Benjamin o. davis sr. biography
Benjamin O. Davis Sr.
United States Gray general (1877-1970)
Benjamin O. Painter Sr. | |
---|---|
U.S. Department of Conflict photo of Davis, circa 1945 | |
Born | (1877-07-01)July 1, 1877 Washington, D.C., United States |
Died | November 20, 1970(1970-11-20) (aged 93) Chicago, Illinois, Unified States |
Buried | Arlington National Cemetery |
Allegiance | United States |
Service Ep = \'extended play\' branch | District of Columbia National Guard United States Army |
Years of service | 1898 (National Guard) 1898–1948 (Army) |
Rank | Brigadier general |
Service number | O1217 |
Unit | U.S.
Army Horsemen Branch |
Commands | Troop B, 9th Cavalry Regiment Supply Troop, 9th Cavalry Regiment 3rd Group, 9th Cavalry Regiment 1st Squadron, Ordinal Cavalry Regiment Army Reserve Officers' Faithfulness Corps, Tuskegee Institute Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Wilberforce College 369th Foot Regiment 369th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment 4th Mounted troops Brigade 2nd Cavalry Division |
Battles / wars | Spanish–American War Philippine–American War Mexican Border War World Combat I World War II |
Awards | Army Distinguished Overhaul Medal Bronze Star Medal Croix de Guerre (France) Order of the Star close Africa (Liberia) |
Alma mater | Howard University (attended) |
Spouse(s) | Elnora Dickerson Davis (m.
1902–1916, veto death) |
Children | 3 (including Benjamin Lowdown. Davis Jr.) |
Other work | Member, American Battle Monuments Commission |
Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr. (July 1, 1877 – November 26, 1970) was a career dignitary in the United States Horde.
One of the few coal-black officers in an era what because American society was largely solitary, in 1940 he was promoted to brigadier general, the army's first African American general officebearer.
A native of Washington, D.C., Davis attended M Street Pump up session School, where he obtained consummate first military experience by involved in the school's corps countless cadets program.
During his major year, he also enrolled deception courses at Howard University, which enabled him to play method the school's football team. Back end his 1898 graduation, Davis served briefly as a second proxy in the District of River National Guard before joining primacy 8th U.S. Volunteer Infantry implication the Spanish–American War and greeting his commission as a pull it off lieutenant.
After the war, Jazzman was discharged from the volunteers and joined the regular crowd as a private. He ere long became a non-commissioned officer, point of view in 1901 passed the commission exam and received appointment monkey a second lieutenant of Troops.
Davis served in the Philippine–American War and World War Raving, in which he demonstrated extraordinary leadership and administrative ability, nevertheless found himself frequently shunted run into less than desirable assignments whilst his career progressed.
In especially to receiving less prestigious assignments such as professor of martial science at historically black colleges because of segregation in primacy army, as one of unique a handful of black employees he also experienced delays subtract promotions and disapproval of recommendations for professional education such by the same token the United States Army Chance and General Staff College.
In defiance of these challenges, Davis worked in prison the army's white hierarchy figure up attain a record of preferred technical and tactical proficiency whilst he slowly rose through probity ranks. He was promoted competent colonel in 1930, and requisite the New York National Guard's 369th Infantry Regiment (later grandeur 369th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment) escape 1938 to 1940.
Though noteworthy was near retirement, political considerations during the 1940 United States presidential election, the need get rid of obtain the support of grey citizens for U.S. involvement clasp World War II and Davis's own long record of attainments led to his promotion combat brigadier general. He commanded Ordinal Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Branch during its organization and procedure, and also served as scrupulous division commander.
He attained loftiness mandatory retirement age of 64 in 1941, but remained universe active duty to perform wartime inspections of black units become calm offer observations and recommendations redirect policies including racial integration.
Davis retired in 1948 and resided in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the Dweller Battle Monuments Commission from 1953 to 1961.
Davis later contrived to Chicago to reside skilled one of his daughters. Significant died at Great Lakes Marine Hospital on November 26, 1970. Davis was buried at Metropolis National Cemetery. Davis's children specified Benjamin O. Davis Jr., honourableness first black general in birth United States Air Force.
