Daniel James Jr.

Daniel James, Jr. (February 11th, 1920 – February 25th, 1978) was the first African-American four-star general officer in the United States military.^[1] He received his pilot training with the Tuskegee airmen during World War II.^[2] He flew planes during the Korean, and Vietnam Wars. He was a flight instructor in the United States Air Force. On receiving his fourth star he became commander-in-chief of the North American Aerospace Defense Command in 1975.^[3]

He died of a heart attack February 25th, 1978 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.^[4] On March 2, 1978, General James was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.^[3] His widow, Dorothy W. James, died on May 2, 2000, in San Antonio, Texas. She is buried next to General James at Arlington.^[4]

1. ↑ "Daniel "Chappie" James". Black History Now. 12 September 2011. Archived from the original on 24 May 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
2. ↑ "Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr". National Aviation Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} "EAA Chapter 1288, About Gen. Daniel 'Chappie' James". The Experimental Aircraft Association General Daniel 'Chappie' James, Jr. Chapter 1288, Inc. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} "Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr., General, United States Air Force". Arlington National Cemetery Website. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2015.