James Lynn Saryerwinnie
Master Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy

James Lynn Saryerwinnie was born in Lawton, OK, and grew up in Russell, KS.

Military Career

Saryerwinnie enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 23 March 1978. After completing his “boot” training at Naval Station Great Lakes, IL, and his A School at Millington Naval Base. TN, he served at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, WA, as a Plane Captain and completed two Western Pacific cruises aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. He then transferred to NAS Cubi Point, Philippines, as an AIMD Electrical/ Instrument Technician and Micro-Miniature Repair Work Center Supervisor.

Other duty stations and assignments included a second tour at NAS Whidbey as an AE Shop Supervisor, Line Supervisor, Quality Assurance Rep and Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Rep; NAS Lemoore, CA, as a Maintenance Control Supervisor, Flight Schedule Coordinator and Carrier Qualification Detachment Coordinator; Forward deployment to Atsugi, Japan aboard the USS Independence including duty in the Arabian Gulf as a Maintenance Control Supervisor; and a 3rd tour to NAS Whidbey Island as a Maintenance Training Unit Senior Instructor.

His final assignment was to the USS Carl Vinson with home port in Bremerton, WA, Naval Base as the AIMD Production Control Master Chief Petty Officer. While assigned to Carl Vinson, he completed a Rim of the Pacific exercise and two Western Pacific cruises that included Air Wing combat missions in support of Operations Desert Fox and Enduring Freedom. It should be noted that the USS Carl Vinson was off the coast of Afghanistan on 11 September 2001 when the terrorist attacks occurred in the U.S. and was the first to launch air strikes against the insurgents to begin the combat phase of the War on Terrorism. em>Carl Vinson arrived in its home port of Bremerton in January 2002 ending Saryerwinnie's seventh deployment.

He retired from the Navy on 30 June 2002. His 24-years of military service included 12-years of foreign and sea service. During his career, he earned promotion to the highest enlisted rate (pay grade E-9) of Master Chief Petty Officer (AVCM), which constitutes the top 1% of the enlisted members of the naval forces.

Medals, Awards & Badges

Navy Commendation Medal with 2 Service Stars
Navy Achievement Medal with Service Star
National Defense Service Medal with Service Star
Navy Expeditionary Medal with Service Star
Navy Good Conduct Medal with Silver Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Service Star
Humanitarian Service Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star
Sea Service Medal
Navy “E” Ribbon
Meritorious Service Medal
Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Badge

Honors

He was awarded the Comanche Nation Honorable and Combat Service Medallions.

Education

In Retirement

Saryerwinnie and his wife Lynn, currently live in Silverdale, WA. They have a son, James Jr., and a daughter, Katie.

After his retirement, he taught elementary school and later worked for the Internal Revenue Service. He is currently a federal contractor.

This Honoree Record was prepared with the valuable assistance of Lanny G. Asepermy, Sergeant Major, U.S. Army (Ret.) [Honoree Record ID 227117], Historian for the Comanche Indian Veterans Association in Lawton, OK. Photo is courtesy of SMG Asepermy and the Comanche Nation Museum.