James D. Thacker PhD

Dr. Thacker is a native son of Pennsylvania and was born in Palmerton. He voluntarily entered military service during the Vietnam era (1969) and was a graduate of the U.S. Third Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy. As a Team Medical Sergeant in the U.S. Army Special Forces (1970-1975), he served in the 10th SFG, 5th SFG, A362/B36 USARVITG in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Iran (A535 5th SFG) and was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, the Cambodian National Defense Medal, Cambodian Parachute Badge, and Iranian Parachute Badge as well as Citations from the governments of Cambodia and Iran.

He was a medical instructor at the JFKSWCS/Medical Branch and the USAIMA. At the USAIMA he developed a block of instruction (Medical Aspects of Guerrilla Warfare) for NATO officers and was named the USAIMA Honor Instructor (1974). He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army (1975) after six years of distinguished service to the United States.