James Bassett

James Elias Bassett Jr. (October 18, 1912 – September 26, 1978) was an American newspaper editor and author, most notably of the best-selling novel Harm's Way, which was later adapted into the motion picture In Harm's Way. Biography The son of James E. and Lucille R. Bassett, Bassett was born in Glendale, California. Raised in Mamaroneck, New York, from 1914 on, in 1934 he graduated cum laude from Bowdoin College in Maine, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. After college, he returned to Los Angeles and joined the Los Angeles Times as a reporter. He later served the paper as aviation writer, political analyst and director of the editorial pages until he was named associate editor in 1971. At the Mirror, the Times''' sister publication, he held the posts of political editor, feature editor and city editor. Bassett entered the United States Navy as lieutenant (junior grade) in February 1941. He and his wife were in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor, as Bassett was serving on the public relations staff of Admiral Husband E. Kimmel. Bassett went on to become public relations officer for Fleet Admiral William F. (Bull) Halsey and was awarded the Bronze Star with combat V. Bassett later retired from the service as a captain, and returned to work at the Times.