biography
Chief Master Sergeant James E. Clemenson
Chief Master Sergeant Clemenson is National Guard Bureau Joint Staff Senior Enlisted Advisor. He is responsible for keeping the Director NGB Joint Staff informed of all enlisted issues for the Airmen and Soldiers who work in the Joint Staff.
Prior to his current assignment, Chief Clemenson served as the Executive Assistant, National Guard Bureau J3 Counterdrug Division. He was responsible for all enlisted issues for the Airmen and Soldiers who work in the Division and in the 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia.
Chief Clemenson was born May 31, 1951, in Fargo, North Dakota. He began his military career in the US Army in January 1970. During his Army career, he served two tours in Viet Nam as a UH-1 Helicopter door gunner, a U-21 Crew Chief, and also worked in Unit Supply. He was honorably discharged in 1972.
In 1973 he joined the North Dakota Air National Guard and worked as Civil Service Aircraft Mechanic, Crew Chief, and Flightline Supervisor until 1998 when he was selected as the Title 32, Chief Enlisted Manager of the 119th FW Alert Detachment 1 located at Langley AFB, Virginia. In 2001 he was selected as the Title 10, NCOIC of the 12th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (Coronet Nighthawk) in Curacao, NA. In 2001 he was selected as the Executive Assistant for the NGB Counterdrug Division and in 2007 he was selected for his current position.
EDUCATION:
1970 67N20 UH-1 Helicopter Repair Course
1970 67A1F Helicopter Door Gunner Course
1973 43151C Aircraft One and Two Engine Maintenance Specialist
1975 43171C Aircraft One and Two Engine Maintenance Specialist
1975 42152 Pneudraulic Repairman
1975 NCO Academy Correspondence
1977 F-4 Aero Repair
1988 OPM Management Supervisor’s Course
1989 Aircraft Maintenance Technician (F-16)
1990 Supervisor Training Course
1993 SNCO Academy Correspondence
2001 NCR Chief’s Course
2005 ANG Chief’s Course
MAJOR DUTY ASSIGNMENTS
October 1970 – December 1971, 92nd Assault Helicopter Company, RVN
January – April 1972, Command Aircraft Company, RVN
May 1973 – July 1998, 119th FW, Fargo, ND
August 1998 – January 2000, Chief Enlisted Manager at Det 1, 119th FW, Langley AFB, VA
February 2000 – September 2001, NCOIC 12th EFS, Coronet Nighthawk, FOL Curacao, NA
September 2001 – July 2007, Executive Assistant NGB J3-CD
July 2007 – May 2011, Senior Enlisted Manager, NGB Joint Staff
May 2011 – present, Retired
AWARDS, DECORATIONS AND BADGES
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal, with 2 devices
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal, with 1 device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, with 7 devices
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service medal (with 1 Silver and 2 Bronze oak leaf clusters)
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service (with 2 Devices)
Vietnam Service Medal, with 3 devices
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Short Tour)
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, with 6 devices
Armed Forces Reserve Medal, with Gold hourglass device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
Air Force Training Ribbon
Republic of Vietnam Cross-of-Gallantry, with 1 device
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
North Dakota Legion of Merit Medal
North Dakota Meritorious Service Medal
North Dakota Commendation Ribbon
North Dakota Achievement Ribbon
North Dakota OCONUS Ribbon
North Dakota National Guard Emergency Service Ribbon
North Dakota Service Ribbon with 2 hourglass devices
North Dakota Basic Training Ribbon
North Dakota Recruiting Ribbon
German Armed Forces Troop Proficiency Badge (Gold)
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1989 Fargo/Moorhead Federal Employee of the Year
1994 Chappie James Award / William Tell 1994
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
E-1 29 January 1970
E-2 1 April 1970
E-3 8 July 1970
E-4 13 November 1970
E-5 19 October 1974
E-6 13 January 1982
E-7 9 November 1988
E-8 20 July 1994
E-9 20 April 2000
FAMILY:
Married to Rosalie Clemenson
Sons:
Christopher Clemenson. Married to Ali, two sons, Casey and Jordan. They reside in West Fargo, ND
TSgt Erik Clemenson serving with Air National Guard Security Forces. Married to Leah, Two sons, Ethan and Eli. They reside in Glyndon, MN
LtCol Justin Clemenson, former KC-135 Pilot, Wisconsin ANG in Milwaukee and current 119th Operations Support Squadron Commander and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Instructor Pilot, North Dakota ANG. Married to Sally. Two step-sons, Jayden and Tyden. One step daughter, Kaitlin. They reside in Frazee, MN
(Current as of Nov 2019)
