Colonel James A. Heiter was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 1-54, 22 January 1954. His first duty assignment was as Tactical Officer,14th Officer Candidate Company, Fort Benning, Georgia. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Executive Officer, 107th Ranger Company, Fort Benning, Georgia;  Executive Officer, Company C, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Company Commander, Operations Officer and Adjutant, 506th Infantry, l0lst Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Operations Staff Officer, Headquarters, Eighth United States Army, Korea; Tactics Instructor, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia; Advisor, 1st Regiment, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam; Operations Officer and Battalion Commander, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Plans Officer and Battalion Commander, 101st Airborne Division, Vietnam; Infantry Training Advisor, Joint Military Assistance Advisory Group, Bangkok, Thailand; Military Assistance Staff Officer, Headquarters, United States Army, Pacific, Fort Schafter, Hawaii; Operations Staff Officer, Headquarters, Commander in Chief, Pacific, Camp Smith, Hawaii; Commander, 1st Brigade, l0lst Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. | Colonel Heiter is a graduate of the Associate Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Associate Command and Staff College, and Army War College. | His military awards include Silver Star w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star w/ V Device and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal w/ V Device and 11 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal w/ 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge 2d Award, Master Parachutist Badge, Royal Thai Army Parachutist Badge and Border Patrol Police Master Parachutist Badge.