James L. Shipley was born on Jun 29, 1923, in Tipton, Missouri.

Shipley always knew he wanted to be a mechanic.

James fascination for engines prompted him to sign up with an all-Black fighter group, now known as the legendary Tuskegee Airmen.

In 1942, at 19 years old, he volunteered to join the all-Black Army Air Corps at a time when many did not believe African Americans should be i the United States Armed Forces.

“They said we couldn't fly,” Shipley said.

“They said we didn't have brains enough to do these things.

We had to prove to the world that we could.” After completing his basic training at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, he started aircraft mechanics school, where he learned how to rebuild and assemble all parts of the airplane, their operation, and how to get them read for preflight and post-flight.

He was then deployed to Italy as a crew chief and earned the rank of staff sergeant.

Following the war, James returned to Tipton, married his wife Mildred and helped raise three children.

He enjoyed a 29 year career as an auto mechanic, as well as raising and butchering hogs, owning and operating a gas station, and working for Com Electric Cooperative in Tipton.

He was also very active in his community, serving in various roles for Prairie Grove Baptist Church, mentoring youth, and serving his community for over 80 years.

It was not until many years after Shipleys service in World War Two that he received long overdue recognition for his service.

In 2007, Shipley received a replic of the Congressional Gold Medal that President George W Bush presented collectively to the Tuskegee Airmen as a unit for their stellar record in combat.

It is the highest honor Congress can give civilians.

In 2017 the biography “Together As One: The Legacy of James Shipley World War II Two Tuskegee Airmen” was written by Jeremy Amick.

James passed away on July 2nd, 2022 at the age of 99, and was laid to rest at the State Veteran's Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri.