James Allen “Jimmy” McHale was born on May 12, 1977 in Great Falls, Montana, the son of retired Airman Joel McHale. e spent 7 years in the Fairfield schools, and after graduating in 1995 from Fairfield High School, he joined the United States Army. First serving as a mechanic at Fort Carson, Colorado. When his enlistment ended, he still served his country by joining the Montana Army National Guard. He rejoined the Army in 2005 and was working as a bomb detector.

James was assigned to the 40th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, based at Baumholder, Germany. He was on his second tour of duty in Iraq, when he was severely injured by a roadside bomb on July 22, 2008, in Taji, Iraq. He was being treated at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He lived on through organ donation. His family removed him from life-support on July 30 and he passed away with his family near him. He is now buried in the Sunset Hills Cemetery, Fairfield, Teton County, Montana, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com