James F. Forsythe was born June 25, 1935 in West Bend Iowa.  On 1 October 1953, he enlisted in the United States Navy.  He attended Boot Camp and RM”A” School in San Diego California before reporting to his first duty station here at Naval Communications Station Japan.  Subsequent duty stations included Commander Naval Center Fontainebleau France, RM”B” School in Bainbridge Maryland, USS Parsons (DD-949), Flag Allowance, Commander Cruisers Destroyers Pacific, USS Jason (AR-8), Commander Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla embarked onboard the USS Chicago (CLG-11), and Commander Destroyer Squadron Three. He returned to Commander Cruisers Destroyers Pacific, before finishing his Naval Career as the first Assistant EMO at Commander Naval Surface Forces Pacific in San Diego, California. After 22 years of Naval Service Jim retired as a Master Chief Radioman on September 30, 1975. 

          After retirement Jim went to work at TRACOR Corporation and stayed with them for the next for the next 15 years as a Consulting Field Engineer supervising the installation of the Single Audio System onboard U.S. Navy Ships.

          On March 2, 1990 Jim joined the SRF as an Electronics Technician in Combat Systems Department, C4I Division.  He was appointed C4I Division Head in January 2000. At the time of his death, Jim had served his Navy and Country for over 50 years.

          Those left to cherish Jim’s memory are his beloved wife Melida, and his children, Stephen Forsythe, Mary Forsythe May, Roger Forsythe, Jennifer Forsythe, John Forsythe and his many friends in the Yokosuka Community and throughout the world