Stand near the Tuskegee Airmen exhibit in the World War II Gallery.

General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. was born on Feb. 11, 1920, in Pensacola, Florida, where he graduated from Washington High School in June 1937. He attended Tuskegee Institute at Tuskegee, Alabama, from September 1937 to March 1942, where he received a bachelor’s degree in physical education and completed civilian pilot training under the government-sponsored Civilian Pilot Training Program. He remained at Tuskegee as a civilian instructor pilot in the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program until January 1943, when he entered the program as a cadet and received his commission as second lieutenant in July 1943.

General James – who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Southeast Asia War – summed up his thoughts as his role as an American serviceman:

“I’ve fought in three wars and three more wouldn’t be too many to defend my country. I love America and as she has weaknesses or ills, I’ll hold her hand.”

He was promoted to four-star general on Sept. 1, 1975, becoming the first USAF African-American to hold the highest Air Force rank. He retired from active service on Feb. 1, 1978, and died later that month on February 25.