James John Porter – Colonel, United States Army Reserve Foreign Service Officer

From a contemporary press report:

James John Porter, 51, who retired this month after 26 years as a State Department Foreign Service officer, died of a brain tumor June 24, 1998 at his home in McLean, Virginia.

Colonel Porter was born in West Point, New York, the son of an Air Force officer. He grew up in various countries across the globe, including Norway and Japan. He graduated from Tulane University and received a master’s degree in international relations and a doctorate in European history from Boston University. He also studied international law at The Hague.

He began his Foreign Service career in 1972, after serving three years in the Army. During his military service, he reached the rank of captain and served in the Vietnam War. His honors included the Bronze Star. He was a colonel in the Army Reserve.

As a Foreign Service officer, he had assignments in Europe and Asia.

He recently wrote a book about his medical and spiritual experience since being diagnosed with a brain tumor three years ago. “A Gift of Life” was published in 1997.

His marriage to Amanda Hoover ended in divorce.

Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Aly Porter, and their two sons, Scott Porter and Dennis Porter, all of McLean; his parents, retired Lt. Col. Ernest Porter and Roze Porter, of Texas; and two sisters.

PORTER, JAMES JOHN ”Jim” Col USA Reserves

Of McLean, Virginia, on Wednesday, June 24, 1998, at his residence. Beloved husband of Aly B. Porter; devoted father of Scott and Dennis Porter; son of Ernest and Roze M. Porter; brother of Candice McCarthy and Jan Byers.

Funeral services will be held at McLean Presbyterian Church, 1020 Balls Hill Rd., McLean, VA on Tuesday, July 7 at 11 a.m. Interment Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on Tuesday, July 28 at 3 p.m. Family and friends will meet at the Administration Building at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to A.B.T.A., 2720 River Rd., Des Plains, Illinois 60018 or to the ospice of Northern VA, 6400 Arlington Blvd., Suite 1000, Falls Church, Virignia 22046.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard