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

Gen. Benjamin Oliver Davis, Sr. (1877/1880 – November 26, 1970) was an American general and the father of Benjamin O. Davis Jr. He was the first African-American general in the U.S. Army. Download high resolution version (1105x1338, 183 KB)Brig. ... Download high resolution version (1105x1338, 183 KB)Brig. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1877 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1880 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... November 26 is the 330th day (331st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. ... Jump to: navigation, search African Americans, also known as Afro-Americans, Black Americans, or simply blacks are an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ...

Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., was born in Washington, D.C., on July 1, 1877. (His biographer Marvin Fletcher (author of America's First Black General, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., 1880-1970) has presented evidence of his birth records indicating that he was born in May 1880 and later lied about his age so that he could enlist in the army without the permission of his parents. It is the earlier date that appears on his grave at Arlington National Cemetery, however.) He was a student at Howard University when—as a result of the start of the War with Spain—he entered the military service on July 13, 1898 as a temporary first lieutenant of the 8th United States Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered out on March 6, 1899, and on June 18, 1899, he enlisted as a private in Troop I, 9th Cavalry regiment (one of the original Buffalo Soldier regiments), of the Regular Army. He then served as corporal and squadron sergeant major, and on February 2, 1901, he was commissioned a second lieutenant of Cavalry in the Regular Army. Washington, D.C. is the capital city of the United States of America. ... Jump to: navigation, search July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1877 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1880 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Arlington Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, is an American military cemetery established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Robert E. Lees home. ... Howard University is a historically black university in Washington, D.C. It was established by a congressional charter in 1867, and much of its early funding came from the Freedmens Bureau. ... The Spanish-American War took place in 1898, and resulted in the United States of America gaining control over the former colonies of Spain in the Caribbean and Pacific. ... Jump to: navigation, search July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... 1898 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search March 6 is the 65th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (66th in Leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1899 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... June 18 is the 169th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (170th in leap years), with 196 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1899 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Buffalo Soldiers is a nickname originally applied to the members of the 10th Cavalry of the United States Army, which was formed on September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. ... Jump to: navigation, search February 2 is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1901 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

Promotions

He was promoted to first lieutenant on [March 30]], 1905; to captain on December 24, 1915; to major (temporary) on August 5, 1917; and to lieutenant colonel (temporary) on May 1, 1918. He reverted to his permanent rank of captain on October 14, 1919, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel on July 1, 1920; to colonel on February 18, 1930; to brigadier general (temporary) on October 25, 1940. He was retired on July 31, 1941, and recalled to active duty with the rank of brigadier general the following day. Jump to: navigation, search 1905 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search December 24 is the 358th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (359th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1915 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... August 5 is the 217th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (218th in leap years), with 148 days remaining. ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1918 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search October 14 is the 287th day of the year (288th in Leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1919 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... 1920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1930 is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Jump to: navigation, search October 25 is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 67 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1940 was a leap year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... July 31 is the 212th day (213th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 153 days remaining, as the final day of July. ... 1941 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Service

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. In August 1901, he was assigned to duty with the 2d Squadron, 10th Cavalry, and returned from the Philippines with that organization for service as Adjutant at Fort Washakie, Wyoming. In September 1905, he was made Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Wilberforce University, Ohio, remaining there until September 1909, when, after a brief tour of duty at Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, he was detailed as Military Attache to Monrovia, Liberia, until January 1912. The Philippines is composed of 7,107 islands and these make up the archipelago. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1901 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... State nickname: Equality State Other U.S. States Capital Cheyenne Largest city Cheyenne Governor Dave Freudenthal (D) Senators Craig Thomas (R) Mike Enzi (R) Official languages English Area 253,554 km² (10th)  - Land 251,706 km²  - Water 1,851 km² (0. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1905 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Wilberforce University, located in Wilberforce, Ohio, was founded in 1856. ... Jump to: navigation, search State nickname: The Buckeye State Other U.S. States Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Governor Bob Taft (R) Senators Mike DeWine (R) George Voinovich (R) Official languages None Area 116,096 km² (34th)  - Land 106,154 km²  - Water 10,044 km² (8. ... 1909 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search Fort Ethan Allen was a cavalry outpost in the U.S. state of Vermont named for American Revolutionary War figure Ethan Allen. ... Jump to: navigation, search State nickname: The Green Mountain State Other U.S. States Capital Montpelier Largest city Burlington Governor Jim Douglas (R) Senators Patrick Leahy (D) Jim Jeffords (I) Official languages None Area 24,923 km² (43th)  - Land 23,974 km²  - Water 949 km² (3. ... For alternate meanings, see Monrovia (disambiguation). ... 1912 was a leap year starting on Monday. ...

