<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3Q06Rf_0wPMMHzj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Q06Rf_0wPMMHzj00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>New York Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Jack James receives his new rank from family friend Lisa Dicandido, left, and his wife, Lesia, during promotion ceremonies Oct. 19 at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill, New York. James, a Palm Harbor resident, is taking command of the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Gunther</figcaption></figure>PEEKSKILL, N.Y. — Jack James, a Palm Harbor resident, was promoted to the two-star rank of Maj. Gen. in the New York Army National Guard during an Oct. 19 ceremony at Camp Smith’s training site.James, a 1992 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, has been named the new commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, one of eight divisions in the Army National Guard.The 42nd Infantry Division consists of 5,400 Soldiers in the New York Army National Guard and 10,000 soldiers from other state National Guards. The division is headquartered in Troy, New York, near Albany.James formerly served as the commander of the New York Army National Guard's 53rd Troop Command. He turned over command of that unit to Brig. Gen. Isabel Rivera Smith prior to his promotion ceremony.Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, praised James as an outstanding commander."Achieving major general is a huge accomplishment for anyone," Shields said. "It denotes a high degree of trust and confidence in the abilities, leadership and moral character of the individual."In his remarks, James emphasized that he could not have achieved his rank and division commander position without the support of peers and subordinates in the Army and the support of his family."Today is not about me, it's about us; I would not be here without each and all of you," he said. "This is a responsibility, a privilege, and a real honor that I am so grateful to all of you for.”In June 2001, James left the active Army after deployments to Haiti and the Balkans and was starting a civilian career. But on Sept. 11, 2001, he watched the attacks on New York City and resolved to join the New York Army National Guard.James is an Army aviator who has served in a number of leadership and staff positions during his career.He has led American soldiers at the platoon, troop, battalion, brigade and general officer levels.He has served as an attack helicopter platoon leader, attack helicopter troop commander, battalion operations officer, battalion executive officer, brigade operations officer, and battalion commander.He led the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade from 2014 to 2019, thereafter serving as Commanding General, 53rd Troop Command and then Deputy Commander, 42nd Infantry Division prior to returning once again to command the 53rd Troop Command.In addition to his overseas service, James has participated in responses to numerous domestic emergencies including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy and others.In his civilian career, James serves as a Vice President at New York Life Insurance Co.</div></body>

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Palm Harbor resident promoted to major general

PEEKSKILL, N.Y. — Jack James, a Palm Harbor resident, was promoted to the two-star rank of Maj. Gen. in the New York Army National Guard during an Oct. 19 ceremony at Camp Smith’s training site. James, a 1992 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point,...