Colonel James Francis Dias was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 18 May 1967. His first duty assignment was as Training Officer, COA, 5th Battalion, 2nd Bde, USATC, Fort Lewis, Washington. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Platoon Leader, 2/47th (M), 9th Division, Republic of Vietnam; Support Platoon Leader, 2/47th (M), 9th Division, Republic of Vietnam; Training Officer, 9th Battalion, 3rd Tng Brigade, Fort Benning, Georgia; Company Commander, Company B, 304 Regiment, 76th Division (Tng), Manchester, New Hampshire; S-3, 3/18 Infantry Battalion, 187th Bde (Sep), Lowell, Massachusetts; Company Commander, Company C, 3/18th Infantry Battalion, 187th Bde (Sep), Lawrence, Massachusetts; S-4, 3/18th Infantry Battalion, 187th Bde (Sep), Lawrence, Massachusetts; Supply Officer, DCSLOG, Headquarters 94th ARCOM, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts; Assistant S-3, Headquarters, 187th Infantry Bde (Sep), Fort Devens, Massachusetts; S-3, Headquarters, 187th Infantry Brigade (Sep), Fort Devens, Massachusetts; Battalion Commander, 3/35th Infantry Battalion, 187th Infantry Bde (Sep), Springfield, Massachusetts; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Training, Headquarters, 94th ARCOM, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts; Deputy Chief of Staff for Training, Headquarters, 94th ARCOM, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts; Chief of Staff, Headquarters 94th Army Reserve Command, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. | Military schools attended include: United States Army Infantry School, Infantry Officer Basic Course, Jungle Warfare School, Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, National Security Course (Reserve Component), Pre-Command Course, FUSA/ARRTC. | His awards and decorations include: Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards), Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Tng Ribbon w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.