He then was assigned to duty with the 9th Cavalry at Fort D.A. Russell (predecessor of Fort Francis E. Warren), Wyoming, and at Douglas, Arizona. He remained with his regiment on border patrol duty until February 1915, when he again was assigned to duty as Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Wilberforce University, Ohio. He remained there until the summer of 1917, when he went to the Philippines for duty as Supply Officer of the 9th Cavalry at Camp Stotsenburg. He returned to the United States in July 1920, and was assigned to duty as Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Tuskegee Institute, Alabama, where he served until July 1924, when he became Instructor of the 372d Infantry, Ohio National Guard, stationed at Cleveland, Ohio. Jump to: navigation, search Fort D. A. Russell was the name of two United States Military posts in the western United States. ... State nickname: Equality State Other U.S. States Capital Cheyenne Largest city Cheyenne Governor Dave Freudenthal (D) Senators Craig Thomas (R) Mike Enzi (R) Official languages English Area 253,554 km² (10th)  - Land 251,706 km²  - Water 1,851 km² (0. ... Douglas is a city located in Cochise County, Arizona. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1915 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ... 1920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... There is also the Tuskegee Airmen, a corps of African-American military pilots trained there during World War II Tuskegee University is an American institution of higher learning located in Tuskegee, Alabama. ... State nickname: Camellia State, The Heart of Dixie¹, Yellowhammer State, The Roy Moore State Other U.S. States Capital Montgomery Largest city Birmingham Governor Bob Riley (R) Senators Richard Shelby (R) Jeff Sessions (R) Official languages English Area 52,423 mi²/135,775 km² (30th)  - Land 50,750 mi²/131... Jump to: navigation, search 1924 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search City nickname: The Forest City Location Location in Cuyahoga County, Ohio Government County Cuyahoga Mayor Jane L. Campbell Physical characteristics Area      Land      Water 213. ...

In July 1929 he returned to Wilberforce University as Professor Military Science and Tactics serving until late 1930 when he was detailed on special duty with the U.S. Department of State in connection with affairs relating to the Republic of Liberia. Jump to: navigation, search 1929 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1930 is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is the Cabinet-level foreign affairs agency of the United States government, equivalent to foreign ministries in other countries. ...

In late 1931 he was assigned again to serve as Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Tuskegee, Alabama, where he remained until August 1937 when he was transferred to Wilberforce University. Jump to: navigation, search 1931 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Tuskegee is a city located in Macon County, Alabama. ... 1937 was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...

During the summers of 1930 to 1933, he was placed on detached service for duty with the Pilgrimage of War Mothers and Widows, making frequent trips to Europe on behalf of that organization. For his work on this assignment he received letters of commendation from the Secretary of War and from the Quartermaster General. Jump to: navigation, search 1930 is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... 1933 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Secretary of War was a member of the Presidents Cabinet, beginning with George Washingtons administration. ... A Quartermaster general is the staff officer in charge of supplies for a whole army. ...

