James E. Carden Jr.

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Early Life and Family

James Eugene Carden, Jr. was born on July 18, 1934, in Woodward Mining Camp #2 (Lipscomb) Alabama. James was the son of James E Carden, Sr. and Katie Shearer Carden.

His bond with Grandmother Mattie was very instrumental in his early childhood. They would sit by her fireplace in their rocking chairs, and read. When reading and he encountered a word he did not understand, he would call out to her “big word”. She would patiently pronounce the word and explain its meaning.

Even though there were not any early childhood educational programs in the late 1930s, James was able to read and recite his ABCs at the age of three. When four years old, Neighbor Emma Young suggested that after James went to sleep, they would go get some I-C-E C-R-E-A-M, James replied “I want some ice cream too”.

James received a map puzzle and ABC blocks for his third Christmas. He learned all 48 states and their capitols by age four. In the absence of pre-school and Kindergarten, his aunt Iphenia Shearer Brand prepared James and Cousin Naomi for elementary school in the first grade. They entered Red Ore Elementary School in the fall of 1940.

Red Ore School was a company school that the Woodward Iron Company built for the children of their Colored employees. It was built in approximately 1917, and was administered by the Jefferson County School Board. The white children attended Lipscomb Elementary School. James and Naomi walked the approximately 1.0 mile to school, rain, shine, sleet, or snow. James had a perfect attendance for the six years attending Red Ore.

The Woodward Mining Camp #2 was a community, south of Lipscomb, and consisted of approximately 25 families. The Tennessee Coal and Iron (TCI) railroad ran through the camp and separated the white and black families. The black families lived on the south side and the white on the north. All families’ heads worked in the ore mines, and were of similar economic status. The children played together without any thought of discrimination. This relationship lasted until the children entered high school, when all but two white friends, twins Bobby and Billy, drifted off to their friends of the same race.

During his formative years, James visited his Aunt and Uncle, Flora and William Robinson in Chicago. He would spend each summer from six years old through adulthood. His first trip was with his mother at the age of six. Subsequent years he would be tagged and travel to Chicago on the Seminole of the Illinois Central Railroad.

These trips were some of the most pleasant experiences of his young life. Traveling through the towns of NW Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana to Chicago were unique and educational. While in Chicago, James would work with his Uncle, who was the manager of a Shell Service station during the latter years of WWII. People would come to the station just to watch James pump gas and make change at the age of seven.

It was during these summers that James would attend shows at the Chicago, Regal, and other theaters, and also visits other attractions like the Brookfield Zoo, and travel to many Midwestern cities.

When in the second grade, James won a county wide essay sponsored by the Birmingham News. The subject was Patriotism that was conducted during the early years of WWII. The prize was a $25.00 savings bond.

James also had the lead part in a full-length play while in the second grade. He was dubbed the “Teacher’s Pet” and spent weekends with his teachers in the 1st, 2nd, and Third Grades.

When in the sixth and final year at Red Ore, new principal, Ms. Mabel Buffin was assigned. She had taught his mother at Wenonah School, and convinced her to send James to Riley Elementary School, instead of Sloss, where students were assigned after leaving Red Ore. James attended Riley Elementary in the seventh grade in 1946. It required him to ride the streetcar from Lipscomb to Riley. Ms. Buffin had been the principal at Wenonah School when it burned in 1944, and was aware that TCI would build a new Wenonah High and Elementary Schools. While at Riley, James attended school with students, including Uncle Isa Shearer that would have been attending Wenonah School. James was protective of Isa, who was sickly during his early years, and when the teacher, Ms. McCarter, asked him a question that appeared he did not know, James would answer the question. This got him in trouble on numerous occasions.

After leaving Riley, and promotion, students attended Wenonah Elementary in the 8th grade, which was still under construction, in the fall of 1947. The lower floor was completed and the classrooms were used for classes. Eight grade students from the Wenonah, Riley, and Hillman attended until the upper classrooms classes were complete.

In January 1948, the Wenonah High School was opened. Black students from all of western Jefferson County moved to the High School. James and other 9th grade students would move to the high school in the fall of 1948. James and other freshmen would start the first school band, which consisted of a clarinet, trombone, tuba and drums.

Wenonah did not have a gym and played basketball on a dirt court. The football team played games in the old Wenonah School yard, and played in the 1949 Birmingham Post Herald TB game which was the black Jefferson County Championship game. They played Immaculata Catholic School and the game ended in a 6–6 tie. The girls also won the AIAA Girls Basketball Championship game in the spring of 1949. James graduated from Wenonah if May 1952, with an A average. He was inducted into the Wenonah High School Hall of Fame, class of 2017.

After graduation from Wenonah, James attended the State Vocational and Trade School (Lawson State), for a year, majoring in Auto Mechanics. While at Lawson, he was voted the Wittiest boy.

