Admiral James Linder

Admiral James Benjamin Linder 83, of Oro Valley, AZ and formerly of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa passed on away on April 7, 2009. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1949 as a commissioned officer and then married Patricia Joy Weir on June 9, 1949 at the First Methodist Church at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He served as an enlisted man in WWII and then went on to serve two tours in Korea, two tours in Vietnam and one tour in the Beruit/Lebanon conflict. Jim then took command of the USS Forrestal CVA 59 in 1972 where he was awarded the Admiral Flatley Safety Award for 1973 and 1974. Following his command on the USS Forrestal he was promoted to Rear Admiral then was given Battle Group Four, which operated in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to the Navy Cross, Admiral Linder received four Silver Stars, four Legions of Merit, seven Distinguished Flying Crosses, Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star, 24 Air Medals, two Navy/Marine Corp Commendation Medals, Navy Unit Commendation CAG 15, China Service Medal, American Defense Service Medals, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with three battle stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, United Nations Korean Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Korean Service, Vietnam Service Medal with three battles stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation (Cross of Gallantry), Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Service, Presidential Meritorious Service Medal from the President of Tunisia, Command Star Rear Admiral, and Command at Sea star. In addition to these, he received many awards and citations from the Republic of China (Free China) while serving as commander, Taiwan Defense Command and Commendation Red Cross Medal from the Greek government while in the Mediterranean area. He is survived by wife, Patricia; son, Jeffrey Linder of Katy, Texas; daughter, Jamey West of Las Vegas; three grandchildren, Anna Bishop of Las Vegas, NV, Ashli Spayde of Vista, CA and Jordan Linder of Katy, TX. He also leaves four great-grandchildren, Jacob Bishop of Las Vegas, and Kyle, Zachary and Ian Spayde all of Vista, CA; one brother, Jerry Linder of Borrego Springs and one sister, Shirley Sleyster of Arvada, CO. His parents preceded him in death. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 1:30 p.m. at the Oro Valley United Church of Christ, 1401 E. El Conquistador Way with Rev. James Briney officiating. A Memorial has been established to the USS Forrestal CVA 59 Scholarship Fund for Surviving Family Members of those who died in the 1967 fire. Military interment services will be held in Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel (742-7901).