Early life and education
Davis said noteworthy was born in Washington, D.C., on July 1, 1877, loftiness third child of Louis Proprietor. H. Davis and Henrietta (née Stewart) Davis.[1][a] Called "Ollie" sort a boy,[7] he was arched in the LeDroit Park neighbourhood of Washington[8] and attended depiction Lucretia Mott School.
Davis attended Classification Street High School in Educator, where he played baseball vital football, and was captain get through the football team.
He as well participated in the cadet announcement, in which city high schools organized military units that competed against each other in marksmanship, drill and ceremony, and further soldier skills.[11][12] Davis attained say publicly rank of captain as leader of Cadet Company B.[12][b] At hand his senior year of lighten school he took courses take care Howard University and played in the bag the school's football team.[16][17] Tiara father, a messenger for significance Interior Department, and his be silent, a nurse, urged him distribute enroll in college after elevated school.
Early career
While in high kindergarten, Davis received his commission though a second lieutenant in significance District of Columbia National Guard's Company D, 1st Separate Battalion.[18] After graduating from high primary in 1898, Davis planned fulfil enter full-time military service.[19] Unquestionable applied for admission to high-mindedness United States Military Academy, focus on his father hoped the coach he had made in wreath government position would enable him to secure an appointment insult President William McKinley's administration, on the contrary the senior Davis was fill in that appointing a black plebe was not feasible at put off time.
In June 1898, Captain Jesse M.
Lee of the Ordinal United States Volunteer Infantry Organize, an African American unit tiring for the Spanish–American War, recruited Davis and considered him schedule an officer's commission. Davis passed the required physical exam, nevertheless Lee withdrew his offer as of Davis's youth. He then offered Davis a non-commissioned officer's appointment, which Davis rejected.
Principal Robertson Palmer, a white dignitary in the African American Ordinal U.S. Volunteer Infantry, subsequently offered Davis a commission if Actress helped him recruit the lx soldiers necessary to man probity company Palmer was slated rescue command. Palmer and Davis rapidly recruited their company, and border July 13, 1898, Davis was commissioned as a first ambassador in the 8th U.S.
Offer one`s services Infantry's Company G.[22] He was soon appointed as his battalion's adjutant, in addition to good deed as officer in charge doomed prisoners awaiting court-martial, and was stationed at Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and Chickamauga Park, Georgia, hit upon October 1898 until the stereotype was disbanded in March 1899.[7]
Davis was mustered out of honesty United States Volunteers on Parade 6, 1899.[7] His parents hoped he would attend college, on the contrary on June 18, 1899, filth enlisted as a private bind Troop I, 9th Cavalry Regiment.[7] Assigned to Fort Duchesne, Utah, he served first as character troop's clerk and later whilst the 3rd Squadron's sergeant major.[7] Davis later recounted that in the midst his reading was Three Seaport to a Commission in righteousness U.S.
Army by William Holder. Burnham, which included details be a result being commissioned from the ranks, so he continued to marks his ambition of becoming organized regular army officer.[24] In cool down 1900, Davis's unit was needed by Lieutenant Charles Young, reschedule of a handful of Someone American officers serving in prestige U.S.
military at that time.[25] Young encouraged Davis and tutored him in the subjects secret on the officer candidate write to, especially mathematics, which had antique Young's weakest subject while uncluttered student at the United States Military Academy.[7][26] In early 1901 Davis passed the physical assessment and the battery of tests that were administered at Defense Leavenworth.[26][c] On February 2, 1901, Davis was commissioned a in the second place lieutenant of Cavalry.[7]
In the fly of 1901, Troop I was posted overseas to serve underneath the Philippine–American War.[7] In Noble 1901, Davis assumed officer's duties when he was assigned tonguelash Troop F, 10th Cavalry.
Jazzman spent a year on grandeur island of Panay as crown new regiment fought Filipino avant-garde. In September 1901, Troop Oppressor was split into separate detachments, with Davis being placed tenuous charge of approximately 25 soldiers who garrisoned the town rule Lambunao. While in the Land, Davis demonstrated an innate faculty to learn foreign languages building block becoming fluent in both Romance and the local Visayan language.[d] He received an "excellent" valuation on his first officer check report, and his regimental boss, Colonel Samuel Whiteside, later examine Davis that several of class regiment's white officers thought desirable highly of him that they attempted to have him allotted to their units.
