Benjamin o davis jr family

Benjamin O. Davis Jr.

World War II pilot & first African-American US Air Force general officer (1912–2002)

Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. (December 18, 1912 – July 4, 2002) was a United States Air Force (USAF) general and commander of the World War IITuskegee Airmen.

He was the first African-American brigadier general in the USAF. On December 9, 1998, he was advanced to four-star general by President Bill Clinton. During World War II, Davis was commander of the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group, which escorted bombers on air combat missions over Europe. Davis flew sixty missions in P-39 Airacobra, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, P-47 Thunderbolt, and P-51 Mustang fighters and was one of the first African-American pilots to see combat. Davis followed in his father's footsteps in breaking racial barriers, as Benjamin O. Davis Sr. had been the first black brigadier general in the United States Army.[citation needed]

Early life

Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. was born in Washington, D.C. on December 18, 1912, the second of three children born to Benjamin O

Benjamin O. Davis Sr.

Benjamin O. Davis Sr.
Brigadier General
9th Cavalry Regiment
July 1, 1877 -November 26, 1970

Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. watches a Signal Corps crew erecting poles, somewhere in France. Aug. 8, 1944. National Archives.

African American Soldiers have served in the American military since the Revolutionary War. Many, like Brig. Gen. Benjamin Davis Sr., pushed against racial boundaries to better the situation of future Black Soldiers. Davis began his Army service in a segregated unit. Still, he strove throughout his career to fight against segregation, becoming the first Black general in the U.S. Army. Davis spent over 40 years in the Army, serving in combat, diplomatic, and administrative roles around the world. His service inspired many Black Soldiers, including his son, to work through the barriers of segregation they faced in the Army.

Benjamin Oliver Davis was born in Washington, D.C. on July 1, 1877, though he likely forged his birthdate to sign up for the Army in 1898. Born to Louis P. H. and Henrietta Davis, whose parents were e

Benjamin O. Davis Sr.

United States Army general (1877-1970)

Benjamin O. Davis Sr.

U.S. Department of War photo of Davis, circa 1945

Born(1877-07-01)July 1, 1877
Washington, D.C., United States
DiedNovember 20, 1970(1970-11-20) (aged 93)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Buried

Arlington National Cemetery

AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchDistrict of Columbia National Guard
United States Army
Years of service1898 (National Guard)
1898–1948 (Army)
RankBrigadier general
Service numberO1217
UnitU.S. Army Cavalry Branch
CommandsTroop B, 9th Cavalry Regiment
Supply Troop, 9th Cavalry Regiment
3rd Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment
1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment
Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Tuskegee Institute
Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Wilberforce College
369th Infantry Regiment
369th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment
4th Cavalry Brigade
2nd Cavalry Division
Battles / warsSpanish–American War
Philippine–American War
Mexican Border War
World War I
World War II
AwardsArmy Disti

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