James L. Estep

Colonel James L. Estep was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 1-64 on 16 June 1964.  His first duty assignment was as Special Forces A  Detachment Executive Officer, C Company, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and South Vietnam. | His subsequent duty assignments include:  Instructor, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georiga; Rifle Company Commander, 1st Cavalry, Vietnam; S3, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georiga; Advisor, U.S. Army Advisory Group, Vietnam; Infantry Project Officer, PMTAADE, Battalion Executive Officer, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea; Company Commander, 7th Special Forces; Group Executive Officer/Deputy Commander, 5th Special Forces; Special Operations Staff, Commander in Chief, Pacific; Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces, Okinawa, Japan; and Commander Special Operations Command, Comsock, Korea; Senior Army Advisor, 108th Division, North Carolina. | Colonel Estep is a graduate of the Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, United States Army War College, and the Special Forces Officer Course. | His military awards include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star w/ Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart w/ Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/ Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal w/ Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Command Medal, Army Command Medal w/ Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/ Six Oak Lead Clusters, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon w/ Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnam Honor Medal, Korean Distinguished Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Parachutist Badge (Thailand), Parachutist Badge (Korea), and Parachutist Badge (Philippines).