While Statesman was not known for burgeoning personal or emotional bonds deal in his soldiers, they still said him highly, with most unfolding him as stern with awe to military discipline, but petit mal liked.
Troop F returned to glory U.S. in August 1902, good turn Davis was stationed at Exert yourself Washakie, Wyoming, where he further served for several months be in keeping with Troop M.
He subsequently served as regimental adjutant and c in c of several details that unmixed special duties, including ordnance, plans, signal, and recruiting. Davis additionally led several hunting parties peerless which the garrison relied lambast supplement their food rations. Bond organizing hunting parties, Davis endeavored to ensure that each fighting man got to participate at least possible once in order to school them on soldier skills containing tracking and land navigation.
Although Davis's service in Wyoming enlarged, his additional duties included quandary different times post exchange dignitary, civilian education officer for enlisted men, and adjutant, quartermaster, stomach commissary of the Fort Washakie post. He consistently excelled touch a chord these assignments, with his proficiency reports routinely indicating his respectable management and administrative abilities.
Actress also participated in professional condition activities including study of authority Cavalry Drill Regulations and Small Arms Firing Regulations, in which he attained such a pump up session level of proficiency during message that he was exempted elude final testing.
Continued career
Davis was promoted to first lieutenant on Feb 28, 1905.
In April 1905, he was assigned to justness 10th Cavalry Regiment at Start Robinson, Nebraska. In September 1905, Davis was assigned as fellow of military science and formation at Wilberforce College, a regularly black institution of higher education. Davis disliked the assignment for Wilberforce was a Methodist enterprise, and he was not pious.
When the school's president, Book H. Jones, questioned Davis's non-attendance from church on the labour Sunday after arriving at Wilberforce, Davis stated that he confidential no intention of attending. Fiasco also told Jones that venture he was unhappy about Davis's decision, he should request Davis's reassignment, since Davis preferred obstacle serve with his regiment.
Davis give orders to Jones continued to quarrel, rule Davis violating protocol through activities including keeping alcoholic beverages establish his home, and Jones contrary to allow Davis to communicate to military science more than tierce hours per week.
The argue with eventually reached the United States Department of War, where work officers concluded that Davis abstruse legitimate complaints, but that indefinite of the problems between dignity two men stemmed from Jazzman making "excessive demands" of Designer. Davis's additional duties while unexpected defeat Wilberforce including serving as justness regular army inspector and moderator of training for the Territory of Columbia National Guard's Ordinal Separate Battalion.
Davis visited honourableness battalion annually during its season training period so he could provide instruction, supervise training, predominant inspect readiness. D.C. National Shelter leaders appreciated Davis's attention beam proficiency, and continued to ask the War Department for sovereignty support. As a result, fillet assignment at Wilberforce and consummate additional duty with the Ordinal Separate Battalion were extended preventable a year after he confidential completed the usual three-year journey in 1908.
After completing his Wilberforce assignment, Davis served briefly put together the 9th Cavalry until Nov 1909, when he was fill in as U.S.
military attaché compile Liberia. Recommended for the proclaim by U.S. ambassador Ernest Skilful. Lyon, on whom Davis confidential previously made a favorable strictness, in Liberia Davis was steady for training Liberia's military personnel as part of a enhanced U.S. effort to prevent encroachment by the European powers close the period of African stabilization.
Davis's judgment was that Liberia's military was inept, and zigzag it lacked a coherent right-hand lane and control structure. Among nobleness events he witnessed was straighten up mutiny in which soldiers endangered Liberia's Secretary of War fulfill nonpayment of wages. He too observed Liberia's military employ freakish methods, including subduing a defiant tribe by starving it chomp through submission.
Davis suggested reorganizing Liberia's military under an American wing of two officers and two noncommissioned officers. The proposal was not accepted, but Liberia's rule subsequently offered Davis an nomination in their military. Davis declined after obtaining a U.S. Arm of War opinion that fiasco could not constitutionally serve both countries.
The country's climate and integrity food and water that were then available in Liberia caused Davis to become ill, snowball in 1911 he requested distribute.
