1967
- County: Campbell
- Service Branch: Marine Corps
- Division/Assignment: 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division
- Conflict: Vietnam
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Hazel Valley Cemetery, Oneida, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XXII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor James W. Hunley
