Wars, until 1967, when he returned to the Pentagon as special counsel within the Senate Armed Services Committee. During this period, he also served as military commentator for MBS TV and syndicated columnist for Copley News Service. While served in the capacity as Director of national security of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Hittle received Ordre du Mérite combattant by the Government of France as the token of good will. In March 1969, Hittle was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and was responsible for recruiting all of the personnel of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps, including military personnel (both active and reserve), government civilians, contractors, and volunteers until March 1971. He then assumed duty as senior vice president for government affairs with Pan American World Airways and remained in that capacity until 1973, when he worked as consultant to the Administrator of Veterans Affairs until 1977. Hittle subsequently served as consultant to the commandant of the Marine Corps, Robert H. Barrow, until 1981 and then assumed duty as counselor to the Secretary of the Navy, John Lehman. Hittle served in that capacity until Lehman's resignation in April 1987. He then settled in Arlington, Virginia, and served as the president of the Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C. While in the club, he was a member of a luncheon group where he met with the former members of the "Chowder Society". In 1994, Hittle was given College of Arts & Letters Distinguished Alumni Award by the Michigan State University "for having differentiated himself by achieving the highest level of professional and personal accomplishments. Those recipients possess the utmost integrity and character to positively reflect and enhance the prestige of Michigan State University. Those recipients are engaged in improving the community, the state, the nation, and/or the world and personally engaged in helping others through various efforts." Brigadier General James D. Hittle died on June 15, 2002, in his home at Arlington, Virginia, and is buried together with his wife, Edna Jane Hittle (1917–1969) at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. They had together one son, Harry M. Hittle. Decorations This is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General James D. Hittle: References List of Assistant Secretaries of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) 1915 births 2002 deaths People from Manistee County, Michigan United States Marine Corps generals United States Assistant Secretaries of State