James R. Boland was born on March 2, 1944 to Mrs. George Boland of West Orange. His home of record is West Orange, NJ. He had three brothers, George Jr., John and Joseph and two sisters, Carol and Mrs. Charles Heller.

James attended Our Lady of Lourdes grammar school and was a 1961 graduate of West Orange High School. His high school yearbook reads:
“Jim”…quiet…easy-going…bothered by girls who pass through the cafeteria line…ejaculates “Better luck next time!”…participates in various sports…favorite part of the school day is spent in speech II…accompanied by Stu Biss…ambition is to own his own mechanic shop…will serve “Uncle Sam” after graduation. CYO 2, 3, 4

Boland was drafted on June 14, 1965. He received basic training at Fort Dix and Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Boland served in the US Army and attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC) with the 1st Infantry as a Medic.

After being in Vietnam for only two week, Boland was killed in action on February 24, 1966. He is buried in Saint John’s Catholic Cemetery in Orange, NJ.

Sources: Dan O’Leary (family member) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024