MUSEUM COLLECTION

General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr., was the first USAF African-American 4-star general. Upon being promoted to 4-star grade on Sept. 1, 1975, General James was assigned as Commander in Chief North American Air Defense Command and Aerospace Defense Command, a position he held until his retirement on Feb. 1, 1978. He died 24 days later. General James, a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen during WWII also served in the Korean and Southeast Asian Conflicts. 

As a tribute to this great American, the McChord Air Museum currently displays "Chappies" personal F-106 luggage pod that was used by the General during his Command of the North American Aerospace Defense Command.      

General "Chappie" James served as Vice Commander of the 8th TFW "Wolfpack" during his tour in the Vietnam War. A compressive history of General James life can be found in the Museums gallery. 

General James's red, white, and blue travel pod is pictured in front  of the museums F-106.