In August 1937 he was transferred from Tuskegee Institute to Wilberforce University. After a year at that institution, he was assigned as instructor and Commanding Officer of the 369th Infantry, New York National Guard. This organization was later changed to the 369th Coast Artillery (Anti-aircraft) Regiment. In January 1941 he was ordered to Fort Riley, Kansas, for duty as a brigade commander with the 2d Cavalry Division. The following June, he was assigned to Washington, D.C., for duty as Assistant to the Inspector General. 1937 was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1941 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Fort Riley is a census-designated place and United States Army post, in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River. ... Jump to: navigation, search State nickname: The Sunflower State Other U.S. States Capital Topeka Largest city Wichita Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) Senators Sam Brownback (R) Pat Roberts (R) Official languages None Area 82,277 mi²; 213,096 km² (15th)  - Land 81,815 mi²; 211,900 km²  - Water 462 mi...

He was assigned to the European Theater of Operations in September 1942 on special duty as Advisor on Negro Problems and upon completion of this special duty he returned to the United States and resumed his duties in the Inspector General's Department. The European Theater of Operations, or ETO, was the term used by the United States in World War II to refer to most United States military activity in Europe north of the Mediterranean coast. ... Jump to: navigation, search This article is about the year. ...

In November 1944, he became Special Assistant to the Commanding General, Communications Zone, European Theater of Operations, stationed in Paris, France, and in November 1945 was granted a period of detached service for the purposes of recuperation and rehabilitation. In January 1946 he again became Special Assistant to The Inspector General, Washington, D.C. He retired on 14 July 1948, as the senior Brigadier General on the 184 member Permanent list, and after having served fifty years. General Davis died on November 26, 1970. His remains are interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. His son, Lieutenant General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., (U.S. Air Force, Retired), is the fourth African American graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and the nation's second African American general officer. 1944 was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Eiffel Tower has become the symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1945 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1946 was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Jump to: navigation, search July 14 is the 195th day (196th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 170 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1948 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... November 26 is the 330th day (331st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Arlington Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, is an American military cemetery established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Robert E. Lees home. ... Arlington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia (which calls itself a commonwealth), directly across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. By an act of Congress July 9, 1846, the area south of the Potomac was returned to Virginia effective in 1847 As of 2000... Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. ...

Decorations and honors

General Davis' U.S. military decorations included the Bronze Star Medal and the Distinguished Service Medal. His DSM medal, awarded by General Order 10, dated 22 February 1945, stated that General Benjamin O. Davis was awarded the DSM "for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility from June 1941 to November 1944." The War Department release issued about General Davis' DSM on February 11, 1945, included the following citation: The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration and is the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service. ... Jump to: navigation, search This article concerns the United States Army Distinguished Service Medal. ... February 22 is the 53rd day of every year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1945 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search February 11 is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1945 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

For exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility from June, 1941, to November, 1944, as an Inspector of troop units in the field, and as special War Department consultant on matters pertaining to Negro troops. The initiative, intelligence and sympathetic understanding displayed by him in conducting countless investigations concerning individual soldiers, troop units and other components of the War Department brought about a fair and equitable solution to many important problems which have since become the basis of far-reaching War Department policy. His wise advice and counsel have made a direct contribution to the maintenance of soldier morale and troop discipline and has been of material assistance to the War Department and to responsible commanders in the field of understanding personnel matters as they pertain to the individual soldier.

Additionally, General Davis was awarded an Honorary Degree of LL.D. from Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia. His foreign awards and honors consisted of the Croix de guerre from France and the Grade of Commander of the Order of the Star of Africa from Liberia. Clark Atlanta University is a private, undergraduate and graduate institution educational institution in Atlanta, Georgia. ... Jump to: navigation, search Atlanta is the capital and largest city of Georgia, a state of the United States of America. ... The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of both Belgium and France which was first created in 1915. ...

References

• Fletcher, Marvin E. America's First Black General: Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., 1880-1970. Lawrence, Kansas: University of Kansas, 1989.
• Lee, Ulysses. The Employment of Negro Troops. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Army Center of Military History, 1966; reprint, 1986, 1990.