James Chandler: ‘A man of great strength’
James Chandler receiving the Purple Heart (left) , later in his military career (center) and near the end of his life (right). CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Maj. James E. Chandler of Darlington was wounded in September 1966 while serving in Vietnam with the Marine Corps’ 1st Recon Battalion, 1st Marine Division, from February 1964 to January 1967, his family said. He was awarded a Purple Heart for that injury, but it was only part of a distinguished military career that spanned some 30 years. After returning to Darlington, Chandler enlisted in the S.C. Army National Guard with the 163rd Support Battalion, Company B. He graduated from the S.C. National Guard OCS program and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant, his family said. He later transferred to Orangeburg, where he served as the commander of the 218th Infantry Brigade, 163rd Support Battalion Company D. His family said Chandler died in 2020 from lung cancer that was directly related to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. A friend remarked, “So in the end, Jimmy gave his life for his country.” Chandler’s family remembers him as “a man of great strength who fought valiantly for the country he dearly loved.”
