Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Jr.

Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Jr.
(1912-2002)
   Born the son of the U.S. Army’s first black general, Benjamin O. Davis Jr. attended the University of Chicago before he became the first African American in the 20th century to graduate from West Point Military Academy in 1936. He was only the second black officer at the time, his father, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., being the other. Although he wanted to serve in the Army Air Corps, Davis was excluded on grounds of color. He was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. However, he was subsequently posted to Tuskegee Institute, where he was among the first black pilots to get their wings in 1942. In 1943, as lieutenant colonel, he was given command of the all-black 99th Pursuit Squadron and posted to North Africa. He subsequently went to Italy in command of the 332nd Fighter Group. He flew more than 60 missions and in 1944 was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
   After World War II, Davis was involved in devising plans for the integration of the air force, and he commanded a fighter group during the Korean War. He was promoted to lieutenant general in 1965, and in 1967 he became chief of staff of U.S. forces in Korea. Davis retired from the army in 1970 and in 1971 was assistant secretary of transportation. He retired in 1975. In 1998, President Bill Clinton awarded him a fourth star to make him a full general.

Historical Dictionary of the Roosevelt–Truman Era . . 2015.

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  • Davis,Benjamin Oliver — Davis, Benjamin Oliver. 1877 1970. American cavalry officer who was the first African American general in the U.S. Army (1940 1948). His son Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr. (born 1912), was the first African American general in the U.S. Air Force… …   Universalium

  • Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Jr. — ▪ 2003       general (ret.), U.S. Air Force (b. Dec. 18, 1912, Washington, D.C. d. July 4, 2002, Washington, D.C.), became the first African American general in the U.S. Air Force and in World War II led the 332nd Fighter Group the Tuskegee… …   Universalium

  • Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Sr. — (1880 1970)    The first African American general in the U.S. Army, Benjamin O. Davis Sr. was born in Washington, D.C., where he attended high school and took part time classes at Howard University. In 1898, he joined the 8th Volunteer Infantry… …   Historical Dictionary of the Roosevelt–Truman Era

  • Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Sr. — ▪ United States general born July 1, 1877, Washington, D.C., U.S. died November 26, 1970, North Chicago, Ill.       soldier who became the first black general in the U.S. Army.       After serving as a volunteer in the Spanish American War (1898) …   Universalium

  • Benjamin Oliver Davis — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Benjamin Oliver Davis Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr. (18 de diciembre de 1912, Washington D. C. 4 de julio de 2002, Washington D. C.) fue un piloto estadounidense, el primer a …   Wikipedia Español

  • Davis, Benjamin O., Jr. — ▪ United States general in full  Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr.  born December 18, 1912, Washington, D.C., U.S. died July 4, 2002, Washington, D.C.       pilot, officer, and administrator who became the first African American general in the U.S. Air… …   Universalium

  • Benjamin Oliver Davis —  Cette page d’homonymie répertorie différentes personnes partageant un même nom. Benjamin Oliver Davis peut faire référence à : Benjamin Oliver Davis, Sr. (1877 1970), premier général afro américain de l US Army. Benjamin Oliver Davis,… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr. — Benjamin Oliver Davis (18 décembre 1912 à Washington, D.C.– 4 juillet 2002 à Washington, D.C. aux États Unis) est un général de l United States Air Force, commandant pendant l …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Davis — /day vis/, n. 1. Alexander Jackson, 1803 92, U.S. architect. 2. Benjamin Oliver, 1877 1970, U.S. military officer: first black Army brigadier general. 3. his son, Benjamin Oliver, Jr., born 1912, U.S. military officer: first black Air Force… …   Universalium

  • benjamin — /ben jeuh meuhn/, n. benzoin1 (def. 2). [1570 80; alter. (by assoc. with the proper name) of benjoin, early form of BENZOIN1] * * * (as used in expressions) Banneker Benjamin Benjamin Judah Philip Benjamin Walter Benjamin Kubelsky Bloch Marc… …   Universalium

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