IHLI JAMES H

CPT James "Jim" H. Ihli was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 03/29/2010 at the age of 68.3 from Cancer
Melba, ID
Flight Class 67-8
Date of Birth 12/22/1941
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 254 MED DET in 67-68
Call sign in Vietnam DUSTOFF
This information was provided by John Flanagan

More detail on this person: James H Ihli, 68, of Boise, passed away Monday, March 29 at the VA hospital in Boise.

Cremation arrangements are being handled by Summers Funeral Home. A Military Memorial service will be held at the Veterans Cemetery in Boise at 1:00 Tuesday, April 6. A lunch and reception will follow at the Melba Senior Citizens Hall. All are invited to attend and share memories of Jim.

Jim was born Dec 22, 1941 in Caldwell to Nick & Minnie (Barnes) Ihli. He grew up in the Owyhee's and Canyon County. He went to school in Opaline, Murphy, and Grandview and graduated from Melba in 1960. He attended New Mexico Military Institute on a ROTC scholarship where he also played football. He graduated from Idaho State University in 1965. He entered the Army in March of 1966. He spent 5 years in the service and 19 months of that in Vietnam as a US Army Medical Evacuation Helicopter pilot. He served with the 254th Medical Detachment. For heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, Jim earned The Distinguished Flying Cross. This is an amazing record of dedication to recover our wounded soldiers in the field under fire. In addition, Jim was awarded The Air Medal with 29 Oak Leaf Clusters. The air medal definition is -person shall have distinguished himself be meritorious achievement while in aerial flight or acts of heroism. After Jim returned home, he owned the Glenwood Bar, 44 Club, and a ranch in the foothills of Mountain Home. He worked for the Boise city Parks and Recreation until he retired in January, 2007.

He had a great love of the outdoors and looked forward to the summer fishing trip at Juniper Creek and deer hunting in Silver city. Jim had a heart of gold. He was always willing to help someone in need financially or just be there as a friend. The courage Jim displayed during his life was notable. The numerous missions he flew in Vietnam as a Medivac pilot continuously put him in harms way. The last 20 years of his life were difficult at times while he battled cancer. In all things, his ability to continue to fight for life everyday was remarkable. He will not be forgotten.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nick Ihli and Minnie (Barnes) Ihli and his brother, Charles Ihli. He is survived by his 2 brothers; Nick (Delores) Ihli and Mike (Linda) Ihli and 4 sisters; Florine (Sam) Rodich of California, Mary Ann (Jack) Haines of Caldwell, Jane (Bob) Merrick of Nampa, Sr. Jean Ihli of St. Gertrudes in Cottonwood, and 1 sister-in-law; Dorothy Ihli of Caldwell, and many nieces and nephews and their families and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim's memory may be made to your favorite charity.

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024


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