Daniel James III
Encyclopedia
Lt. Gen. Daniel James III was the director of the Air National Guard from June 1994 to June 2006 when he retired from the Air Force. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, from the University of Arizona, Tucson, and attended Air Command and staff collage in 1981 and the National Security management course in 1992.
He performed 500 combat flying hours on southeast Asia and earned two distinguished flying crosses. He was the first African-American to become the director of the Air National Guard
He performed 500 combat flying hours on southeast Asia and earned two distinguished flying crosses. He was the first African-American to become the director of the Air National Guard
Major awards and decorations
Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force)
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Presidential Unit Citation (United States)
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness MedalCombat Readiness MedalThe Combat Readiness Medal is an award of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1964. The original Combat Readiness Medal was an award senior to the Air Force Commendation Medal and was awarded for superior and meritorious duty to the United States Air Force...
with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
with two bronze stars
Vietnam Service MedalVietnam Service MedalThe Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
with four bronze stars
Global War on Terrorism Service MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalThe Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003...
Air Force Longevity Service AwardAir Force Longevity Service AwardThe Air Force Longevity Service Award is a military award of the United States Air Force which was first issued in 1957 by order of General Thomas D. White, Air Force Chief of Staff...
Ribbon with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve MedalArmed Forces Reserve MedalThe Armed Forces Reserve Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1950. The medal recognizes service performed by the Reserve and National Guard forces of the United States of America....
with gold hourglass device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training RibbonAir Force Training RibbonThe Air Force Training Ribbon is the lowest military award of the United States Air Force, ranking only above foreign military awards.The Air Force Training Ribbon was authorized by the Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force on October 12, 1980. It is awarded to U.S. Air Force service members on completion...
Vietnam Gallantry CrossVietnam Gallantry CrossThe Vietnam Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which wasestablished in August 1950. Also known as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross was awarded to any military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an...
with Silver Star
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal- Order of the Sword (United States) # 221Order of the Sword (United States)The Order of the Sword is an honor awarded within the U.S. Air Force. It is defined in the Airman's Guide by Boone Nicolls as a "special program where noncommisioned officers of a command recognize individuals they hold in high esteem and wish to honor...
ASSIGNMENTS
- June 1968 - June 1969, student, undergraduate pilot training, Williams Air Force Base, Ariz.
- June 1969 - August 1970, forward air controller, Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, South VietnamSouth VietnamSouth Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
- August 1970 - July 1972, squadron instructor pilot, Williams AFB, Ariz.
- July 1972 - February 1973, squadron flight training class commander, Williams AFB, Ariz.
- February 1973 - December 1973, air operations staff officer, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- December 1973 - June 1974, U.S. Air Force conversion training course, George AFB, Calif.
- June 1974 - May 1975, squadron assistant flight commander, Udorn Royal Thai AFB, ThailandThailandThailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
- May 1975 - August 1976, squadron pilot, Nellis AFB, Nev.
- August 1976 - September 1978, squadron flight commander, Nellis AFB, Nev.
- September 1978 - September 1979, weapons tactics officer, 149th Tactical Fighter Group, Kelly AFB, Texas
- September 1979 - March 1982, group pilot, later, unit pilot, 182nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kelly AFB, Texas
- March 1982 - December 1983, unit commander, 182nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kelly AFB, Texas
- December 1983 - October 1988, Commander, A flight, 182nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kelly AFB, Texas
- October 1988 - October 1989, pilot, C flight, 182nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kelly AFB, Texas
- October 1989 - December 1992, command post assistant officer-in-charge, later, command post officer-in-charge, 149th Tactical Fighter Group, Kelly AFB, Texas
- December 1992 - December 1994, Vice Commander, 149th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kelly AFB, Texas
- December 1994 - November 1995, Commander, 149th Operations Group, Kelly AFB, Texas
- November 1995 - June 2002, Adjutant General, Headquarters Texas National GuardTexas National GuardThe Texas National Guard consists of the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. The Guard is administered by the adjutant general, an appointee of the governor of Texas. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state...
, Austin - June 2002 - 2006, Director, Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
, Arlington, Va.