Chappie James Black Eagle: General

¶ … Chappie James "Black Eagle: General Daniel "Chappie" James Jr.

A material

McGovern, James R. Black Eagle: General Daniel 'Chappie' James, Jr. University of Alabama Press, 1985.

Today, the proud presence of African-Americans in the armed forces is taken for granted. In the current Bush Administration, two African-Americans have already served as Secretary of State. But in the early days of Black Eagle 'Chappie' James, Jr., things were very different for African-Americans who served in the military. Blacks were still required to serve in the armed forces like their white counterparts because of the draft, but they had to do so in specialized units. At this time, they also did not have the same opportunities for education or advancement within the service. The all-black units of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II were the notable exception to such limitations. Despite the fact that their unit was the product of segregation, the airmen distinguished themselves throughout the war. Amongst their number, Daniel 'Chappie' James Jr. received the formative education that would stay with him for throughout his life in the American arms service.

Daniel 'Chappie' James Jr. won his wings and a commission during World War II with the Tuskegee, but James did not serve in actual combat until the Korean War, where he quickly rose through the ranks and made history. In Korea he flew more than one hundred combat missions and won the Distinguished Service Medal. Despite the discrimination he encountered in the arms services in Korea, James remained in the military. By the time of the Vietnam War, he had been made cornel and continued to fly on missions, over three hundred during that conflict, well into his 40s.

Eventually, James became the first black general to earn four stars in the service. This defining accomplishment would have been enough to earn him a place in history books. However, the fact that James was also quite, if quietly outspoken about the oppression of black Americans in American society, and the racially divided nature of the American service earns him further distinction in the eyes of civil rights historians. James spoke out at a time in the military when civil rights were not popular. During the Cold War any critique of American social policy was seen as unpatriotic. Despite his acknowledgement of the presence of racism James often faced criticism from his fellow African-Americans at home because of his leadership role in the government and the successful efforts he showed in wresting control over North Vietnamese territories during his Vietnam War missions. James also preached patriotism and duty in his many public speeches, which also made more radical African-Americans hostile to James, even though he was highly in demand as a public speaker.

Thus James could an incisive critic behind the scenes when he felt the need, but he was far from an outsider figure. He spent most of his life working for the government. After his combat service, he was became a spokesperson for the Defense Department in the Public Affairs Department (PAD) in the 1970s, when the Vietnam War was still brewing. He also became vice commander of the Military Airlift Command (MAC) in Vietnam and the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) because of his work at the PAD.

To give a sense of what fueled James' ambition, the author James McGovern conducted a number of interviews with people close to the airman's life, including "Chappie's" mother Lillie James, who worked to imbue her son with a strong sense of self, growing up in the segregated South of Pensacola, Florida. It was from her that James learned that individuals should be judged upon their accomplishments and performance, not upon their skin color. James always believed that if he worked hard, and was the best flyer in the air, then his promotion and awards would not be questioned. He believed hard work could overcome prejudice.

Although James is most famous for his fourth star and his unique role as a prominent black spokesperson for the military during a time when the American government was under increasing fire at home because of the disproportionate number of African-Americans serving in Vietnam, perhaps the most memorable and defining moment of James' career came in the Middle East. In 1967 when James was the commander of the American airbase located in Libya. After Colonel Khadafy assumed power the Libyan leader demanded that the United States turn over the base to his control. James became the chief negotiator with the new, hostile regime. He had to protect his troops without inciting a military or public relations firestorm.