All-Star General's talk

By Earl Otis - Tacoma News Tribune - 26 January 1976

Big enough to be impressive even without his four stars and appearing as fit as the All American tackle he once was, General Daniel James Jr. visited one of his prize-winning units at McChord Air Force Base Saturday.

As Commander-in-Chief of the North American Air Defense Command and the nation's first and only black four star General, James offered his own congratulations to the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron as it was presented the Hughes Aircraft Company's Achievement Award. The trophy honors the outstanding U.S. Air Force (fighter) squadron in the country.

Earlier, during a press conference, Gen. James, 55, contended that detente can become reality only from a position of military strength and he predicted that Congress will continue to give needed support.

At the present time, he said, this country is "essentially equivalent to other world powers.

Asked about UFO reports earlier in the day out of Clovis, NM, General James reiterated that extensive research by the Air Force has not turned up anything of substance.

Equality in the military and the POW-MIA issue were also touched on by Gen James before he moved to formal ceremonies on the flightline.

An Air Force officer since 1943 and a four-star general since September, James praised the military for "eliminating institutional racism.

"If the civilian sector would catch up to the military in this respect, we'd be a lot better off."

"I can remember watching the military cadets march past when you had to look closely to see anything other than white cadets. Today it looks like a checker-board," he said.

No longer able to name all of the black military generals, James said the Air Force has five or six and the Army as many as 20.

No longer able to name all of the black military generals, James said the Air Force has five or six and the Army as many as 20.

Quizzed about the POW-MIA issue, the former fighter pilot in both Korea and Vietnam, said he feels it is unreasonable to expect that all of the men lost in that war or any war can be accounted for totally.

"I don't believe there are any of our people still alive   in the hands of the enemy," he said.

Joined by Tacoma Mayor Gordon Johnston on the speaker's platform facing the members of the 318th, General James told the airmen: "As warriors, we are dedicated for the cause of peace but we won't accept peace at any price. It is the height of indignity to feel nothing is worth fighting for."

Among the guests Jan Barmore, of Tacoma, who was General James' wingman on more than 50 missions when the two of them were flying P-51 fighters during Korean War. Retired since 1963, Barmore is now an insurance agent.

After a luncheon at the base's Non-Commissioned Officers Club, General James left McChord in his T-39 jet for a return to his headquarters at Ent AFB, CO.