One of Pensacola’s favorite sons and a true national treasure would turn 104 years old on Sunday if still alive.
Yet even though Air Force Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. − the nation’s first Black four-star general − died in 1978 at the age of 58, his legacy has never burned brighter.
There is a museum in downtown Pensacola that pays tribute to James; there is a Flight Academy in his name that teaches young people the science of aerodynamics and actually lets the youngsters fly at the end of the camp; the iconic Pensacola Bay Bridge is now the Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. Bridge, and a local group is working to create a memorial to James at the foot of the bridge.
On Saturday, a day before his birthday, the Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. Museum of Pensacola will hold an informal community social to celebrate James’ massive legacy from 1 to 3 p.m. The museum is located at 1606 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. One of James’ sons, Claude James, will attend.
“If you stop to think of it, he might be the most notable African-American citizen from Pensacola,” said C.J. Charles, who works with the museum. “He didn’t always get this kind of publicity.”