Celebrating Black History Month: Daniel James Jr., first African-American four-star general in US Armed Forces

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.

Celebrating Black History Month: Roscoe Robinson, Jr., first African-American four-star general in the US Army

Roscoe Robinson, Jr., born October 11, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, is the first African-American to become a four-star general in the U.S. Army.  He graduated from the US Military Academy in West Point, with a degree in military engineering in 1951.

He served in the Korean War and received the Bronze Star.  He served in the Vietnam War and received the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and two Silver Stars.

Robinson was promoted to Brigadier General in 1975 and became Commanding General of the US Army Garrison in Okinawa.  He was promoted to Major General in 1976 and became a four-star general in 1982.

When he retired in 1985, he was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal.

He passed away from leukemia in 1993.