GREGORY CHANDLER ON GENERAL DANIEL 'CHAPPIE' JAMES

February is Black History Month. As I did last year, I write about an African-American in the military.

General Daniel 'Chappie' James, Jr. was the first African-American promoted to the rank of

four-star general. General James was a member of the storied Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. James' military duties during World War II caused him to miss combat action during that war. James, however, did see combat in the Korean War.

James was born in February 1920 in Pensacola, Florida. He graduated from Washington High School in June 1937. As one of the famed Tuskegee Airman, James attended Tuskegee Institute at Tuskegee, Alabama where he received a bachelor of science degree in physical education and completed pilot training.

James remained at Tuskegee Institute as an instructor in the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program until January 1943 and received his commission as a second lieutenant in July 1943.

Throughout the remainder of World War II James trained pilots for the all-African-American 99th Pursuit Squadron and worked in other assignments.

In September 1949 James went to the Philippines and was assigned to the 18th Fighter Wing at Clark Field. In July 1950 he went to Korea where he flew 101 combat missions in F-51 and F-80 Shooting Star aircraft during the Korean war.

James returned to the United States in July 1951 and was assigned to Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts where he was assigned as an all-weather jet pilot, and later as the squadron commander.

After assignments in England and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, James served in Thailand in December 1966. The future general flew 78 combat missions into North Vietnam, many in the Hanoi/Haiphong area, and led a flight in the Bolo MIG sweep in which seven enemy MIG-21s were destroyed, the highest total kill of any mission during the Vietnam War.

James was named vice commander of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Elgin Air Force Base, Florida in December 1967. While stationed at Elgin Air Force Base, the Florida State Jaycees named him as Florida's Outstanding American of the Year for 1969. James was transferred to Wheelus Air Base in Libya in August 1969 as commander of the 7272 Fighter Training Wing.

James became Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) on March 31, 1970, and was designated Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) on April 20, 1973.

General James was promoted to four star general 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. His last position, before retirement, was special assistant to the Air Force

chief of staff.

James retired from active duty on February 1, 1978. James died the same month of his retirement on February 25, 1978.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Colonel, United States Army Reserves