Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

orangecrush

(31,935 posts) Tue Jun 23, 2026, 04:01 PM Jun 23

65

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

?is=eWq9-7JHNCF3WUB3

30 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Black USAF Hero "Chappie" James Portrait Removed from Pentagon (Original Post) orangecrush Jun 23 OP

🤬 after the renovations, return his portrait to a place of honor Deuxcents Jun 23 #1

Renovations? orangecrush Jun 23 #4

In the "VERY IFFY" column! Hopefully soneone(s) will keep an eye whether.... electric_blue68 Jun 23 #16

Some bathroom in the basement? calimary Jun 23 #8

There are no non-white heroes malaise Jun 23 #2

everything they tear down will be restored eShirl Jun 23 #3

Trump Hung Portrait of His Hero in the White House Kid Berwyn Jun 23 #5

I absolutely hate those bastards. nt hookaleft Jun 23 #6

The Secretary needs to go NOW, with tremendous prejudice dave99 Jun 23 #7

This had damned well better be temporary. 3catwoman3 Jun 23 #9

Don't bet in it orangecrush Jun 23 #12

I won't. I sure would like to know... 3catwoman3 Jun 23 #20

Safe bet orangecrush Jun 24 #22

He was my boss as I was in ADC, although I never had the honor of meeting him TexLaProgressive Jun 23 #10

What a morale boost that had to be orangecrush Jun 23 #13

The Red Tails! electric_blue68 Jun 23 #17

As expected from the fat racist draft-dodger..... wolfie001 Jun 23 #11

Hegseth did this AverageOldGuy Jun 23 #14

A drunk pissing all over the honor of the service orangecrush Jun 23 #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 Jun 23 #15

Thanks for sharing the memory orangecrush Jun 23 #18

Gen.James a true American hero. oasis Jun 23 #21

As a USAF Veteran i gotta say... purr-rat beauty Jun 24 #23

I was never in the military orangecrush Jun 24 #24

Disgusting. Scott Alan Swaggerty Tuesday #25

I lived in Pensacola for many years. HappyH Tuesday #26

WTF??? GCG Tuesday #27

The Blue Screw orangecrush Tuesday #30

"But the Air Force says it was relocated...." area51 Tuesday #28

Somewhere it won't be seen or remembered orangecrush Tuesday #29

Deuxcents

(28,353 posts)

1. 🤬 after the renovations, return his portrait to a place of honor

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 04:05 PM

Jun 23

orangecrush

(31,935 posts)

4. Renovations?

Reply to Deuxcents (Reply #1)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 04:18 PM

Jun 23

I don't believe that for a second.

electric_blue68

(28,006 posts)

16. In the "VERY IFFY" column! Hopefully soneone(s) will keep an eye whether....

Reply to orangecrush (Reply #4)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:51 PM

Jun 23

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

I hate these people

calimary

(91,559 posts)

8. Some bathroom in the basement?

Reply to Deuxcents (Reply #1)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 05:31 PM

Jun 23

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

malaise

(299,841 posts)

2. There are no non-white heroes

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 04:08 PM

Jun 23

In the KKKs America

eShirl

(20,551 posts)

3. everything they tear down will be restored

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 04:13 PM

Jun 23

Kid Berwyn

(25,579 posts)

5. Trump Hung Portrait of His Hero in the White House

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 04:23 PM

Jun 23

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

hookaleft

(1,450 posts)

6. I absolutely hate those bastards. nt

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 04:24 PM

Jun 23

dave99

(710 posts)

7. The Secretary needs to go NOW, with tremendous prejudice

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 05:27 PM

Jun 23

3catwoman3

(30,273 posts)

9. This had damned well better be temporary.

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:03 PM

Jun 23

orangecrush

(31,935 posts)

12. Don't bet in it

Reply to 3catwoman3 (Reply #9)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:38 PM

Jun 23

3catwoman3

(30,273 posts)

20. I won't. I sure would like to know...

Reply to orangecrush (Reply #12)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 11:03 PM

Jun 23

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

orangecrush

(31,935 posts)

22. Safe bet

Reply to 3catwoman3 (Reply #20)

Wed Jun 24, 2026, 08:14 AM

Jun 24

All non white and women

TexLaProgressive

(12,853 posts)

10. He was my boss as I was in ADC, although I never had the honor of meeting him

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:18 PM

Jun 23

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.

orangecrush

(31,935 posts)

13. What a morale boost that had to be

Reply to TexLaProgressive (Reply #10)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:40 PM

Jun 23

For Airmen of any race!

electric_blue68

(28,006 posts)

17. The Red Tails!

Reply to TexLaProgressive (Reply #10)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:52 PM

Jun 23

wolfie001

(8,234 posts)

11. As expected from the fat racist draft-dodger.....

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:25 PM

Jun 23

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

AverageOldGuy

(4,397 posts)

14. Hegseth did this

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:41 PM

Jun 23

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

(31,935 posts)

19. A drunk pissing all over the honor of the service

Reply to AverageOldGuy (Reply #14)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:58 PM

Jun 23

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

Dan

(5,353 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.

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:44 PM

Jun 23

orangecrush

(31,935 posts)

18. Thanks for sharing the memory

Reply to Dan (Reply #15)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 06:57 PM

Jun 23

oasis

(54,392 posts)

21. Gen.James a true American hero.

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 23, 2026, 11:10 PM

Jun 23

Hopefully Hegseth won’t destroy his portrait.

purr-rat beauty

(1,692 posts)

23. As a USAF Veteran i gotta say...

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Wed Jun 24, 2026, 08:52 AM

Jun 24

....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

(31,935 posts)

24. I was never in the military

Reply to purr-rat beauty (Reply #23)

Wed Jun 24, 2026, 08:57 AM

Jun 24

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.

Scott Alan Swaggerty

(370 posts)

25. Disgusting.

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 30, 2026, 10:38 AM

Tuesday

HappyH

(299 posts)

26. I lived in Pensacola for many years.

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 30, 2026, 10:49 AM

Tuesday

General James was respected and loved by the community. This bone headed move will not score any points for the MAGA there.

GCG

(141 posts)

27. WTF???

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 30, 2026, 11:13 AM

Tuesday

When a branch of the US military fails to stand up for their heroes and offer nothing more then a mealy mouthed excuse...then that branch is nothing more then a place for back stabbing, rat fucking, COWARDS!!!

orangecrush

(31,935 posts)

30. The Blue Screw

Reply to GCG (Reply #27)

Tue Jun 30, 2026, 12:05 PM

Tuesday

area51

(12,801 posts)

28. "But the Air Force says it was relocated...."

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Tue Jun 30, 2026, 11:34 AM

Tuesday

To where? The basement? The trashcan?

orangecrush

(31,935 posts)

29. Somewhere it won't be seen or remembered

Reply to area51 (Reply #28)

Tue Jun 30, 2026, 12:02 PM

Tuesday

Reply to this discussion

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Black USAF Hero "Chappie"...