Benjamin O. Davis Sr
Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. () was the first African American general in the regular United States Armed Services. He assisted in developing and implementing a plan for the limited desegregation of U.S. combat forces in Europe during World War II.
Benjamin O. Davis was born on July 1, , to Henrietta Stewart Davis and Louis P. H. Davis of Washington, D.C. He attended public schools and college in the nation's capital, ultimately graduating from Howard University.
Davis was commissioned a first lieutenant in the 8th U.S. Volunteer Infantry in , thus beginning a distinguished military career which spanned half a century, four continents, and three major wars. Davis served in Cuba during the Spanish American War. Later he was stationed with the 9th Cavalry, one of two units of "Buffalo Soldiers" on the western frontier. The "Buffalo Soldiers," as the Indians called the African American regiments, were Indian fighters whose buffalo hide camouflage and reputation as fierce warriors won them their unusual nickname.
Subsequent tours of duty took Davis to the Philippines, Africa, Europe, and various places within the United States. He also taught military sc
Benjamin O. Davis Sr. ()
Benjamin O. Davis Sr. was the first African American to be named a general in the American military. Davis claimed to have been born on July 1, , but according to some sources, his birthdate may have been in May , and he lied about his age to enlist in the Army without his parents&#; permission. Davis was born in Washington, D.C., to Louis P. H. Davis and Henrietta Stewart Davis. His father was a messenger for the Interior Department, and his mother was a nurse. Davis attended M Street High School in Washington, D.C., but during his senior year, he took classes at Howard University.
Because of his cadet training in high school, Davis entered the U.S. Army on July 13, , during the Spanish-American War. He was a temporary first lieutenant assigned to the 8th United States Volunteer Infantry, an all-Black unit stationed at Chickamauga Park, Georgia, from October until the unit disbanded in March after the end of the war. On June 18, Davis reentered the Army as a private with the 10th Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers) and was stationed at Fort Duchesne, Utah. Within a year, Davis rose to the rank of sergeant major. Lieutenant Charles Young, the only Black officer
Davis, Benjamin O., Sr
Born May 28,
Washington, D.C.
Died November 26,
Chicago, Illinois
The first African American general
in the United States Army
For most of Benjamin Davis's military career, which spanned more than fifty years, the United States armed forces (including the army, navy, marines, and air force) were segregated. Even though African Americans had taken part in every military conflict in American history, it was thought that black and white soldiers should not fight side by side—that, in fact, black soldiers should not fight at all but should perform such jobs as cleaning and cooking meals. In addition, there was little opportunity for African Americans to advance in their military careers. Despite this discrimination, Davis rose slowly through the ranks to become a general. During World War II, he advised military leaders on ways to integrate the forces, and he worked to resolve racial conflicts. Thus he helped to lay a foundation for the changes that would later come, when blacks finally achieved equal status with whites in the military.
A hard-working family
Davis was born into a family whose ancestors were freed blacks (former slaves who ha
Benjamin O. Davis Sr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr. | |
|---|---|
Davis in France on August 8, | |
| Born | May (per census document) July 1, (official) Washington, D.C., United States |
| Died | November 26, Aged 90 (per census document) Aged 93 (official) Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery, United States |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | – |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
| Unit | 9th Cavalry |
| Commands held | th Infantry Regiment 4th Cavalry Brigade |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War Philippine–American War World War I World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Bronze Star French Croix de Guerre Africa Star |
| Relations | Son – Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., USAF |
Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr. (July 1, – November 26, ) was a United States Army officer. In , he became the first African-American to rise to the rank of brigadier general. He was the father of Air Force Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis Jr.. According to historian Russell Weigley, his career is significant not for his personal accomplishments, because he was only all
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