Born in this house on February 11, 1920, Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr., became the first African-American four-star general in the United States Armed Forces. General James attended his mother’s school on this site and, after graduation from Washington High School in 1937, attended Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. While there, General James completed instruction in the Civilian Pilot Training Program and then served as a civilian instructor in the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program until January 1943. James received his commission as a second lieutenant in July 1943 after completing this same program. Fighter pilot training followed next at Selfridge Field in Michigan. General James died in February 1978, shortly after his retirement as special assistant to the chief of staff, U.S. Air Force.