James B. Scanlon

James Bernard Scanlon (January 16, 1931 – October 30, 2023) was a U.S. Army officer who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Scanlon is notable for serving as an American advisor in South Vietnam from 1962 to 1963, and was involved in the Battle of Ap Bac.

Early life Scanlon was born on January 16, 1931, in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended the Christian Brothers College High School.

Personal life Scanlon married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Zerillo, on May 24, 1952. His wife predeceased him in 2011. He died on October 30, 2023, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Appearances Scanlon appeared in Ken Burns' The Vietnam War, Episode "Riding the Tiger (1961-1963)." He is also mentioned in Neil Sheehan's, A Bright Shining Lie, David Halberstam's The Making of A Quagmire, and Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns, The Vietnam War: An Intimate History.