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.
Units Assigned
- 1955 Bartow AB, FL (Primary Pilot Tng,), PA-18, T-6Laredo AFB Basic Pilot Tng (Wings, 56-J) (T-28, T-33)
- 1956-1957 560th Strat Ftr Sqdn Bergstrom AFB, TX
- 1957 Luke, Nellis AFB, NV (F84-F, F-100A)
- 1957- 1961 7272 Acft Gunnery Group USAFE Weapons Center Wheelus AB, Libya (F-86E/F, F-100C, T-33, B-57)
- 1961-1965 AFROTC Commandant, Tuskegee Institute, AL/Maxwell AFB, AL (T-33)
- 1965-1966 4453d CCTW, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ (F-4C/D/E)
- 1966-1967 559 TFS, 12th TFW, Cam Ranh Bay AB, RVN (F-4C)
- 1967-1971 4453d CCTW, Weapons School, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ (F-4C)
- 1975-1976 Dir., Maintenance Stan/Eval Div., HQ TAC, Langley AFB, VA
- 1976-1978 347th TFW DO/CV, Moody AFB, GA (F-4E)
- 1978-1980 51st TFW CV/CC, Osan Air Base, ROK (F-4E, OV-10)
- 1980-1983 Deputy J-3, JCS, The Pentagon DC
- 7/1983 Retired USAF
Civilian:
- 1983-1988 – Director, Air Force Requirements, Link Flight Simulation Div. The Singer Co.
- 1988-1991 – VP, Ops and Bus. Dev. Operational Technologies Services Inc., Vienna, VA.
- 1991-1997 – Dir Aviation, (Acft Mgmt Office) NASA HQ, Washington, D.C.
- 1997-2000 – President, GeneSys Industries, Inc., Fort Washington, MD
- 2000-2006 – Vice-Chairman Board of Directors, Military Officers Assn of America, Alexandria, VA
- 2006-2008 – President, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
- 2008-Present – Retired
Awards & Decorations

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

Defense Superior Service Medal

Legion of Merit

Distinguished Flying Cross

Meritorious Service Medal

Air Medal (13)

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

Combat Readiness Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Vietnam Service Medal

Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm

Vietnam Campaign Medal

Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Badge
Flight Info
T-28
T-33
F-84-F
F-100 A/C
F-86 E/F
B-57
F-4 C/D/E
OV-10
Military & Civilian Education
Military Education:
- 1961 Academic Instructor School
- 1962 Sqdn Officers School
- 1972 ICAF
- 1975 Air War College
Civilian Education:
- 1954 BS/Chemistry, Howard University (AFROTC)
- 1975 MPA/Public Administration, Auburn University
- 1981 SMG, Harvard University