Capt James Ayers, on his third tour to Vietnam, was killed in action on Friday May 26, 1967during Operation Union II. He was serving as the Communications Platoon Commander, Headquarters and Service Company, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, First Marine Division in Quang Tin, Republic of Vietnam. His name appears on Panel 20E, Row 110 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Capt Ayers is buried about 300 yards from his parents’ house where he was born on Sugar Hill Road, Moncks Corner, SC.
Capt James Westley Ayers was born 31 October 1934 in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. He was the eighth of nine children, only two of which were girls. He played first team varsity football and was a class officer during his senior year at Berkeley High School, class of 1952. Capt Ayers, while in High School, coaxed several boys to join the Glee Club, adding they needed male voices and “to broaden their cultural experience.” The high school class was small and most of the students had grown up together. Many knew Capt Ayers and considered him a good person.
In the fall of 1952 Capt Ayers became a cadet at The Citadel. On campus he was known to go for daily runs no matter the weather and he also did well academically. While a junior he able to make high enough grades to earn “Gold Stars” for his blouse. His leadership traits began to show as he started mentoring and tutoring freshman, as they struggled with academics and “Plebe” duties. Growing debt caused Capt Ayers to change his major from Pre-Med to Political Science. He graduated college in 1957.
On April 5, 1957, after graduation, Capt Ayers joined the United States Marine Corps and on January 13, 1958, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. After being his commissioned, Capt Ayers received training as a communication officer (MOS 2502). On July 1, 1962, he was promoted to Captain and in 1966 he was selected for Major.
Capt Ayers served as Officer in Charge of the 2d Radio Company Detachment at the Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He also served as the first Commanding Officer of Company K, Marine Support Battalion onboard NCTC (NTTC/CID Unit) Corry in Pensacola, Florida and as the Commanding Officer of Company H, Marine Support Battalion, Homestead, Florida.
Capt James Ayers would have been 81 years old today. He is the highest ranking Naval SIGINT officer to be killed in action.
Station HYPO 
20 August 2017 at 15:27
Jim and I were tent-mates at our 3/5 battalion field headquarters on the Chu Lai defensive perimeter in early 1967. Jim was battalion communications officer and I was battalion operations officer. When we deployed on Operation Union II on 26 May Jim and I worked together coordinating artillery fire support, close air support, helicopter casualty evacuations, and tactical communications with our rifle companies. We came under heavy enemy mortar and small arms fire as soon as we landed in the Que Son Valley. Just before dark I was wounded in the face and neck by mortar shrapnel and evacuated back to B Med in Chu Lai. Before my evacuation I gave Jim my map, compass, belt ammunition, and binoculars. Later that night Jim was killed by enemy mortar fire and our commanding officer, Lt Col Dean Esslinger was wounded in one eye. It was a rough night but we managed to outflank and over-run the enemy positions by dawn. All of my memories of Jim are good. Both personally and professionally Jim was of high character, cool under pressure, and courageous in battle. I am proud to have served with him. Earl Piper, Colonel, US Marine Corps (retired).
LikeLike
5 January 2021 at 21:59
Captain Ayers was my commanding officer when I was assigned to Radio Platoon 3rd Bn 5th Marines. After the conclusion of Operation Union as the FAC with Kilo Co. The Bn was at the FOB in Tam Ky. Captain Ayers spoke to me and told me that the Bn was moving out to continue the fight (Operation Union ll) in pursuit of the 2nd NVA Bn. He told me to remain at Tam Ky with Kilo Co who were security/reserve. He was aware that I was due to rotate back to CONUS. I held my hand out, we shook hands.That was the last time that I saw the Captain alive as he was killed later that day (by mortar fire) after being inserted by helicopter into the LZ at the beginning of the operation. The very next day the Kia’s were being evacuated to Tam Ky. I was tasked to carry them (38 Marines) off the helicopter’s. We put them on mules and brought them over to a tent for processing. All were tagged. I tried to avoid reading the names as I knew many in our Bn. Walking back across the LZ I noticed a dog tag on the ground. I picked it up, it belonged to Captain Ayers. I was stunned. What an absolutely wonderful guy. That day was my birthday, I was 20 years old. That day and every birthday since I think of all the guys I served with in Vietnam who did not return but the one who stands out is Captain Ayers.
Without a doubt the finest Marine Officer that I have ever met.
Semper Fidelis.
LikeLike
5 January 2021 at 23:56
Dear Mr. Bailey,
Please check your email.
Sincerely,
Mario Vulcano
LikeLike
7 December 2021 at 23:45
Thank you for the update on my Uncle JW. He was very close to my dad as he was #8 and my dad was #7 in the Ayers family.
Sandra Ayers Sughrue
LikeLike
21 March 2022 at 23:10
I met Capt. Ayers when he was a Lt. at 2nd Composite Radio Company in 1961, I was a 2571, later a Spanish Linguist. I served under Capt. Ayers at Camp Geiger,Guantanamo Bay, and Key West Fla. Lots of memories of the kind person he was. He loved to hang around and go drinking with the enlisted men. He would take Cpl. George Salinas and I drinking, sometimes take us to the Officer’s Club to eat, of course in the kitchen. When he got transferred to Key West, we followed him there. It was a long trip from North Carolina to Florida so he arranged for us to stop and sleep overnight at his home in South Carolina. His mother had a hot meal ready when we arrived. As soon as we got to Key West, he promoted me to Corporal which was long overdue, he knew the problem I had with my previous commanding officer. Ay Guantanamo, he was known for his afternoon jogs, everybody fall for jogging. We always finished at the hut where they sold beer, everybody have a Heineken on Capt. Ayers. He knew my nickname was “Fluffy” and it’s funny now(I am actually tearing as I write this), that every time he would talk to me, he start out by saying, “Fluffy”, never addressed me by any other name or title. May you RIP, Captain.
LikeLike