SWR-TX-441 Granbury Composite
Main Content

Lt. Col. James Zoeller

Lt. Col. James P. Zoeller

After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1965, He Entered the Army and earned a commission in the Armor Branch.  At Fort Hood, Texas he commanded a tank platoon in the 2d Armored Division.  In 1967 he was deployed to Vietnam and commanded an Armored Cavalry Division in B Troop, 3d Squadron, 5th US Cavalry.  During the Tet offensive of February, 1968, he defended the provincial capital at Xuan-Loc, for which he was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, with bronze star attachment.  He separated from active duty in July 1968, but remained active in the Texas Army National Guard, and the Army Reserve.  In 1972 he commanded a Tank Company in Fort Worth in the 49th Armored Division.  He continued active in the Army Reserve, Completing the Command and General Staff College, and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1992.

In November, 1969, he joined Civil Air Patrol in Delaware, moved to Texas Wing, and was Operations Officer of the Crusader Composite Squadron at Naval Air Station, Dallas.  In 1987 he moved to Texas Wing staff as chief of staff, vice-commander, and interim Wing Commander in 1993.  In 1997 he transferred to the Fort Worth Senior squadron where he was active as an instructor pilot, check pilot, mission pilot, and commander in 1993. 

In 2010, he transferred to the Granbury Composite as Operations Officer, Instructor Pilot, Check pilot, and Mission Check Pilot.  During this time, the Squadron flew it’s assigned aircraft, N224JA, consistently recording flight utilizing in excess of 300 hours annually.  These missions included Cadet Flight Academies, Cadet Orientation Rides, Counter drug missions, USAF low level survey missions, aerial photography missions for several hurricanes, mountain flying training, aircrew training (scanner, observer, aerial photography, mission pilot), Standardization and Evaluation training and evaluating.

In 2006, he was selected as National Senior Member of the year.  in 2019, he was honored with the 50-year membership award.  He was awarded the FAA Master pilot award with 50 active, accident-free years as a pilot.

During this life-long service, LTC James P. Zoeller has earned every training award including the Gill Robb Wilson award with silver star attachment.  For his performance at the highest level, he was awarded every service award including numerous Meritorious Service Medals, numerous Exceptional Service Medals, and the Distinguished Service Medal.

He holds the following FAA Certificates:  Airline Transport Pilot, single and multi-engine, with Beechjet  400A, and King Air 350 type ratings, Commercial Pilot glider, Certified Flight Instructor, single and multi-engine land, Instrument flight instructor, CFI-glider. During this time, he has logged 11, 500 flight hours.  He remains an active CAP life member in the Granbury Composite Squadron.

© 2024 Civil Air Patrol. All rights reserved.
×