Beyond the limits of regionalism, though, Jim Lipscomb realizes also that he is a citizen of the great country he has served for many years through the Mississippi Army National Guard. The life he began in 1961, when he enlisted in the 1st Battalion, 114th Field Artillery, through the culmination of being appointed Adjutant General of the Mississippi Guard by Governor Ronnie Musgrove on July 6, 2000, is one that puts a love of country at the top of his ranking of values.

Lipscomb’s story is one typical of the country’s military he serves: success through dedication and perseverance, a “can-do” attitude, and a devotion to family and country.

“I grew up in Hattiesburg and lived there until the eighth grade,” General Lipscomb recalls of his formative years. “My dad worked with the phone company and he was transferred to Greenwood when I was just starting high school. We were a very close family, with my brother and me being the only children. My parents had most of their family in Hattiesburg and it was a shock for us to move to the Delta and readjust to a different part of the state.

I was really in awe of the Delta when we came here,” General Lipscomb chuckles. “It was so different from what I was used to in South Mississippi. It was the first exposure I had ever had to a farming environment, for example, and the society was more close-knit than anything I had ever seen.”

He adjusted, though, and about the time of high school graduation Lipscomb embarked upon what would become his life’s work. “I went into active duty training through the National Guard after my senior year of high school,” he says, “then I entered Mississippi State University to study and major and marketing.”

Between his junior and senior year at MSU, Lipscomb married the love of his life, the former Mary Lynn Bowman of Greenwood, and the two having met in high school. The General and his wife are the proud parents of five children, all professionals in their respective careers today with the exception of the two youngest who are still in school.

General Lipscomb was commissioned as a second lieutenant, Field Artillery in 1964 through the Mississippi Army National Guard Military Academy Officer Candidate School (OCS). He went on to command units at every level to include Battery, Battalion, Brigade and Major Subordinate Command.

The Vietnam War was raging on the other side of the world but President Lyndon Johnson had made a decision not to call up the Army National Guard in any significant degree. “The draft was on-going at that time, of course, “ the General recalls, “which is totally different from today and the extensive use of the Guard in recent armed conflicts we see now. Incidentally, I think that is a major factor in our success on the global war on terror,” Lipscomb adds.

Graduating from State in 1965, General Lipscomb went to work for Exxon while keeping his obligation to the Guard, going through officer training, staying primarily in the Delta region close to battalion headquarters in Greenwood. The General’s military education includes the Field Artillery Basic and Advanced Courses, U.S. Army Command and General Staff Curse, Industrial College of the Armed Forces National Security Management Course, and the U.S. Army War College National Security Issues Course.

“I entered the Exxon marketing department on the retail/wholesale side and worked with them for ten years,” Lipscomb says. “Our family did move around a bit, but we never got too far away from Mississippi. It seemed like every time my wife and I had a child, we had to pick up and move,” he laughs, “and I decided that a change was in order.”

That “change” was a permanent move back to Greenwood, where Lipscomb got involved with his wife’s family business, Bowman and Bowman, an engineering firm that did work for the rural electric co-ops and power companies. After two years of this, however, the General got an opportunity to enter the oil business as a wholesale distributor in Greenville.

“We came to Greenville in early 1978, and I started the businesses Lipscomb Oil Company, Inc. and Lipscomb Transports, Inc., all the while keeping up my annual training with the Guard,” Lipscomb recalls. “I bought a distributorship and became my own boss, which really fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine. My father-in-law encouraged me strongly to start my own business and we’ve had a very successful run.”

“Our businesses started with a small plant in Greenville and had storefront accounts in the Delta,” Lipscomb says of the early days of Lipscomb Oil. “We sold petroleum and petroleum package products to these grocery stores, primarily in Washington and Bolivar Counties and part of Sunflower County. Most of those types of stores are gone now, and we began to realize in the late 70’s that we needed to transition into the operating of stores ourselves, i.e., a modern convenience store.”

“In about 1981, we bought our first location,” Lipscomb says, “and that has lead to what we have today: a retail/wholesale operation that has grown to include all of North Mississippi, most of central Mississippi and a portion of Arkansas. We currently have about 250 employees and operate 23 units/stores with another 16 we lease out or supply fuel to.”

Lipscomb says that going into business for himself was a risk and a challenge, but one he was geared up for. “As time progressed, we expanded and grew and made a difference in the Delta business community,” he notes. “We’ve got a company here that has been recognized for excellence and that is a credit to the people who work for us and who care about the jobs they do.”

As far as his military career, the General says he considers it an “ideal” one. “I have always had a great love of the military, and I was fortunate to have worked under people who were interested in young officers and helping them in their careers. I received a great deal of invaluable mentoring and was also able to command a wide variety of different units at every level.”

General Lipscomb has received numerous awards during his military career. Among those are: the Meritorious Service Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; the Army Commendation Medal; the Army Achievement Medal and the Mississippi Magnolia Cross, the state’s highest military award. He has also received the Mississippi Magnolia Medal, the Mississippi Commendation Medal, the Mississippi Emergency Service Medal with two bronze Oak Leaf Clusters and the Mississippi War Medal with one bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. “The accolades and awards have truly been honors,” General Lipscomb says. “The military is exceptional about recognizing their soldiers and all of these awards have meant a great deal to me throughout my career.”

With all of these honors, General Lipscomb says the moment that really stands out for him was when he graduated from Officer Candidate School early on and his then wife-to-be pinned on his Second Lieutenant Bar at the ceremony. “That was a really great moment for me,” he recalls. “OCS is not an easy way to earn a commission and to have someone you think so much of be a part of such a moment was truly wonderful. Also being called by the Governor to take the Adjutant General’s job was incredibly fulfilling and then being promoted to the rank of Major General in August of 2000; all of these events have great meaning to me, especially in light of the outstanding work our Guard does.”

“Not since the Korean War has the Mississippi National Guard been as active as they are now in overseas deployment,” Lipscomb continues. “Our people have been extremely involved in the global War on Terrorism effort at every level, and to be involved as I am with that effort is what it’s all the training and preparation is about. Our Guard’s leadership team in this state is second to none.”

Living in Greenville, General Lipscomb says that the Delta means the world to him and his family. “I’ve raised my children here, grown my business here, been involved in the community and had the community involved with me,” Lipscomb says. “I believe that, despite our many challenges, the Delta can address and overcome any problems we have. Once you become part of the rich fabric of this part of the state, it gets in your bones and stays with you. It’s truly home.”

Citing General Dwight D. Eisenhower as a personal hero, General Lipscomb says he tries to follow the kind of example that great leader provided in his personal and business life. “I am grateful to the Lord for everything He has provided to me and my family, and my wish is to continue to do more of what I’ve been doing and hopefully do it better,” General Lipscomb says. “I am fortunate to have a loving family and wife who have been so supportive and giving. I really feel that I have been blessed in every sense of the word.”

It can also be said that Mississippi—and the Delta—is fortunate to have a real life hero like General James H. Lipscomb, III, living, working and protecting his country here in her midst. DBJ