NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr.

Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. (11 February 1920 - 25 February 1978) was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, who in 1975 became the first African American to reach the rank of four star General. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1392x1626, 436 KB)General Daniel James, Jr. ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial-warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... NORAD is short for: North American Aerospace Defense Command Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The NORAD shield. ... Combatants United Nations: Republic of Korea, Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, Colombia, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States Medical staff: Denmark, Australia, Italy, Norway, Sweden Communist states: Democratic Peopleâ€™s Republic of Korea, Peoples Republic of China, Soviet Union Commanders... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam Peopleâ€™s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000... The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. ... The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. ... The Distinguished Flying Cross. ... February 11 is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... February 25 is the 56th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with aerial warfare. ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial-warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... This chart represents the U.S. Army officer rank insignia. ...

Early life

Daniel James was born in 1920, in Pensacola, Florida, where he graduated from Washington High School in June 1937. From September 1937 to March 1942, he attended Tuskegee Institute, where he received a bachelor of science degree in physical education and completed civilian pilot training under the government-sponsored Civilian Pilot Training Program. Nickname: The City of Five Flags Location of Pensacola (top left) in Florida Country United States State Florida County Escambia - Mayor John Fogg Area - City 39. ... Name Booker T. Washington High School Address 6000 College Parkway Town Pensacola, Florida 32503 Established Type Public secondary Religion Secular Students Coeducational Grades 9 to 12 Accreditation Florida State Department of Education District Escambia County School District Mascot Wild Cats Colors Blue, White, and Gold Yearbook Graffiti Website Link Booker... There is also the Tuskegee Airmen, a corps of African-American military pilots trained there during World War II Tuskegee University is an American institution of higher learning located in Tuskegee, Alabama. ... A Bachelor of Science (B.S., B.Sc. ... The Civilian Pilot Training Program (or CPTP), waws a flight training program sponsored by the United States government, ostensibly to increase the number of civilan pilots but also including military purposes. ...

Military Career

Korean War

In September 1949, General 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 F-51 and F-80 aircraft. Proper name for Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, during 1919-1948 when it was under U.S. Army jurisdiction. ... Korea (Korean: í•œêµ or ì¡°ì„ , see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ... ... The Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star was the first operational jet fighter used by the United States Army Air Forces. ...

General James returned to the United States and, in July 1951, went to Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts as an all-weather jet fighter pilot with the 58th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and later became operations officer. In April 1953, he became commander of the 437th FIS and, in August 1955, he assumed command of the 60th FIS. While stationed at Otis, he received the Massachusetts Junior Chamber of Commerce 1954 award of "Young Man of the Year" for his outstanding community relations efforts. He graduated from the Air Command and Staff College in June 1957. Otis Air National Guard Base (ANGB) (ICAO is KFMH) is an Air National Guard station located within the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR), a military training facility, located on the upper western portion of Cape Cod. ... A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for attacking other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed to attack ground targets, primarily by dropping bombs. ... The United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) is a leadership training and civic organization for people between the ages of 18 and 40. ... The Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) is located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama and is the United States Air Forces intermediate professional military education (PME) school. ...

James next was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force as a staff officer in the Air Defense Division of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. In July 1960, he was transferred to the Royal Air Force Bentwaters in England, where he served successively as assistant director of operations and then director of operations, 81st Tactical Fighter Wing; commander, 92d Tactical Fighter Squadron; and deputy commander for operations for the 81st Wing. In September 1964, General James was transferred to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, where he was director of operations training and later deputy commander for operations for the 4453nd Combat Crew Training Wing. RAF Bentwaters is a former Royal Air Force station about 50 miles NE of London, 10 miles ENE of Ipswich, near Woodbridge, Suffolk in the UK. The name was taken from two cottages (â€˜Bentwaters Cottagesâ€™) that had stood on the site of the main runway during its construction in 1943. ... Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (IATA: DMA, ICAO: KDMA), also referred to as D-M, is a key US Air Combat Command installation, located within the city limits of Tucson, in Pima County, Arizona. ...

