General Daniel ‘Chappie’ James

General Daniel ’Chappie’ James, was born on the 11th February 1920, in Pensacola, Florida, where he was raised by his parents Daniel James Senior and Lillie Anna James. His father was an employee of the Pensacola Gas Company, whilst his mother was a high school teacher who opened a private school to teach her own and other black children¹. James graduated from his mothers school in 1937² and enrolled at Tuskegee Institute on a football scholarship, where in 1942 he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in physical education³.

During his college years, James, nicknamed "Chappie," took an interest in flying and qualified as a pilot through a scheme called the Civilian Pilot Training Program. On completion of the program, James remained with them as an instructor. Later James fought for and won a place at military flight school and completed his training in 1943, earning his commission as Second Lieutenant, and becoming one of the renowned Tuskegee Airmen. During World War II, he trained other African Americans, in the 99th Pursuit Squadron⁴.

Chappie James flew nearly 200 combat missions during the Korean and Vietnam wars and this along with his skill and courage earned him the rank of General, and Commander of the North American Aerospace Defence Command, otherwise known as NORAD at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. In achieving this rank, Chappie James became the first African American to obtain the rank of Four Star General in the U.S military⁵.

However, apart from his distinguished military record General Chappie James, is also known for his confrontation with Col Muammar Gaddafi at Wheelus Air Base in 1970. Chappie James, who was at that time commander of the 7272nd Fighter Training Wing was given the task of overseeing the withdrawal and closure of the U.S airbase. Gaddafi and a group of officers, who had recently overthrown King Idris, were keen to take over the air base and were using aggressive tactics to force an early evacuation, in the hope of maintaining vehicles and valuable equipment. James however, would not be bullied and this led to a showdown between the two men, which was to become a military legend⁶.