James D. Hornfischer

James D. Hornfischer
One of the greatest Naval historians passed away on June 1, 2021, but that accolade, along with his other talents and successes only begin to tell the incredible life story of James D. Hornfischer, the faithful son, husband, father, and friend.
Born in Salem, Massachusetts on November 18, 1965 to loving parents, David and Elsa Hornfischer. Jim graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Colgate University in 1987 and headed to New York City to work as an editor.
In those early days of his career in the Big Apple, Jim met and fell in love with Sharon Grace Simmons. After several years of courtship, they married and decided to build their life in Austin, Texas, where Jim became one of the first literary agents in the state's capital.
Sharon and Jim were blessed with three living and devoted children: David James, Grace Ann, and Henry Hutchins.
Ever the seeker of knowledge and expanding horizons, Jim earned consecutive degrees at The University of Texas at Austin: an MBA from McCombs School of Business and then a JD from UT's School of Law. In 2001 they founded Hornfischer Literary Management and focused on developing historical accounts of important untold stories from both new and established writers.
Jim was also an author himself. He published four WWII histories: The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, Ship of Ghosts, Neptune's Inferno, and The Fleet at Flood Tide.
Contemporary authors and historians have referred to him as, "having the mind of a skilled historian with the heart of a lyrical poet", "the Dean of World War II Naval history", and "a tour de force narrative storyteller."
Most recently, Jim received the highest civilian accolade from the United States Navy, the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, for all his work and extraordinary success at telling the Navy's story.
Jim's exuberant soul and voice resonated with great pleasure singing in the Tarrytown United Methodist Church Choir. For Jim, music and hymns in particular were a special bridge to the Divine, where his hope and comfort resided in his Lord.
Though we know you are gone too soon dear Jim, "Fair Winds and Following Seas."
Jim's Celebration of Life service will be held at Tarrytown United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas on Thursday, June 10th at 10:30 am. A livestream of the service will be available at https://www.tumcaustin.church/memorial-service. Burial will follow at The Texas State Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations can be made in Jim's memory to: The National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas, where a permanent tribute is being planned in his honor.
Refer to: tributes@nimitzfoundation.org or (830) 997-8600 Ext 220 or pacificwarmuseum.org/join-give/donations.
Remembrances may be shared at www.wcfish.com.