Answer: Jim Little is a man who has lived 52 years of his life in federal service, but whose career is too multifarious to capsule in a few short paragraphs. Some sort of succinct chronology becomes a necessity:

* Originally from Willow Springs, Mo.

* Joined the Marine Corps a age 17.

* Toting a 75-mm recoilless rifle in the Korean War.

* Caught some shrapnel causing what he describes as minor scratches.

* After Korea -- two years as an embassy guard in Cairo, Egypt.

* Back to general Marine duties, but part of an amphibious landing at Beirut, Lebanon to ensure free elections.

* Vietnam in 1965, where he was to spend 12 months and 10 days.

* Wounded three times in Vietnam.

* The last wound within days of going home.

* Two years of recovery in the Philadelphia Naval Hospital.

* Maggots used to clean and heal his wounds.

* Joins the Veterans Administration.

* Back to Vietnam for six months as a civilian, but active worker for the VA.

* Back to the United States where he has spent the last 37 years of his life in the Bootheel as a field representative for the VA.

Whew!!! Not exactly your average life.

There a number of memorable expressions that have come out of warfare. Some of them are a bit salty, and some are quite poignant:

"Seeing the elephant" is an expression coming out of the Civil War describing a soldier's first encounter with the horrors of battle. The "Thousand yard stare" is another. It describes that hollow look of combat soldiers who have seen far more than any man should have to see.

Jim Little has seen the elephant in both Korea and Vietnam, and is certainly aware of the thousand yard stare.

Jim says he is proud of his 13 months in Korea, because it is the first time we stopped aggressive communism.

Jim Little earned the "Silver Star" for valor in action prior to his last days as a Marine in Vietnam. The wounds that ended his military career put a stamp on this medal. "Vanguard," a magazine published by the VA, describes the action as follows:

"As the enemy pulled back, Little directed his platoon in pursuit. They approached a clearing about the length of a football field with some trees and brush on the far side. Little knew he couldn't send him men in blindly. He would have to go first to make sure it would be safe. As he charged into the clearing, an AK-47 rang out. Six rounds slammed into his legs and hip as he tumbled to the ground."

Jim's return to Vietnam as a "noncombatant" should not be taken lightly. He may have been a civilian, but he was still in Vietnam. His performance there earned him the only time the government has ever issued a citation and campaign medal to a civilian.

Jim might dispute this, but his years in the Bootheel as a VA man have been the quiet part of his life -- at least with no bullets flying around.

Through it all, Jim Little has maintained a stoic demeanor, and a keen sense of humor. He loves his country, and feels that he has served it to the best of his ability. Sometimes when he hears something he considers absurd, his eyebrows may raise a tad, and he might contribute a tidbit or two.

The Answer Man will appear on occasion in the Daily Dunklin Democrat, and will provide answers to various and sundry questions about local people, etc. Readers are invited to submit their queries to The Answer Man by e-mailing them to bhunt@dddnews.com.