From an interview with History Makers on January 28, 2013:
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James T. Boddie was born on October 18, 1931, in Baltimore, Maryland. Boddie graduated from Fredrick Douglass High School in Baltimore in February 1949. Boddie received his B.S. degree in chemistry from Howard University in 1954, and his M.A. degree in public administration from Auburn University in 1975. In addition, Boddie completed military studies at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1971, and the Air War College in 1975.
Boddie received his U.S. Air Force officer’s commission through the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program at Howard University and then earned his wings in 1956. His first operational assignment was with the 560th Strategic Fighter Squadron at Bergstrom Air Force Base that was equipped with the F-84 Thunderstreak fighter plane. Boddie reported to Nellis Air Force Base in 1957 for gunnery and weapons delivery training in the F-100 Super Sabre. Upon completion, Boddie was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Europe Weapons Center in Tripoli, Libya where he served from until 1961. After his return to the United States in February 1961, Boddie assumed responsibilities as commandant of cadets at the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program at Tuskegee Institute. In 1966, Boddie volunteered for combat duty in Southeast Asia, and was assigned to the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base in the Republic of Vietnam. In addition to his duties as operations and scheduling officer, Boddie completed a total of two-hundred and one F-4 combat missions, fifty-seven of which were flown over North Vietnam. In 1980, Boddie was promoted to Brigadier General. He then served as aviation director in the Aircraft Management office, at NASA Headquarters, from 1991 to 1996; and, between 2006 and 2008, Boddie served as president of Texas Southern University.
Boddie’s experience as a command and combat pilot includes over five-thousand hours in jet fighter aircraft. His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, thirteen Air Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon, the Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Boddie also wears the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff badge.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James T. Boddie, Jr. was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on January 28, 2013.
James T. Boddie, BGen USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on January 6, 2022.
General Boddie was born in Baltimore, Maryland on October 18, 1931. He received his BS degree from Howard Univ., Wash., D.C., in 1954, majoring in Chemistry and Zoology. He is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the Air War College and Auburn Univ. where he earned a Master of Public Administration degree in 1975. He also completed the Senior Managers in Government Program at Harvard Univ., in 1981.
He was commissioned through the AFROTC program at Howard Univ., and completed single engine jet pilot training at Laredo AFB, TX, earning his wings in March 1956. He was then assigned to the 560th Strat Fighter Squadron at Bergstrom AFB, TX which was equipped with the F-84F. In Oct 1957, he completed F-100 training and was sent to the USAFE Weapons Center, Wheelus AB, Libya.
For the next 45 months, he was an instructor and flight test pilot in the T 33, F 86, F 100 and B 57. He returned to the AFROTC program in May 1961 as Commandant of Cadets at Tuskegee Institute. In June 1965, He joined the 4453rd CCTW Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona, where he instructed in F 4s. The following year, he volunteered for combat and was assigned to the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Cam Ranh Bay, RVN. He flew 201, F-4 combat missions including 57 missions over North Vietnam . He returned to Tucson in August 1967 and commanded the F-4 Weapons School until July 1971 when he was assigned to HQ AF Military Personnel Center as chief of the Flying Status Branch.
In 1975, he was sent to HQ TAC, Langley AFB, as chief of the Maintenance Stan Eval Division. In August 1976, he moved to the 347th TFW, Moody AFB, GA, as DC Ops. In June 1978, he became the 51st Comp Wing vice commander at Osan Air Base, The Republic of Korea, and took command in June 1979. He was assigned as deputy DCS operations, J3, OJCS in June 1980 and was assigned duties as the director for planning and resources, J4, in August 1982. He continued these duties until his retirement from active duty on 1 July 1983.
He became president of Texas Southern University from 2006-2008.
General Boddie flew over 5000 hours in jet fighter aircraft. His decorations and awards include the AF Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the DFC, the Meritorious Service Medal with two OLC, the Air Medal with 13 OLC, the AF Commendation Medal, the AF Outstanding Unit award Ribbon with three OLC and “V” device, the Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with three service stars, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Gen. Boddie served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Military Officers Assn. of America, Board of Directors for ESC, Inc., Aerix, Inc., and OTS, Inc.
Known by his friends as “Tim,” General Boddie and his wife of over 50 years, the former Mattye Byrd Dwiggins of Tuskegee, Alabama, were the parents of five sons: Roy (Shelia Dwiggins), William (Bill, Margaret Dwiggins), Horace(deceased), Roy, William, Tim, III (deceased) and Ben; three grandsons: Roy Dwiggins, Jr., Timothy Dwiggins and Austin Dwiggins; one granddaughter: Alexandria (Lexie) Dwiggins; two sisters: Marcia Cummings(deceased), and Dr. Vashti O. Roberts(deceased); one brother, Dr. William L. Boddie; and a host of other relatives and dear friends.
He resided in Plano, Texas and was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The Daedalians, Inc., American Legion, MOAA, MOWW, VFW, and Tuskegee Airman, Inc. Gen. Boddie was in the process of writing his life story when he passed away. The family would like to finish this goal for him. If you have any stories of his friendship with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his days as one of the first black generals, were impacted by him in any way, or have a notable memory, please send a note to genboddiestories@gmail.com.
A funeral was held on January 17th at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home. Please go to teddickeywestfuneral.com to view a livestream of the funeral. A military chapel service was scheduled for June 24 at Arlington National Cemetery.