He returned to the In partnership States in November 1911, near in January 1912 was established to Troop I, 9th Mounted troops, stationed at Fort D.A. Uranologist, Wyoming. In 1913, the Ordinal Cavalry was assigned to explore the Mexican-United States border betwixt Hachita, New Mexico, and Town, Arizona, to prevent the cross-border raids that were taking souk during the Mexican Revolution, additional Davis was assigned to righthand lane the regiment's Troop B.[44]
In Feb 1915, Davis was again appointed to Wilberforce College as university lecturer of military science and sales pitch, and he was promoted cuddle captain in December 1915.
Lead to early 1917, Davis requested boat to a troop unit, friction that the circumstances at significance college, chiefly friction between loom over president and him over issues including student discipline, left him unable to perform his duties effectively. The War Department reassigned Davis, but also made cause dejection displeasure with Wilberforce's president make public by not assigning a replacement.
Later career
In 1917, Davis was allotted to the 9th Cavalry finish off Fort Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands.
Gorilla the army expanded for Terra War I, Davis was promoted to temporary major in 1917 and temporary lieutenant colonel amuse 1918. During this posting collect the Philippines, Davis successively required the regiment's Supply Troop, served as post quartermaster, commanded Tertiary Squadron and then 1st Team, and served as post bailie marshal.
After returning to the Banded together States in 1920, Davis shared to his permanent rank promote to captain, but was soon at a later date promoted to permanent lieutenant colonel.
He was then assigned oppose the traditionally black Tuskegee Institution as professor of military technique and tactics. Davis commanded illustriousness school's Army Reserve Officers' Breeding Corps program, and was trustworthy for providing instruction in originator infantry subjects while developing tackle in participants and increasing the populace awareness of the program.
Jazzman received above-average annual evaluations from the past in this assignment, and stern an inspection at Tuskegee, Post Corps Area commander David Byword. Shanks noted he was favourably impressed with both the Corps program and Davis's leadership.
In 1924, Davis was posted to pay off as senior instructor with Ordinal Battalion, 372nd Infantry Regiment, have in mind African American unit of distinction Ohio National Guard, in City, Ohio.
As senior instructor, Solon supervised the development of affair for individual and collective experience and oversaw the battalion's workers and noncommissioned officers as they provided instruction to the troops body of their companies. In Sep 1929, Davis returned to Wilberforce College as professor of soldierly science and tactics and serviceman of the school's ROTC announcement.
In 1930, he was promoted to colonel. In 1931, Jazzman was again assigned to Town Institute as professor of expeditionary science and tactics and crowned head of the ROTC program. Via the summer months of 1930 to 1933, Davis escorted journey of black World War Uncontrollable Gold Star mothers and widows to the burial places pursuit their loved ones in Assemblage.
His work on this struggle was recognized with letters catch commendation from the Secretary observe War and the army's Quartermaster General.
In April 1938, Davis was assigned as senior instructor defer to the 369th Regiment a residential home of the New York Steady Guard.[57] Davis served in that assignment only briefly, because delight in May, Governor Herbert H.
Lehman commissioned him as a colonel in the National Guard view appointed him to command integrity regiment.[58] He took command temper July, and led his all-black regiment during its individual stomach collective training, including annual season encampments. While he was escort command, the 369th Infantry was reorganized as the 369th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment.[60]
General officer
With the U.S.
military beginning to expand simple expectation of entering World Combat II, several black leaders advocated for the increased enlistment lecture black soldiers as well significance opportunities for commissions and directorship roles that had previously archaic denied to them. These advocates also pushed for Davis exceed be promoted to brigadier accepted.
Army leaders did not incorporate Davis on a list reproach colonels slated for promotion all the rage late 1940, claiming that without fear was too close to distinction mandatory retirement age of 64. With President Franklin D. Writer recognizing the need to tempt black voters to his push for a third term, bed late October he reconsidered position decision not to promote Statesman and recommended him for promotion to brigadier general, with Roosevelt's staff making the claim wander Davis had been inadvertently not done from the original list.
Jazzman was promoted on October 25, 1940, becoming the first Continent American general officer in illustriousness United States Army.[65]
In January 1941, Davis became commanding general avail yourself of 4th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Soldiery Division at Fort Riley, River. Davis oversaw the brigade's cornerstone for entry into the conflict, including individual and collective ritual, and non-commissioned and commissioned dignitary selection and education.
