Colonel James E. Hilmar was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 8 April 1943, class number 212. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, A&P Platoon, Headquarters Company 2d Battalion, 29th Infantry. | His subsequent duty assignments include:  Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Headquarters Co, 3d Bn, 310th Inf, 78th Div; Platoon Leader, Co XO, 310th Inf, 78th Div; 398th Inf, 100 Div; Co Comdr, 398 Inf, 100 Div; Tng Co Comdr, Instructional Committees, B Btry, 19th FA Bn (Tng); Tactical Officer, 5th Inf Div Leaders Course; Asst post Transportation Officer, Headquarters, 5th Inf Div, Post Transportation; Inf Off, Adv Course, USAIS, Post Supply Officer, Tng Center, Puerto Rico; Logistics Staff Officer, Auditor, U.S. Army Audit Agency; Logistics Advisor, ROKA, KMAG, Korea; Asst B.G. S-3 and S-3, 1st B.G., 26th Inf, 1st Div; Asst Chief of Staff Office, Headquarters, 1st Inf Div; Staff Officer G-3 Division, Headquarters, USACONARC; Asst G-4, Plans & Operations Chief, Headquarters USASETAF, Vernona, Italy; Bde XO, Headquarters, 3d Bde, 4th Inf Div; Bn CO; Headquarters, 3d Bn, 22d Inf; Project Officer, Doctrine Studies, USACDCICAS. | Colonel Hilmar's awards and decorations include: Republic of Vietnam (2 Star), VN Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, European Theater of Operations, Presidential Unit Citation, CIB 2nd Award, ARCM (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal, Bronze Star Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster.