BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES B. THAYER, SENIOR
Thayer was as a member of the 71st Infantry Division in World War II. They deployed to the European Theater in February 1945, advancing from Alsace-Lorraine to crossing the Rhine River, then taking Coburg (April 11), Bayreuth (April 14-16), and Regensburg (April 27). On May 4, 1945, the 71st Infantry Division liberated a corpse-littered concentration camp called Gunskirchen. Some 15,000 prisoners were still in the camp, primarily Jews from Hungary.
Major Military Awards and Decorations:
- Silver Star Medal
- Bronze Star Medal
- Combat Infantry Badge
- Oregon National Guard Exceptional Service Medal
- Oregon National Guard Distinguished Service Award
- Department of Defense Seven Seals Award
- National Guard Association of the United States “Patrick Henry” Citation
- Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service
- Army Engineer Association Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal for Inspirational Leadership
- Association of the United States Army Award for Distinguished Service
- Oregon National Guard Commendation Medal for Outstanding Service
Additional Career Achievements:
- Civilian Aide to the United States Secretary of the Army
- Director, Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission
- Vice President, Association of the United States Army, Oregon
- Life Member, Board of Trustees, Oregon Graduate Institute for Science and Technology
- Member, Board of Stewards, Washington County Historical Society
- Honorary Council, Oregon Historical Society
- Honorary Colonel, 14th Infantry Regiment
