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orangecrush

(31,821 posts)
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 04:01 PM 22 hrs ago

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

electric_blue68

(27,886 posts)
16. In the "VERY IFFY" column! Hopefully soneone(s) will keep an eye whether....
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:51 PM
19 hrs ago

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

I hate these people

calimary

(91,427 posts)
8. Some bathroom in the basement?
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 05:31 PM
20 hrs ago

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

Kid Berwyn

(25,473 posts)
5. Trump Hung Portrait of His Hero in the White House
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 04:23 PM
21 hrs ago


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



3catwoman3

(30,151 posts)
20. I won't. I sure would like to know...
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 11:03 PM
15 hrs ago

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

TexLaProgressive

(12,833 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
19 hrs ago

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
19 hrs ago

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

AverageOldGuy

(4,357 posts)
14. Hegseth did this
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:41 PM
19 hrs ago

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

(31,821 posts)
19. A drunk pissing all over the honor of the service
Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:58 PM
19 hrs ago

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
19 hrs ago

purr-rat beauty

(1,629 posts)
23. As a USAF Veteran i gotta say...
Wed Jun 24, 2026, 08:52 AM
5 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

(31,821 posts)
24. I was never in the military
Wed Jun 24, 2026, 08:57 AM
5 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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