Born November 23, 1923, in Chittenango, New York, to William John Argersinger and Elizabeth Mary Hosley Argersinger, J.B. spent his high school years playing basketball and working on his family dairy farm. Upon graduating high school, he left the Falls of Chittenango and volunteered for the Army. He completed his basic training in 1943. Studies in the field of meteorology led to a commission in June of 1944. His life-long military career had begun and WWII found him serving his country in the China-Burma-India Theater. Upon completion of his tour, he was assigned aerial weather duty in B-29's flying over the North Pacific, the Aleutians and the North Pole. Continued training in the field of navigation led to nine years flying B-36's and B-52's as a wing staff officer in the Strategic Air Command (SAC). After attending Command & Staff College, duty called him to serve four years in the Pentagon as the Secretary for Joints Chiefs of Staff (JSC). Desiring to further his education, he obtained a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland. He was then named Commander of a civil engineering squadron and spent three years in Misawa, Japan. This assignment was followed by duty at Headquarters Tactical Air Command (TAC) and 12th Air Force. He then served a tour in Vietnam and completed his military career at Air Training Command (ATC).
J.B. received numerous military citations, including the Legion of Merit (twice), the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Vietnamese Honor Medal First Class while serving his country.
Retirement years were spent in Austin, Texas, enjoying his family, crossword puzzles and woodworking.
J.B. is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Flo Rae, and five of their six children: Rose Ann Curtis, Colleen Argersinger, Raymond Argersinger, Leo Argersinger and Kitty Mellenbruch, along with their spouses. His numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren will greatly miss their "PawPaw" as well as his sisters, Rosemary Conant and Ann Zinn, both of Chittenango, New York.
He was preceded in death by his son, James B. (Jim) Argersinger, Jr. and his granddaughter, Amy Argersinger.
Retired Colonel James B. Argersinger will be buried with full military honors at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, on Friday, September 6, 2013 at 11:45 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like contributions to be made in J.B.’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.com.
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