Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr., born February 11, 1920, was the first African-American to reach the rank of four-star general in any of the US armed forces. He attended the Tuskegee Institute, teaching black pilots during WWII. He flew combat missions in the Korean War and Vietnam War. He has received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, two Air Force Distinguished Service Medals, two Legion of Merits, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, Meritorious Service Medal and fourteen Air Medals.
On September 1, 1975, he was promoted to the rank of four-star general and assigned as commander in chief of NORAD in Colorado.
He passed away of a heart attack February 25, 1978, only three weeks following his retirement from the Air Force.
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