Military Career

After Lawson, James entered the US Army in November 1953. He was sent to Ft Jackson SC for induction into the military. When entering the Army, James had his parent purchase the family's first car, 1954 Mercury, for $1,800.00. He had a $70.00 per month allotment made to father to pay the monthly payments. Considering he only made $110.00, this left $40.00 per month to live on. After induction, he was sent to Camp Gordon GA for 8 weeks basic training. The Platoon Sergeant was TSgt Geraux. After basic, he was sent across post for 8 weeks Military Police specialty training. First Sergeant was MSgt Shipp, who apparently transferred from a prior all Colored unit.

After graduation from Military Police School in April 1954, James was selected as one of 30 candidates for Military Police Leadership School, also conducted at Camp Gordon. He was one of 4 black candidates, and subsequent research, indicate that he was part of the Army's first attempt at integrating the armed services. In 1954, the Army completed integration in November with the deactivation of the last black unit in the command, the 94th Engineer Battalion.

The goal of the Leaders course was to prepare students for the physical and mental aspects of military leadership. The requirements for graduation, in addition to the academic aspects, were the requirement to complete the Leader Reaction Test (LRT), before graduation. This was a 20-mile hike with field packs, and each student was required to be squad leader at some time during the march. It was during this training and march that his early childhood experiences in the hills of Red Mountain made him a natural soldier. He was the square peg in a square hole. He also learned a lifetime trait of a good leader to “Set the example”. The Company Commander was Capt. Phieffer, who was a member Merrill Marauders, famous for their WWII Philippines operation.

After graduation from Leadership School in June 1954, James and ten other graduates were put on orders to Korea. They traveled to Ft Lewis Washington on group travel orders, which consisted of a special troop car that was attached to a train from Augusta GA to Chicago IL., and on to Seattle WA. While in Chicago, James invited his fellow travelers to visit his Aunt Flora.

In Chicago, the troop car was attached to a luxury train on the Milwaukee Road, from Chicago to Seattle Washington. This was a three-day trip through Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Montana and Idaho. They were given access to all the amenities such as the club and observation cars.

When arriving in Washington, the group had a day before reporting to the port of debarkation in Tacoma Washington. They decided they would do some sightseeing before reporting. When visiting a bar for drinks and food, the manager told the group that they could not serve the four blacks in the group. After letting the manager know how they felt about the situation, the whole group of southern boys, black and white walked out.

They reported to the Ft Lewis WA port of debarkation in July 1954, and boarded the USS General Meigs, for the two week trip to Inchon Korea. He crossed the International Date Line on his 20th birthday on July 18, 1954. So technically he had two 20th birthdays that year. Some of his ship mates on the trip over were, blues singer Lloyd Price and major league baseball player Marvin Thornberry.

The group arrived at Inchon Korea, the land of the morning calm, port of embarkation, in July 1954. The group was assigned to different Military Police (MP) units in Korea. James was assigned to the gas pipeline security group attached to A Company of the 728th MP Bn. A Company was stationed in Yong Dong Po, a suburb of Seoul Korea between Seoul and Inchon. Their primary assignment was to protect gas going from the ships in Inchon to the front line at the DMZ. James made the rank of PFC while assigned to A Company. On the first night in Korea, there was an alert because a North Korea fighter aircraft had crossed the 38th Parallel. This was a frequent occurrence, and all the old personnel knew which fox holes they were assigned. All he could remember was praying “I just got here and the war has started again”.

In January 1955, James was reassigned to B Company of the 728th MP Bn. At 8th Army Headquarters in Seoul Korea. It was while stationed in B Company, that a guard fired his M2, carbine on automatic, at a group stealing gas from the pipeline. There were casualties, and he was transferred the next day. During his Korean assignment, James was awarded a week Rest and Recuperation (R&R) in Yokohoma Japan. This time was spent learning the Japanese culture, which was only 9 years post WWII surrender.

In September 1954, James was transferred to the 7th Infantry Division, 32nd Regiment at Camp Casey on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). He was promoted to Corporal and was assigned as Squad Leader of the 1st Squad. TSgt Rodriquez was the Platoon Leader.

In November 1956, after 16 months, James received his orders to leave Korea reported to the Inchon port of debarkation, where he boarded the USS General Howze for the trip to Ft Lewis Washington. After a stop in Yokohoma Japan, where approximately 10 passengers missed the scheduled departure, it arrived in Ft Lewis two weeks later. When arriving at Ft Lewis WA on 17 November 1955, there was a rush to get home by the returning passengers. He attempted to get an airline ticket, but all the airlines were sold out. Later that night at 11:59 pm, an Peninsular Douglas C 54, with a crew of four, and 70 passengers, crashed on takeoff from Seattle to Newark NJ. There were 28 casualties, one crewmember and 27 military personnel, just off the ship from Korea.

