MSG JAMES L. THORPE

          MSG James L. Thorpe was born in Ipswich, England.  He enlisted in the Army in March 1989.  He completed Basic Training at Fort Dix, NJ and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Biss, TX as 14S MANPADS crew member (Avender).  His assignments include 5-5 ADA, Camp Casey, Korea; 2-3 ADA, Fort Riley, KS; 5-5 ADA, Camp Casey, Korea; 4-3 ADA, Fort Riley, KS; the Noncommissioned Officers Academy (BNCOC), Fort Bliss, TX; 3-62 ADA, Fort Drum, NY; 1-44 ADA, Fort Hood, TX; 1-44 ADA, Fort Bliss, TX. He is now assigned to the (ROTC) program at Santa Barbara, CA.                                                                                                   
          MSG Thorpe has held numerous leadership positions to include, stinger MANPADS gunner, stinger MANPADS Team Chief, stinger MANPADS Squad Leader, Avenger Squad Leader, Stinger Avenger Platoon Sergeant, Small Group Leader (BNCOC), and 1SG.

          His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC); the Army Commendation Medal (2-OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (4OLC), the Army Good Conduct Medal (4Awd), the National Defense Service Medal, The Southwest Asia Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (w/num3), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (2), the Kuwait Liberation Medal) Saudi), and Liberation of Kuwait Medal (Kuwait).

           He is a member of both the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. MSG Thorpe was recognized as the Fort Bliss NCO of the Year and the Tradoc NCO of the Year, Fiscal Year 2003. MSG Thorpe was also recognized as the Instructor of the Year at the United States Army Noncommissioned Officers Academy Fiscal year 2003.

             His military education includes; 14S Advanced Individual Training, Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, First Sergeant Course, Rail Load Course, Air Load Planners Course, Nuclear Biological Chemical Course, Observer~ Controller Course, Combat Life Saver Course, Armor Course, Instructor Training Course, Small Group Instructor Course, The Master Fitness Course, and the Master Gunner Course (Avenger).

             MSG Thorpe is married to the former Monica Domingas of Laredo, TX. They two children; Michelle ~ 4 yrs, and Ian ~ 2 yrs.