In 1987, President Ronald Reagan dedicated a center at Tuskegee University to honor General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr., saying, “He had four stars on his shoulder and 50 stars on his heart.” Reagan described James as “one of America’s best,” whose judgment and courage were vital to our nation’s defense and survival.
FIVE YEARS LOST
However, the effort to complement the bridge named in his honor with a memorial plaza has been bogged down in controversy. In July 2020, the week after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill naming the bridge, the PNJ reported that the General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. Memorial Foundation announced that it would raise funds to build a memorial to honor James. Five years later, we still don’t have anything.
- The General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. Memorial Foundation has repeatedly missed deadlines and changed plans. In 2022, the Foundation chairman predicted completion by the end of that year, along with a dedication ceremony in early 2023. Yet today, the plaza remains merely a rendering, and the Foundation continues to seek additional taxpayer funding while evading questions about its finances.
PENSACOLA’S MOST FAMOUS WAR HERO
Chappie James is undoubtedly Pensacola’s most prominent veteran and arguably its most historic native son. His legacy is commemorated throughout our city with a museum, flight academy, park, state office building and numerous other tributes. This recognition is well-deserved for a man whose remarkable journey took him from a small house on Alcaniz Street to becoming the first Black four-star general in U.S. history.
- James’ education began at his mother’s private school for Black children. Lillie James was a “model teacher” who instilled discipline and high expectations in all her students. Her famous 11th Commandment—“Thou Shalt Not Quit”—shaped young Chappie’s character and guided him throughout his distinguished military career.
After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, James attended Tuskegee Institute, where he found his purpose in life through aviation. As a Tuskegee Airman, he became part of one of the most celebrated fighter groups in American military history. His service spanned three wars—World War II, Korea and Vietnam—where he flew over 170 combat missions combined.
James was not only a remarkable pilot; he was also a brave advocate for equality. During his early service, he challenged military segregation by participating in acts of civil disobedience that helped pave the way for the integration of the Armed Forces through President Truman’s Executive Order 9981.
Rising steadily through the ranks, James earned his fourth star in 1975, making history as the highest-ranking Black officer in U.S. history. One of his final prestigious posts was commanding the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), where he was responsible for our nation’s nuclear defense during the height of the Cold War.
- When Pensacola residents were surveyed about renaming the Three-Mile Bridge, they chose Chappie James by a margin of 7-to-1 over the incumbent namesake. In 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation officially designating the structure as the General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. Bridge.
MANY QUESTIONS, FEW ANSWERS
Documents obtained through public records requests reveal discrepancies in the Foundation’s financial reporting. Despite receiving grants from the City of Pensacola, the State of Florida and corporate donors, the Foundation appears to have been insolvent at various points while publicly asserting its readiness to begin construction.
- Even more concerning, the Foundation has not complied with the reporting requirements in its stewardship agreement with the City of Pensacola, which mandates annual financial statements and gives the City the right to inspect or audit the Foundation’s records.
CITY & COUNTY MUST RESCUE HIS LEGACY
- A man who broke racial barriers and rose to command our nation’s nuclear defenses deserves nothing less than a memorial built with the same values by which he lived his life. Our community embraced Chappie James as a hero, overwhelmingly supporting the renaming of the bridge. Now, we must ensure his memorial is completed with integrity, transparency and excellence.
Let us remember Miss Lillie’s command—“Thou Shalt Not Quit”—and apply it to our collective responsibility: properly honoring her remarkable son.