James Lester Cargle served in the Vietnam War but was later transferred to the Holy Loch United States Naval Base. He was called Lester as a child but for reasons of his own preferred to be known as Tony following his removal to Scotland.

James Lester Cargle married Dorothy Costagliola Genelli on 20^th December 1973 at the Registration Office, Dunoon. His occupation was entered as welder, United States Navy. He was a bachelor and his date of birth was entered as 9^th April 1946, birthplace United States. His usual residence was given as General Delivery, Verda, Kentucky, U.S.A.

The witnesses were Curtis Carl Young, of N82 Robertson Place, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S.A. and Isabella McCaffrey, of the Malborough Hotel, Hunters Quay.

The following citation relates to an incident occurring in late September 1975:

COMMANDER SECOND FLEET       The Secretary of the Navy takes pride in presenting the NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to HULL TECHNICIAN SECOND CLASS JAMES LESTER CARGLE UNITED STATES NAVY For service as set forth in the following CITATION       “For extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty while acting as a nozzleman on the First Hose Team, entering the confines of a major oil fire in the Number Two Fireroom in USS ALBANY (CG 10), at sea, in transit to Northern Europe as part of Task Group TWO ONE PT SIX, on 29 September 1975. Upon sounding of the fire alarm, Hull Technician Second Class CARGLE responded without hesitation, arriving at the scene immediately. Although the area was filled with dense smoke and intense heat, without regard for his own personal safety, Petty Officer CARGLE, leading the First Hose Team, entered the constricted space fighting the raging fire down two levels into the space. Petty Officer CARGLE fought the fire with the knowledge of a possible boiler explosion exist- ing in the space. Petty Officer CARGLE left the scene of the fire only long enough to change his Oxygen Breathing Apparatus cannister returning immediately to his nozzleman position fighting the fire until it was under control. By his personal courage, instant response and outstanding devotion to duty, he significantly contributed to the control and containment of the fire which made it possible for the USS ALBANY to continue her mission as Flagship for Commander SECOND Fleet and in so doing, Petty Officer CARGLE upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”                                For the Secretary of the Navy                                           J. J. SHANAHAN                                     Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy

James Lester Cargle married Lorna Fé McIntyre on 15^th May 1981 at the Registration Office, District of Port Glasgow. Again entered as born on 9^th April 1946 and divorced, he was designated ‘Welder - United States Navy (retired)’.

Both parties were entered as normally resident at Dunrowan, Middlepenny Road, Langbank.

The witnesses were Lucy McIntyre, the bride’s sister, also of Dunrowan, Middlepenny Road, Langbank, and Alison M. McKellar, of Conveth Farm, Lochwinnoch.

The Registrar made a declaration to the effect that James Lester Cargle had made his mark in her presence. James was unable to write his own name because he was terminally ill with Motor Neuron Disease (MND), the condition which, less than five years later, would claim his life.

James Lester Cargle died on 10^th February 1986, in the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow.

Forebears

At the time of his marriage to Dorothy Costagliola Genelli in 1973, James Lester Cargle’s parents were entered as Samuel Cargle and Odessa Cargle MS Hopkins.

When he married Lorna Fé McIntyre in 1981, his father was identified as Samuel Leroy Cargle and his mother once again as Odessa Cargle MS Hopkins.

James Lester Cargle almost certaily had no direct memory of his father, who was shot dead when James was just short of six months old.

Brothers and Sisters

When Jess Dillard stood trial for the murder of Samuel Leroy Cargle in 1946, prosecuting counsel drew attention to the presence in court of ‘a widow and four little orphans’. There were in fact five. Odessa Cargle’s 1991 obituary stated that she was ‘survived by four children, Horace Cargle, Hardinsburg; Robert Cargle and Diana Cargle, both of Verda; Charles Cargle, Louisville’. James, the youngest, had of course died in the meantime.

Robert Lee Cargle, born 8^th May 1937, at Leeds, Alabama, died on 11^th October 2011, in Kentucky, aged 74.