James Ray Maddox entered the U.S. Army on 30 July 1953. He completed eight weeks of basic training with the Special Training Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, at Fort Knox, Kentucky, followed by stenographer and clerk-typist school from October through December 1953.
He left Fort Lewis, Washington, for Korea on 6 January 1954 and arrived on 31 January. After traveling through Seoul, he was stationed at Munsan-ni with the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission and assigned to its Legal Division under Colonel John K. Weber.
On 31 March 1955, Corporal Maddox received a Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service, presented by Major General Carter. The write-up also lists the Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal. Its January discharge date conflicts with the family history's 2 June 1955 date and is retained in the source-conflict ledger.