Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Daniel
James
, Jr.
February 11, 1920

–

February 25, 1978

Born:

Pensacola

, 

Florida

Home:

Pensacola

, 

Florida

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Daniel “Chappie” James graduated from Tuskegee University in 1942, and was commissioned in the Army Air Forces in 1943. Although he saw no combat service in World War II, he did train many of the pilots who became Tuskegee airman. After the war, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947, and flew combat missions as a fighter pilot in the Korean War and later commanded an air wing in the Vietnam War. In 1975 he became the first African-American to achieve four star rank, and retired in 1978 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    8th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Daniel James, Jr., United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot and as Vice Commander, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia, in 1967. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    8th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    1967

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Daniel James, Jr., United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Vice Commander, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia, in 1967. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel James and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1975 – 1977

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Daniel James, Jr., United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander in Chief/ NORAD/ADCOM, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, from 1975 to 1977. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General James and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Daniel James, Jr., United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, in Korea, in 1951. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Daniel James, Jr., United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General James and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Daniel James, Jr., United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The distinctive accomplishments of General James reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    8th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Daniel James, Jr., United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot and as Vice Commander, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia, in 1967. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.