Daniel James Jr.

Daniel James, Jr.
U.S Air Force Photo
Nickname(s)	"Chappie"
Born	(1920-02-11)February 11, 1920 Pensacola, Florida, United States
Died	February 25, 1978(1978-02-25) (aged 58) Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Buried at	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1943–1978
Rank	General
Commands held	437th FIS 60th FIS 92nd Tactical Fighter Squadron 7272nd Fighter Training Wing NORAD/ADCOM
Battles/wars	World War II Korean War Vietnam War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross

Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. (February 11, 1920 – February 25, 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.

James 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.

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, later becoming operations officer. In April 1953 he became commander of the 437th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, and assumed command of the 60th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in August 1955. 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. On August 15, 1954 he appeared as a contestant on the game show What's My Line? He graduated from the Air Command and Staff College in June 1957.