Vietnam War

James went to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand in December 1966, as deputy commander for operations, 8th TFW, and in June 1967 was named wing vice commander, under Colonel Robin Olds, a triple ace. Both in their mid-40's, they formed a legendary team nicknamed "Blackman and Robin." James flew 78 combat missions into North Vietnam, many in the Hanoi/Haiphong area, and led a flight in the "Operation Bolo" Mig sweep in which seven Communist Mig-21's were destroyed, the highest total kill of any mission during the Vietnam War. Image File history File linksMetadata 040130-F-0000G-004. ... Image File history File linksMetadata 040130-F-0000G-004. ... Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force facility and is the home of Wing 21 of the RTAF 2nd Air Division. ... Robin Olds (born July 14, 1922) is a former American fighter pilot who served in the U.S. Air Force. ... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam Peopleâ€™s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000...

He was named vice commander of the 33d TFW at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, in December 1967. While stationed at Eglin, the Florida State Jaycees named General James as Florida's "Outstanding American of the Year" for 1969, and he received the Jaycee Distinguished Service Award. He was transferred to Wheelus Air Base in the Libyan Arab Republic in August 1969 as Commander of the 7272nd Fighter Training Wing. Eglin Air Force Base is the home of the United States Air Force 96th Air Base Wing of the Air Force Materiel Command, and is also headquarters for more than 45 associate units. ... The United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) is a leadership training and civic organization for people between the ages of 18 and 40. ... Wheelus Air Base (IATA: TIP, ICAO: HLLL) was an air base used by the US Air Force on the coast of Libya. ... This article is about Libya, the country in North Africa. ...

James became deputy assistant secretary of defense (public affairs) in March 1970 and was designated principal deputy assistant secretary of defense (public affairs) in April 1973. He assumed duty as vice commander of the Military Airlift Command, with headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, on September 1, 1974. MAC shield Military Airlift Command (MAC) was a former United States Air Force command. ... Scott Air Force Base (Scott AFB) (IATA: BLV, ICAO: KBLV) is an base of the United States Air Force in St. ... Official language(s) English Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Area Ranked 25th - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 kmÂ²) - Width 210 miles (340 km) - Length 390 miles (629 km) - % water 4. ... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

General James was promoted to four-star grade and assigned as commander in chief, NORAD/ADCOM, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, on September 1, 1975. In these dual capacities, he had operational command of all United States and Canadian strategic aerospace defense forces. He assumed duty as special assistant to the chief of staff, U.S. Air Force on December 6, 1977. NORAD is short for: North American Aerospace Defense Command Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The NORAD shield. ... Peterson Air Force Base (Peterson AFB) is a base of the United States Air Force located in El Paso County, Colorado near Colorado Springs. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area Ranked 8th - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 kmÂ²) - Width 280 miles (451 km) - Length 380 miles (612 km) - % water 0. ... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... The chief of staff is the chief aide to the commander of larger military formations and units. ... Seal of the Air Force. ... December 6 is the 340th day (341st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ...

General James was widely known for his speeches on Americanism and patriotism for which he was editorialized in numerous national and international publications. Excerpts from some of the speeches have been read into the Congressional Record. He was awarded the George Washington Freedom Foundation Medal in 1967 and again in 1968. He received the Arnold Air Society Eugene M. Zuckert Award in 1970 for outstanding contributions to Air Force professionalism. His citation read "... fighter pilot with a magnificent record, public speaker, and eloquent spokesman for the American Dream we so rarely achieve." James was also known to have lobbied for the adoption of the F-14 in the USAF.^{[citation needed]} Image File history File links James3. ... Image File history File links James3. ... This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. ... The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. ... Founded in 1949, the Freedoms Foundation is located adjacent to the Valley Forge National Historic Park, and sits on ground that was once part of General Washingtons encampment. ... The Arnold Air Society (AAS) is a professional, honorary, service organization advocating the support of aerospace power. ... Sailors prepare an F-14 Tomcat for flight on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003). ... Seal of the Air Force. ...

