Ceremony Honors James

Lt. Gen. Daniel James III formally retired Wednesday as the director of the Air National Guard, serving in that post since June 2002. Over his 38-year career, James accumulated more than 4,000 flying hours, including flying 300 combat missions in Vietnam and earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses. In a speech at Andrews AFB, Md., in March, James thanked ANG airmen for their service, – emphasizing the role of the Air Guard in securing America’s skies after the 9/11 attacks and moving 48,000 Guard members to the Gulf Coast after last year’s Hurricane Katrina. “You make it look so effortless,” he said. “Thank you all for what you do.”