Air Force cites 'renovations' as reason for 'relocation' of Gen. 'Chappie' James portrait

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Concerns are growing about a celebrated Pensacola veteran's portrait being removed from the Pentagon. But the Air Force says it was relocated after art gallery renovations.

This surfaced after a report in "The Atlantic." The article says several people noticed General Daniel "Chappie" James Jr.'s photo was missing. Historians describe him as a trailblazer.

Chappie James has been memorialized in Pensacola through a bridge named after him, a museum, a flight academy and a state office building.

Now, people are trying to confirm if and why this photo was taken down from the Air Force Art Gallery.

The road to becoming the first Black four-star general in the U.S. Air Force wasn’t easy, but James got it done.

"He was just very impressive with anything he touched," said Chappie James Museum President Ross Pristera.

James always had a knack for aviation. He emerged as a historic Tuskegee airman, completing his pilot certification in 1942. He fought in three wars, became an educator and worked at the Pentagon.

"His mother set in him, 'Thou shall never quit,' and he took that to heart, and always persistent whatever challenge was against him," Pristera said. "He rose above it."

James' career was riddled with racial injustice, climbing the military ranks during desegregation. Now, 48 years after his death that fight still continues.

The latest jab was his portrait being removed from the Air Force Art Gallery at the Pentagon in D.C.

"Unfortunately, it wasn't anything that was super surprising for the family because we've been in this fight," said Britt James, granddaughter of Chappie James. "And honestly, it's been years that we've been hearing about, you know, his book coming out of libraries as well."

Britt says she first heard about the portrait coming down 18 months ago. She says her grandfather's photo wasn't the only one removed.

"It was kind of a clean sweep is what we were told just by our own sources... It seems like it would all be connected," said Britt. "And what that criteria was, could it be DEI? Possibly, but when you look at who it was, it is all backgrounds and all levels of accomplishment."

Britt says the family hasn't gotten an answer for why the photo was removed.

WEAR News reached out to the Pentagon for more details. Staff referred us to the Air Force, who shared the following statement:

The Department of the Air Force maintains an active art program featuring historical portraits and artwork throughout dedicated corridors in the Pentagon. Curators routinely rotate these pieces to refresh displays, loan artwork to other Air Force installations, and temporarily remove items for preservation, restoration, cleaning, or during office and corridor renovations.

A portrait of General Daniel 'Chappie' James was relocated from the Air Force Art Gallery to a corridor near the Tuskegee Airmen gallery during renovations that began in 2023 and are still ongoing. This piece is one of five portraits of General James displayed within the Pentagon by the Air Force.

For now, Pristera says he wants to see the portrait returned to the Pentagon.

"He was just so inspirational and such a good combat fighter and leader that it's a disservice to to his name and to family and community," Pristera said.

It's unclear if the portrait will return to its original spot.

Chappie's granddaughter Britt says the focus is now on making his story more accessible to the public. She and the family wants to ensure his legacy lives on, and that his story is told the right way.