Daniel "Chappie" James: The First African American Four Star General

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McFarland, May 12, 2015 - History - 231 pages

General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr., USAF, fought in three American wars and became the first African American to attain the rank of four-star general in the United States Armed Forces. He was a talented military leader, an excellent orator and an advocate for equal rights for blacks in the military. James was once one of the most powerful men in the world, and today he is often classed with such great American generals as Patton, MacArthur and Pershing.

This biography explores James's life and assesses his place in American military history. From his childhood through his role and service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, the book traces his personal and career development, his influences, and his climb through the military ranks. Photographs of James are included as well as detailed bibliographical information at the end of each chapter.

 

Contents

Introduction
3
The Bell Toll Birth and Childhood
17
College Days Tuskegee Institute
29
The Soldier as Warrior Black Military Protest
39
World War II
45
Winds of War The Post War Years
53
Korea
62
Places in Time Bentwaters England and Beyond
69
Two Stars The Patriot
121
Three Stars Up the Military Ladder
128
The General NORAD
138
General Jamess View on Air Defense
155
Retirement of a Warrior
162
Death of a Fighter Pilot
174
Conclusion
186
Epilogue
199

Armies of the Night The Vietnam Conflict
81
After the War in Vietnam
95
The Warrior as Diplomat Wheelus Air Force Base Libya
104
One Star The Beginning of Stardom
112
Bibliography
207
Index
217
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Page 14 - ... chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General David C. Jones, and the budding efforts and policies to disband NORAD.

About the author (2015)

Earnest N. Bracey is a retired Army lieutenant colonel and is a professor of political science and African American history at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas.

Bibliographic information