James was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, 18th Infantry, K Company as Squad Leader in the 1st Platoon, at Ft Riley, Kansas. His squad consisted of soldiers from Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Upper Michigan peninsula.

In March, the second battalion of the 18th Regiment deployed to Camp Hale (Leadville) Colorado for Operation Loadstar Baker. The purpose of the exercise was to take Ski and Cold Weather training at the Army's Mountain Training Facility. While at Camp Hale, the squad spent two weeks at the base camp, becoming acclimatized to the altitude of approximately 8,000 feet. After the two weeks of base camp orientation, the squad received ski training, and spent the last three weeks, operating above timberline at above 11,000 feet. . The weather would get a low as 20 degrees below zero at night. Boots and sock had to be kept in the thermal sleeping bag at night to prevent freezing. During this exercise, his squad was selected to scale the back of the mountain, ascending about 400 feet to the top of the mountain where the Special Force aggressors were facing forward expecting a frontal attack.

After returning to Ft Riley, Kansas, James attended the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Academy. While there, the preparation received at Wenonah High School, enabled him to compete with some of the best students from across the country. The course consisted of military leadership training of sixteen weeks of intense training. At the end of each week, students were tested and their score was cumulative, with the student with the highest score being the Honor Graduate.

James finished with a composite score of 1560 of 1700 possible points (93%), and 86 of 100 points of the Cadre and Student Evaluation. It was thought that the Cadre Evaluation was rigged to have James and another student in a tie when the student evaluation was accomplished. James was leading by 4 points prior to the Cadre evaluation. He received ten more points on the student evaluation. The student evaluation resulted in James receiving the Honor Graduate Award. The reason for the high student evaluation was due to him interacting with other students during weekend practice sessions. It also was a life lesson, concerning the fairness of individuals, because 20 of the 24 students were white. He received the 1st Infantry Division's Certificate of Achievement for his performance at the Academy.

In November 1956, James was discharged from the Army and assigned to the Army Reserve for the duration of his 8-year obligation.

When his 8-year obligation ended in 1961, he joined the Air Force Reserve as a medical technician of the 35th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. The 35th was located on 401 Tuscaloosa Avenue, Birmingham, and was flying C 119 aircraft assigned to the 908th Airlift Wing at Brookley AFB, Alabama. Subsequent aircraft flown were the C 123, and C 124. He deployed on numerous Aeromedical Missions to Germany, Japan, and many bases in the United States.

In 1965, the unit moved to the Birmingham Municipal Airport, and he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was promoted to Flight Instructor for enlisted medical crewmembers. He was promoted to Technical Sergeant, and upgraded to Flight Examiner in 1968.

In 1968, he was promoted to Master Sergeant, and assigned to Standardization/Evaluation Flight Examiner, responsible for training and evaluation of all enlisted medical crewmembers.

In May 1969, Master Sergeant (MSgt) Carden completed from the Medical Service Technician Course, at Sheppard AFB, Texas. This training prepared him to perform medical service on independent duty. His performance at Sheppard resulted in him being named an Honor Graduate, with a composite average score of 94% on weekly test.

After completion of this course, James was recruited by University of Alabama - Birmingham (UAB) to participate in a program being developed, that was entitled MEDEX. The program was the precursor to developing the Physician Assistant program. Mission was to locate to underserve rural areas with limited access to medical care. He accepted, but reconsidered after determining that his future with the Postal Service was likely to be more successful.

In June 1971, James attended the Air Force Military Airlift Command (MAC) Leadership Academy at Norton AFB, CA. Basic Air Force Leadership Course.

In September 1971, MSgt Carden deployed to Yokota AB, Japan, to assist the active duty forces in the increased Aeromedical Evacuation missions, transporting drug abuse patients from Viet-nam to the United States. MSgt Carden was required to qualify in the C 141 military transport, to accomplish this mission. The missions consisted of flights from Yokota AB to Travis AFB (San Francisco) CA. The next day the crew would board the mission coming in that day, and fly across county, stopping at various Air Force bases, and terminating at Andrews AFB (Washington DC) MD. After crew rest, the crew would fly back to Japan non-stop commercially across the North Pole.

In 1972, James was offered a full-time Air Reserve Technician (ART), Medical Technician in the 35th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (35th AES). The job was accepted, but the tuned down after rumors circulated that the unit would be moved to Charleston AFB, SC.

In 1983, MSgt Carden received the USAF award for “Outstanding Reserve Medical Airman Assigned to an Aeromedical Evacuation Unit”. He was presented the Award and the Air Force Commendation Medal at Kessler AFB MS.