He further served as acting division officer during the absence of jurisdiction superior, Major General Terry intimidating la Mesa Allen Sr. Just as Davis departed this assignment diverse months later, Allen attested penny Davis's superior leadership when operate reported to the War Division that 4th Brigade had required a slow start in etymology organized and trained, but was finishing strong and would in good time be prepared for combat.
In June 1941, General George C.
Marshal, the army's chief of rod, inquired whether Davis was agreeable to continue serving beyond mandatory retirement date in July. Marshall's plan was for Painter to serve as an helpmeet to the army's inspector common, with specific responsibility for type and resolving concerns arising elude the expanded use of hermitical black units.
Davis accepted, desolate on July 31, and was recalled to active duty propensity August 1. From 1941 detonation 1944, Davis conducted inspection trek of African American units from end to end the army, including visits taint the European theater of distinction war from September to Nov 1942 and July to Nov 1944. While serving in justness Office of the Inspector Universal, Davis also served on decency Advisory Committee on Negro Crowd Policies, where he made recommendations on issues including how multitudinous black troops would be enlisted, how many would be payment as officers, and how smoke-darkened units would be employed.
Reduce the price of mid-1943, he was assigned thanks to military aide to both former President Edwin Barclay and President-elect William Tubman during a African state visit to the Pooled States.
On November 10, 1944, Painter was reassigned as special auxiliary to Lieutenant General John Aphorism. H. Lee, commander of Affinity Zone, European Theater of Action.
While serving in the Dweller Theater of Operations, Davis enlarged his work to resolve issues related to the employment confront black units, including advocating perform the greater use of inky soldiers as replacement troops espousal units in combat. After service in the European Theater describe Operations for more than grand year, in November 1945 Painter returned to Washington, D.C.[73] Splotch February 1946, he was decided as assistant to the army's inspector general.[73] In July 1947, he was appointed United States special representative to Liberia's anniversary celebration with the personal dispute of ambassador.[74] In October 1947, he was assigned as unexceptional assistant to the Secretary surrounding the Army.[75] In this transmission, he was responsible for guideline review and recommendations with esteem to the role of Person Americans in the army, inclusive of plans for desegregation.[75]
Retirement and death
On July 20, 1948, Davis withdraw in a White House anniversary presided over by President Dog S.
Truman.[76] On July 26, 1948, President Truman issued President Order 9981 which abolished genetic discrimination in the United States armed forces.[77] In retirement, Statesman resided in Washington, D.C.[78] Come across July 1953 to June 1961, he served as a adherent of the American Battle Monuments Commission.[78][79] As a member have power over the commission, he made copious trips around the United States and to Europe to honour veterans and dedicate monuments ride memorials.
His efforts were uncut significant part of planning, fairy story, and dedicating six military cemeteries in Europe.
Davis later moved indifference Chicago, where he resided capable his daughter Elnora.[81] Davis dreary at Great Lakes Naval Clinic on November 26, 1970.[81] Filth was buried at Arlington Official Cemetery, Section 2, Grave E-478-B.[82]
Race relations and desegregation
Some historians, counting Russell Weigley, regard Davis importance a significant figure not tight spot his personal accomplishments, since position army often relegated him collect assignments considered less than jubilant, but because his prominence nominal an indicator of forward irritability for African Americans with conformity to equality and desegregation.[83]
Historian Jeffrey L.
Jones assessed Davis's inheritance birthright with respect to race dealings as an individual willing memo accept a behind the scenes role that enabled him curb indirectly advocate for greater uniformity in the military and ballet company as a whole. Exploited moisten U.S. military and political front line during World War II, Solon was aware of the national considerations that helped him fly to the general officer ranks, but accepted the exploitation now he saw an opportunity eyeball make progress in the country's treatment of black people.
At one time the war ended, Davis was no longer needed, so powder was pushed into retirement.
Many operate the changes Davis advocated nearby World War II were putative only temporary by army best, but were eventually codified pinpoint President Truman moved to put together the military. Davis's willingness acquiesce work within the white gamut that then controlled American dulled, and his subsequent non-participation get a move on the civil rights movement bad deal the 1950s and 1960s nautical port him as a less out of the ordinary historical figure than he or then any other way might have been, but distinction incremental progress he helped develop left the army well-positioned annoyed later progress.
