ISSUES #22: MAY 2016
BLACK HISTORY
JULY 2015
THE STORY OF:
GENERAL
BENJAMIN O.
DAVIS
"The privileges of being an American belong to those brave enough to fight for them"
- Benjamin O. Davis
Research by: Masai M. Heard
B
enjamin Oliver Davis Sr. was born on July 1, 1877 I Washington, D.C. he served as a U.S. general and soldier. He broke new ground by becoming recognized as the first African-American general in the United States Army after starting as a volunteer in the Spanish-American War in 1898.
Davis received his commission in 1901 and was made second lieutenant for the regular army. The widespread prejudice against African Americans did not stop Davis on the road to success. He rose in ranks and became a brigadier general in 1940. He retired on July 31, 1941, and was ordered to come back to active duty with the rank of brigadier general the following day.
His first service as a commissioned officer of the Regular Army was in the Philippine Islands with the 9th Cavalry on the Island of Samar. He was assigned to work with the 2nd Squadron (10th cavalry) and returned from the Philippines with that organization as an adjutant at Ft. Washakie, Wyoming. Davis was made Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Wilberforce University in Ohio. He remained there until September of 1909.
After a short duty tour in Ft. Ethan Allen, Vermont he was assigned to Monrovia, Liberia for three additional years. In a plot to avoid putting Davis in command of white troops and Officers, he was given several postings, including in Liberia. Also, it took a longer duration of time for Davis to rise through each rank because the postings he was assigned to were not high profile jobs.
He didn’t receive his colonel’s eagle until 1930. Davis got his first independent command in 1938, the 369th National Guard Infantry Regiment. Once he was promoted to brigadier many saw it as a political action from President Roosevelt.
Davis spent majority of his time teaching others During World War II. He held many posts, including assistant to the Inspector General. One of his most crucial roles at this time was an adviser on African-American issues in Europe.
A large number of black soldiers were upset by the discriminatory encounters faced between them and white soldiers. They were also upset because they had little involvement in combat during duty. Davis offered advice on how to improve this situation and lessen the sense of discrimination between all of the U.S. troops, since he was a military officer and a very important black community member. This led to the army’s agreement to set aside their differences and work together in Europe.
Davis is receiving the Bronze Star Medal and Distinguished Medal of Honor after leaving the army.
Davis finally left the military I 1948, after serving his country for 50 years. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Distinguished Medal. He married twice and had three children. His son (Benjamin O. Davis Jr.) followed in his footsteps and became a general in the U.S. Air Force as well. Davis later died on November 26, 1970 from leukemia.
SOURCE: http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent?file=ML_bendavis_bkp
SOURCE: http://www.biography.com/people/benjamin-o-davis-sr-9267726
SOURCE: http://www.history.army.mil/html/topics/afam/davis.html
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