Jim Glines was born and raised in Grand Island. He graduated from Grand Island Senior High in May of 1963 and enlisted with the United States Navy in October 1963. Jim was in San Deigo, CA for Boot Camp and then attended A School in Great Lakes, IL for BTA (boiler tender). Following A School, he was stationed aboard the Destroyer USS Taylor DD468 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
In May 1964, while on leave, he married his high school sweetheart, Carmen. She joined him in Hawaii in April 1965, where they lived until Jim was discharged in September 1967. Jim did three tours in Vietnam, crossed the equator, and operated in many places overseas, such as Japan, China, Philippines, Samoa, and Vietnam. The USS Taylor was one of the oldest ships in the fleet. It was the first ship in Toyoko Bay after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Jim would be in Hawaii for 9 months and at sea for 6 months at a time. Jim worked aboard the ship as a pipefitter, maintaining the ship.
Jim received Vietnam Service medal, Good Conduct medal, Vietnam Expeditionary medal, National Defense medal, Armed Service Expeditionary medal, and Vietnam Campaign medal. After 4 years, Jim was honorably discharged in September 1967.
After the Navy, Jim and Carmen moved back to Grand Island. Jim worked different jobs using the skills he learned in the Navy. He ultimately retired from Northwest High School as the Head of Maintenance. Jim and Carmen had two children, Kelli and Jake, 5 grandchildren Alexandra Hansen, Wyatt Eriksen, Jacob, Trey, and Braxton Glines and 3 great grandchildren.
Jim enjoyed teaching his grandchildren archery and shooting, attending their events, and sharing his Navy stories. Jim’s grandson, Trey, followed in his footsteps and is currently serving in the Navy as a petty officer third class with the military police and is stationed in Italy. Jim is very proud of his military service and flies his US flag daily. If the navy accepted 80-year-old sailors, Jim would be the first in line!
