Chappie James
| Daniel James, Jr. | |
|---|---|
U.S Air Force Photo
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Chappie" |
| Born |
February 11, 1920 Pensacola, Florida, United States |
| Died | February 25, 1978 (aged 58) Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States |
| Buried | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1943–1978 |
| Rank |
 General
|
| Commands held | |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | |
Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. (February 11, 1920 – February 25, 1978) was an American fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, who in 1975 became the first African American to reach the rank of four-star general. He attended the famous Tuskegee Institute and instructed African American pilots during WWII. He flew combat missions during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
James was one of 17 children born to Lillie Anna James, an educator who began a school for black children in Pensacola, Florida. He graduated from the Tuskegee University in 1942 where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. He continued civilian pilot training under the government-sponsored Civilian Pilot Training Program. He remained at Tuskegee as a civilian instructor pilot in the Army Air Corps later that July. Throughout the remainder of the war James trained pilots for the all-black 99th Pursuit Squadron. He did not see combat himself until the Korean War.
In September 1949, James went to the Philippines as flight leader for the 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Wing at Clark Field. In July 1950 he left for Korea, where he flew 101 combat missions in P-51 Mustang and F-80 aircraft.
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