James A. Tuttle

James Arthur Tuttle, Oconomowoc, aged 94, died at Angels Grace Hospice on April 15, 2017 of pneumonia, after a one week illness. He was a member of St.Jerome Catholic Church. Jim was born on October 4, 1922 in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin. He moved with his family to Oconomowoc, upon the death of his father, Arthur Chaffee Tuttle in 1936. Jim graduated from Oconomowoc High School in 1940, after which he enlisted and served in the Wisconsin National Guard and the US Army from 1940– 1945 in Company G, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, achieving the highest rank of sergeant. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. During World War II, the Division was credited with many firsts. It was the first United States division to deploy as an entire unit overseas and among the first of seven U.S. Army and U.S. Marine units to engage in offensive ground combat operations during1942. The division was among the first divisions to enter the war and was still engaging Japanese soldiers after the Armistice was declared. The 32nd logged a total of 654 days of combat during World War II, more than any other United States Army division. It fought in the in the Papuan Campaign at the battles of Buna-Gona, Sanananda and the Driniumor River and at the battles of the upper Ormoc Valley (Leyte) and Luzon in the Philippines. Jim attended the National World War II Memorial Dedication in May of 2004 and was photographed with President William Clinton. He was interviewed for the Veterans History Project on the National Mall in Washington, DC during the National World War II Reunion: Tribute to a Generation, May 27-30, 2004. His interview can be found at: James Tuttle Collection (AFC/2001/001/14439), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. Jim was invited to be a Veteran Panelist for the Nimitz World War II Symposium “Closing the Circle: Retaking of the Philippines and The Battle of Iwo Jima” held at the Museum of the Pacific War, Frederiksberg, Texas, September 20-12, 2008. The National Museum of the Pacific War noted it was “ honored to present this symposium on the Philippines and Iwo Jima, two of the most fascinating aspects of World War II. Even after a series of important victories by the Allies in 1944, the Japanese still showed no signs of capitulation. Thus, Allied Commanders decided to move ahead on two key goals: the long awaited return to the Philippines and the need to recapture Iwo Jima.” Jim was also a featured speaker, along with his dear friend and the other surviving member of Company G, Carl Patrinos, at the Dr. Harold C. Deutsch World War II History Roundtable, March 2010 at the History Center at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. They spoke on the New Guinea Campaign. The Roundtable is committed to preserving the factual history of World War II, through the input of historians, and first-hand accounts from individuals. In 2014 Jim was invited to speak at the Senior Leadership Conference of the Wisconsin National Guard and was awarded a medal in recognition of his service to his country by Major General Donald Dunbar, Wisconsin’s Adjutant General. After the war, Jim returned to Oconomowoc in August of 1945 and married Jane Dallman on September 1, 1945. They remained married until Jane’s death on November 14, 2008. They had three daughters, Robin (1946), Candace (1948) and Jill (1950). Jim was active in the Jaycees and was a founding member of the Oconomowoc chapter of Toastmasters. He served as an alderman on the Oconomowc City Council for the 1948-50 term. He served as the commander of VFW post 2260 from 1949-51, Jim was an exceptional salesman, beginning in sales for the Businessman’s Assurance Company. He remembered his years selling life and group health insurance in this way: “I used to go to a creamery or cheesemaker and offer a group health plan for dairy farmers for as few as five farmers. Plans were $4.40, $5.50 and $6.60 a month and e.g., provided for $3.00, $5.00 and $7.00 daily for hospital costs, up to 30 days.” He continued in sales throughout this long career, last representing the Thomas D. Murphy Company of Red Oak, Iowa, in selling calendars and other promotional items. He was honored in 2014 as it oldest active salesman. Jim is survived by his three daughters, Robin, Candace and Jill; his two sons-in-law, Topper Enters and Bill Timberlake, his sister-in law, Phyllis Sanger; six grandchildren: Bart Bastian (Natacha Munilla); Caitlin Tuttle; Heather Neilson Rodriguez (Robert Rodriquez); Claire Enters; Travis Timberlake (Jessica Malone); Jennifer Timberlake (Jason Caballero); six great-grandchildren and dear nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by: his wife, Jane Dallman Tuttle; his parents, Arthur Tuttle and Clara Boehler Tuttle; his sister Mary Birdener, and his brothers, Emery Tuttle and Daniel Tuttle. A memorial service will be held at St. Jerome Catholic Church (995 Silver Lake Street Oconomowoc) on Friday, April 28 at 3 pm. Family and friends may call upon the family starting at 2 pm. Donations to Jim’s memory may be made, with the appreciation of his family, to Angels Grace Hospice, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; the Johnson Creek, Wisconsin Historical Society; or a military or veterans service organization.