James Donald Hittle (June 10, 1915 – June 15, 2002) was a decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He is most noted for his service as legislative assistant to the commandant of the Marine Corps, between June 1952 and January 1960. Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Hittle served as United States Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) from March 1969 until March 1971. Hittle was also a member of so-called "Chowder Society", a special Marine Corps Board, which was tasked to conduct research and prepare material relative to postwar legislation concerning the role of the Marine Corps in national defense. Early career and World War II James D. Hittle was born on June 10, 1915, in Bear Lake, Michigan, as the son of Harry F. and Margaret Jane Hittle. He attended the public schools in Lansing and East Lansing and subsequently graduated from Michigan State College in the summer of 1937, having completed a pre-law course, with Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science. During his time at the college, Hittle completed ROTC advanced course and was commissioned reserve second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Cavalry on June 14, 1937. However, he resigned his reserve commission in order to accept appointment as second lieutenant in the Marine corps on July 19, 1937. Hittle was then ordered to the Basic School at Philadelphia Navy Yard for basic officer training, which he completed one year later. He was then attached to the Marine detachment aboard the cruiser USS Portland and took part in the patrol cruises in the Pacific Ocean. He then joined 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Holland Smith and was promoted to first lieutenant in summer 1940. Hittle remained with the unit following its expansion to 1st Marine Division and participated in the amphibious exercise at Culebra, Puerto Rico. He assumed command of the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS Washington in May 1941 and participated in the Arctic convoys in the Norwegian Sea in April 1942. During his service aboard that ship, he was promoted to captain in February 1942. Hittle was promoted to the rank of major in August 1942 and ordered to the Division Officer's course at Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He completed the course in October of that year and assumed duty as an