02/03/2017
Black History Fact #2
Maj. Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James Jr.
From Tuskegee Airman To First Black Four-Star, James Realized An American Dream.
The first African-American service member to reach the rank of full general, "Chappie" James at the time of his promotion in 1975 was also named commander of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), with responsibility for all aspects of air defense for the United States and Canada.
James was born in Pensacola, Fla., on Feb. 11, 1920. He attended Tuskegee Institute and was one of the famed "Tuskegee Airmen." The unit was part of the government-sponsored Civilian Pilot Training Program, an all-black unit whose members were kept separated from their white counterparts.