In January 1991, Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Carden, and the 35th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, deployed to RAF Mildenhall UK, as support for Desert Storm. The 35th AES deployed 21 Aeromedical Evacuation Crews to transport casualties incurred in Iraq. SMSgt Carden was the senior enlisted NCO. After returning to Maxwell AFB, after the conclusion of Desert Storm, SMSgt Carden was recommended for promotion the Chief Master Sergeant (E-9), but was discharged prior to completion of the paper work.

Aeromedical Missions were flown to the following countries; Korea, Japan, Canada, Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, Azores, Scotland, Germany, Crete, France, England, Spain, Italy, Greece, Sicily, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya; Hawaii, Alaska, and most states in the Continental United States. Also flew over the “Rock of Gibraltar” and Vesuvius. Visited the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens Greece, and the Coliseum in Rome.

Due to the program High Year Tenure, SMSgt Carden was required to retire from the active reserve in April 1992. This concluded 38.5 years of military service.

Veterans Administration Hospital – Birmingham AL

After separation from the army in 1956, James took the civil service exams for the Veterans Administration Hospital and the US Postal Service Clerk exam. He passed both exams, and the Veterans Administration (VA) called first. He started work as a Nursing Assistant in April 1957.

During his tenure at the VA Hospital, James received Superior Performance Awards in 1961 and 1962. He was promoted to GS 5 and assigned to the VA Psychiatric Ward in October 1960.

After applying, and not being selected for a vacant security position at the VA Hospital, James felt he was more than qualified due to his training and experience as a military policeman. He decided to transfer to the US Postal Service as a Distributions Clerk in October 1963.

United States Postal Service

James transferred to the US Postal Service as a Distributions Clerk in October 1963. He was assigned to the Terminal Station Annex as a Sub-clerk during Christmas 1963. After being employed at the Postal Service for two months, James and two other clerks were assigned to the Chatt-Meridian Mail Car, to make the run to Meridian MS. Written instructions were given on where to “catch” and deploy mail pouches. The first action was Bessemer AL. The train was traveling about 60 miles per hour when we approached Bessemer. Not sure if they ever found that mail pouch.

In 1964, James was assigned to Tour One (Night Shift) distributing mail for dispatch to surrounding post offices. From 1964–1972, he received three Superior Performance Awards.

In 1974, James was assigned as an acting supervisor, and received a promotion as a Letter Sorting Machine (LSM) Supervisor in 1975.

In May 1975, James completed the requirements of an associate degree in Business Administration from Lawson State Community College.

In August 1978, James was assigned as Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the Oneonta Post Office. He served as OIC for a year. He was promoted to Supt, Postal Operations at the Fairfield Post Office. In 1979, while assigned to the Fairfield Post Office, James was detailed to Manager, McFarland Station in Tuscaloosa.

In 1980, James attended the Superintendent, Postal Operation Management Course in Memphis TN. He was awarded the Christopher Columbus Award; “The Greatest Manager of them All. Did not know where he was going; did not know where he was when he got there; did not know where he had been when he got back”.

In June 1982, James was promoted to Manager, West End Stations, and detailed to the Manager, Green Springs Carrier Facility.

In December 1982, James was promoted to the position Manager, Delivery and Collections for the Birmingham AL Management Section Center. He served in this position until June 1986, when his position was abolished during postal reorganization. During this time, from 1983 to 1984, he serviced as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Anniston Post Office. This postmaster position was open due to the murder of Postmaster, Oscar Johnson by a disgruntled employee.

In 1982, James was nominated for the Postal Career Executive Service (PCES). This was for the top executive positions in the USPS. This process (interview) was held at Postal Headquarters in Washington DC. All the other candidates were graduates of either the Wharton School of Business or the Duke University School of Management.

After reorganization in 1986, James was reassigned to the lateral position on Manager, Fleet Operations. Fleet Operations was responsible for the maintenance of approximately 2000 vehicle in the Alabama Division.

In 1988, James was promoted to his final postal position, Director, City Operations for the Macon GA Management Sectional Center (MSC), responsible for the postal operations in approximately 210 post office in South Georgia.

In June 1990, James retired from the post office at the age of 55.

Consultant Career

From June 1994 until October 1998, James was contracted as an Annuitant Consultant with the Alabama District, Delivery Operations office. During this time he was the leader of eight postal retirees, who performed city route inspections over the entire state of Alabama. He also assisted with other postal delivery operation programs.

In October 1998, James was contracted as a consultant with Anderson Consulting, later Accenture Consulting. His contractual duties were to assist Andersen personnel in designing, development, deployment, and training of the Delivery Operations Information System (DOIS) for city carrier operations.

This required a commute to Washington DC weekly from 1998 to 2006, leaving on Monday and returning home Thursday. After the system was deployed, it was his responsibility to travel to every area in the county to train users.

References

• Oral History - James E Carden, Jr

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