Later achievements

Other civilian awards that General James received included the following: 1969 - Builders of a Greater Arizona Award; 1970 - Phoenix Urban League Man of the Year Award, Distinguished Service Achievement Award from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; 1971 - American Legion National Commander's Public Relations Award, Veteran of Foreign Wars Commander in Chief's Gold Medal Award and Citation; 1975 - Capital Press Club, Washington, D.C., Salute to Black Pioneers Award; 1976 - Air Force Association Jimmy Doolittle Chapter Man of the Year Award, Florida Association of Broadcasters' Gold Medal Award, American Veterans of World War II Silver Helmet Award, United Service Organization Liberty Bell Award, Blackbook Minority Business and Reference Guidance Par Excellence Award, American Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award, United Negro College Fund's Distinguished Service Award, Horatio Alger Award, VFW Americanism Medal, Bishop Wright Air Industry Award, and the Kitty Hawk Award (Military). He was awarded honorary doctor of laws degrees from the University of West Florida in 1971, the University of Akron in 1973, Virginia State College in 1974, Delaware State College in 1975, and St. Louis University in 1976. He was named honorary national commander, Arnold Air Society in 1971. 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... National Urban League Logo The National Urban League (NUL) is a nonpartisan civil rights organization based in New York City that advocates on behalf of African Americans and against racial discrimination in the United States. ... Kappa Alpha Psi (KAÎ¨) is the second oldest collegiate Greek-letter fraternity with a predominantly African American membership. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday. ... ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... General James Harold Jimmy Doolittle, Sc. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The United Service Organizations The United Service Organizations (USO) is a volunteer organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military worldwide. ... The American Academy of Achievement is a nonprofit organization that seeks to educate and inspire youth. ... United Negro College Fund logo The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is a Fairfax, Virginia-based American philanthropic organization that fundraises college tuition money for black students and general scholarship funds for 39 historically black colleges and universities. ... The Horatio Alger Award is an American award, which is given to individuals who have succeeded in the face of adversity. ... An honorary degree (Latin: honoris causa ad gradum, not to be confused with an honors degree) is an academic degree awarded to an individual as a decoration, rather than as the result of matriculating and studying for several years. ... The University of West Florida is a public university, located in Pensacola, Florida. ... The University of Akron is an institution of higher learning located in Akron, Ohio. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... Virginia State University, located in Ettrick, Virginia (near Petersburg, in the Richmond area), was founded on March 6, 1882. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Saint Louis University (SLU) is a private, co-educational Roman Catholic university in the United States. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... The Arnold Air Society (AAS) is a professional, honorary, service organization advocating the support of aerospace power. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday. ...

General James died of a heart attack in February 1978 at the age of fifty-eight, less than a month after retiring from the Air Force. A myocardial infarction occurs when an atherosclerotic plaque slowly builds up in the inner lining of a coronary artery and then suddenly ruptures, totally occluding the artery and preventing blood flow downstream. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ...

General James's son, Lieutenant General Daniel James III also served in the United States Air Force and in the Texas Air National Guard. He served from 1995 to 2002 as the Adjutant General of the Texas National Guard (the first African American to hold the post), and as Director of the Air National Guard from 2002 to 2006. In the summer of 2006 he retired from the United States Air Force after 38 years of commissioned service, on active duty and as an Air Guardsman, at the rank of lieutenant general. He died shortly after he retired, due to a heart attack.

Contents

Early life

Military Career

Korean War

Vietnam War

Later achievements

See also

References

External links

Contents

Early life GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Military Career

Korean War

Vietnam War

Later achievements

See also

References

External links

Early life