TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- In the first issue of the Tinker Take Off for 2017 we discussed the F-4, the greatest air battle of the Vietnam War, Operation Bolo, and the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing’s famous leader, then-Colonel Robin Olds. However, Olds did not conceive or conduct the greatest air battle of the Vietnam War alone. The 8th Tactical Fighter Wing was filled with great Airmen, and none were better than Olds’ vice commander, then-Colonel Daniel “Chappie” James Jr.
During his career, Chappie James Jr. became the first African-American general in the United States Air Force and was later the first African-American four-star general in any American military service branch. He was born Feb. 11, 1920, in Pensacola, Fla., as the last of 17 children to a laborer and a teacher. James’ mother taught all her students what she considered the 11th commandment: Thou shalt never quit. He passed away of a heart attack Feb. 25, 1978 – just three weeks after retiring. His nickname came from copying an older brother’s nickname, Chappie, after “Baby Dan” no longer suited his 6’4”, 250-pound frame.
Chappie James Jr. grew up wanting to be a pilot after seeing the planes constantly taking off and landing at nearby Pensacola Naval Air Station. After being expelled from Tuskegee his senior year for one too many escapades, he attended the civilian pilot training program there at Tuskegee. After completion, he joined the Army Air Corps as a 2nd lieutenant and continued to teach flying to young cadets. Chappie did not see combat until the Korean War, flying 101 combat missions. Later, during the Vietnam War, he flew 78 combat missions. In fact, it was his actions during the Vietnam War that makes him not only an Air Force hero, but an 8th TFW “Wolf Pack” legend.
In 1966 Chappie James Jr. was sent to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, first as deputy commander for operations and later on as vice commander to Colonel Robin Olds for the 8th TFW. Together “Blackman and Robin” planned the famous Operation Bolo MiG sweep, the most successful air operation of the war with the highest total kill of any air mission during that war. Both Chappie James Jr. and Robin Olds personally led flights on this mission that gave the Wolf Pack its name. Later through his illustrious career, Chappie James Jr. was commander of the 7272nd Fighter Training Wing at Wheelus Air Base, Libya, when Colonel Gadhafi succeeded in his revolution there. James’ leadership and diplomatic skills were put to full use in that delicate situation in which the new anti-Western, radical Libyan leader sought to expel the Air Force. Back home James’ speeches on Americanism and patriotism were so well regarded, many were read into the Congressional Record. Chappie James also went on to be vice commander of Military Airlift Command and eventually was promoted to four-star grade and assigned as commander in chief, NORAD/ADCOM in 1975. This meant he had operational command of all U.S. and Canadian strategic aerospace defense forces.
Chappie James was taken from us all too soon at the age of 58, but he lived a remarkable life. His civilian awards alone, including many honorary doctorate degrees, are too many to list here. In 1969, after almost 30 years passed, Tuskegee awarded James a Bachelor of Science degree based on the numerous credit hours he had earned during his military career. He overcame extreme poverty, racism - including segregation in the military when he first joined - and combat in multiple wars to set a great example of how great we all can be if we follow the 11th commandment. His memorial at Arlington National Cemetery says, in part: “This is my country and I believe in her. I’ll protect her against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” The 8FW’s first Wolf II was among America’s best and a great example of how to embody our Air Force Values.