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orangecrush

(31,826 posts)
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 04:01 PM Tuesday

Black USAF Hero "Chappie" James Portrait Removed from Pentagon

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Concerns are growing about a celebrated Pensacola veteran's portrait being removed from the Pentagon. But the Air Force says it was relocated after art gallery renovations.

This surfaced after a report in "The Atlantic." The article says several people noticed General Daniel "Chappie" James Jr.'s photo was missing. Historians describe him as a trailblazer.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/air-force-cites-renovations-as-reason-for-relocation-of-gen-chappie-james-portrait/ar-AA25OnT4



"Daniel James, Jr. (February 11th, 1920 – February 25th, 1978) was the first African-American four-star general officer in the United States military.[1] He received his pilot training with the Tuskegee airmen during World War II.[2] He flew planes during the Korean, and Vietnam Wars. He was a flight instructor in the United States Air Force. On receiving his fourth star he became commander-in-chief of the North American Aerospace Defense Command in 1975.[3]

He died of a heart attack February 25th, 1978 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[4] On March 2, 1978, General James was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.[3] His widow, Dorothy W. James, died on May 2, 2000, in San Antonio, Texas. She is buried next to General James at Arlington.[

James won the following awards[5] (Each oak leaf cluster and service stars represents one additional award):

Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal w/1 oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit w/1 oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross w/2 oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal w/13 oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal w/1 service star
Korean Service Medal w/4 service stars
Vietnam Service Medal w/2 bronze service stars
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon w/7 oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Republic Of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Defense Distinguished Service Medal[6]

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_James_Jr.

........



Salt and Pepper

"In real-world military history, legendary Vietnam War fighter pilot Colonel Robin Olds and his Vice Commander, Colonel Daniel "Chappie" James Jr., commanded the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. Credited with a brilliant and highly successful series of missions over North Vietnam, their highly effective tactical combination earned them the popular nickname "Blackman and Robin" among their troops."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Olds






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24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Black USAF Hero "Chappie" James Portrait Removed from Pentagon (Original Post) orangecrush Tuesday OP
🤬 after the renovations, return his portrait to a place of honor Deuxcents Tuesday #1
Renovations? orangecrush Tuesday #4
In the "VERY IFFY" column! Hopefully soneone(s) will keep an eye whether.... electric_blue68 Tuesday #16
Some bathroom in the basement? calimary Tuesday #8
There are no non-white heroes malaise Tuesday #2
everything they tear down will be restored eShirl Tuesday #3
Trump Hung Portrait of His Hero in the White House Kid Berwyn Tuesday #5
I absolutely hate those bastards. nt hookaleft Tuesday #6
The Secretary needs to go NOW, with tremendous prejudice dave99 Tuesday #7
This had damned well better be temporary. 3catwoman3 Tuesday #9
Don't bet in it orangecrush Tuesday #12
I won't. I sure would like to know... 3catwoman3 Tuesday #20
Safe bet orangecrush 21 hrs ago #22
He was my boss as I was in ADC, although I never had the honor of meeting him TexLaProgressive Tuesday #10
What a morale boost that had to be orangecrush Tuesday #13
The Red Tails! electric_blue68 Tuesday #17
As expected from the fat racist draft-dodger..... wolfie001 Tuesday #11
Hegseth did this AverageOldGuy Tuesday #14
A drunk pissing all over the honor of the service orangecrush Tuesday #19
I remember my late uncle telling me that he worked on his planes. I was too young to know who Chappie was at the time. Dan Tuesday #15
Thanks for sharing the memory orangecrush Tuesday #18
Gen.James a true American hero. oasis Tuesday #21
As a USAF Veteran i gotta say... purr-rat beauty 20 hrs ago #23
I was never in the military orangecrush 20 hrs ago #24

electric_blue68

(27,897 posts)
16. In the "VERY IFFY" column! Hopefully soneone(s) will keep an eye whether....
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:51 PM
Tuesday

1) it's returned from where it was "temporarily" removed
2) lands in some obscure location and stays there
😑

I hate these people

calimary

(91,435 posts)
8. Some bathroom in the basement?
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 05:31 PM
Tuesday

I assume we're talking Trump here. That would certainly "honor" him.

Kid Berwyn

(25,475 posts)
5. Trump Hung Portrait of His Hero in the White House
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 04:23 PM
Tuesday


It's from their play date in Alaska last summer...



3catwoman3

(30,163 posts)
20. I won't. I sure would like to know...
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 11:03 PM
Tuesday

...what other portraits, if any, had to be re-located because of the renovations.

TexLaProgressive

(12,834 posts)
10. He was my boss as I was in ADC, although I never had the honor of meeting him
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:18 PM
Tuesday

I know that hogsbreath is racist, but I think he wants to kowtow to his boss, Trumpstein.

I love, "Blackman and Robin" these guys must’ve been loved by their subordinates..What a career from Red Tail to Nam.

wolfie001

(8,178 posts)
11. As expected from the fat racist draft-dodger.....
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:25 PM
Tuesday

...and his drunken fool of a side-kick. Clowns 👎

AverageOldGuy

(4,360 posts)
14. Hegseth did this
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:41 PM
Tuesday

Hegseth is jealous. James was thousands of times the man, the soldier, the leader that Hegseth could ever hope to be. Hegseth is apiece of shit . . . a small but very stinky piece.

orangecrush

(31,826 posts)
19. A drunk pissing all over the honor of the service
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:58 PM
Tuesday

I keep thinking that maybe the military will finally have enough of this pig.

Dan

(5,352 posts)
15. I remember my late uncle telling me that he worked on his planes. I was too young to know who Chappie was at the time.
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:44 PM
Tuesday

purr-rat beauty

(1,633 posts)
23. As a USAF Veteran i gotta say...
Wed Jun 24, 2026, 08:52 AM
20 hrs ago

....the USAF is really turning into a racist pos since butter chunks and the drunken sailor came along.

Until they clean up their act and honor All who have served valiantly....they can rightfully fuck off.

Shame

orangecrush

(31,826 posts)
24. I was never in the military
Wed Jun 24, 2026, 08:57 AM
20 hrs ago

But when I was young, I loved the "Iron Eagle" movies.

I believe the "Chappie" character is very loosely based on Chappie James.

The real man was far more impressive than any movie character.

Treating this mans memory in this fashion is disgraceful.


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