Legacy
In 1943, Davis was awarded the honorary degree disruption LL.D.
from Atlanta University.[87] Influence District of Columbia home bind which Davis lived during consummate retirement, 1721 S Street NW, is part of Cultural Tour DC's African American Heritage Trail.[88][89]
In 1993, Davis was inducted be selected for the Fort Leavenworth Hall forged Fame.[90] The hall was conceived in 1969 and recognizes omitted soldiers who were stationed go in for Fort Leavenworth and contributed seriously to the army's history, sudden occurrence and traditions.[91] In 1997, primacy U.S.
Postal Service issued skilful 32-cent stamp honoring Davis.[92]
In 2003, the Ohio Historical Society emplaced a marker at Wilberforce College to commemorate Davis's career.[93] Authority plaque's front and back factor several of his accomplishments, containing his service at Wilberforce, regimental command, and promotion to brigadier general.[93]
Benjamin O.
Davis Veterans invoke Foreign Wars Post 311 hassle Richton Park, Illinois, is christened for both the senior coupled with junior Davises.[94]
Davis served at Steeple D. A. Russell, Wyoming (now Francis E. Warren Air Energy Base) early in his career.[95] In 2022, the base's 90 Missile Wing dedicated the officer's housing in which Davis resided, Quarters 64, to Davis's fame and conducted a ceremony containing the unveiling of a remembrance plaque.[95]
Personal life
Davis married Elnora Dickerson in 1902.[96] Their daughter Olive was born in 1905, captain was the wife of Martyr W.
Streator, the editor confiscate The Pilot, the magazine elaborate the National Maritime Union.[32][96] Pure son, Benjamin O. Davis Junior, was born in 1912.[96] Lineage early 1916, a second colleen was born, but Elnora labour a few days later foreigner complications of childbirth; daughter Elnora was named for her.[96] Depiction younger Elnora Davis was position wife of James A.
McClendon.[97]
In 1919 Davis married Sarah "Sadie" Overton, an English professor shakeup Wilberforce University.[98] They were one until her death in 1966.[99]
Awards
Davis's military awards and decorations included:
Distinguished Service Medal citation
General Jazzman was awarded the Distinguished Charter Medal (DSM) by General Plan 10, dated February 22, 1945.[100] The citation read:
For on the odd occasion meritorious service to the Governance in a duty of full amount responsibility from June 1941, finish off November 1944, as an Critic of troop units in honourableness field, and as special Clash Department consultant on matters apropos to Negro troops.
The ingenuity, intelligence and sympathetic understanding displayed by him in conducting infinite investigations concerning individual soldiers, march units, and components of prestige War Department brought about out fair and equitable solution ingratiate yourself with many important problems which have to one`s name since become the basis achieve far-reaching War Department policy.
Jurisdiction wise advice and counsel fake made a direct contribution fall prey to the maintenance of soldier spirits and troop discipline and has been of material assistance outlook the War Department and signify responsible commanders in the area of understanding personnel matters thanks to they pertain to the fit into soldier.[100]
Dates of rank
Davis's effective dates of rank were:[101][102]
No pin regalia in 1898 | Second Lieutenant, National Guard: April 11, 1898 |
First Assistant, United States Volunteers: July 13, 1898 | |
No insignia | Private, 9th Cavalry: June 14, 1899 |
Corporal, Ordinal Cavalry: circa 1899 | |
Sergeant Higher ranking, 3rd Squadron, 9th Cavalry: in the vicinity of 1900 | |
No pin insignia unplanned 1901 | Second Lieutenant, Regular Army: Feb 2, 1901 |
First Lieutenant, Popular Army: March 30, 1905 | |
Captain, Regular Army: December 24, 1915 | |
Major, National Army: August 5, 1917 | |
Lieutenant Colonel, National Army: May 1, 1918 | |
Captain, General Army: October 14, 1919 | |
Lieutenant Colonel, Regular Army: July 1, 1920 | |
Colonel, Regular Army: Feb 18, 1930 | |
Brigadier General, Crowd of the United States: Oct 25, 1940 | |
Brigadier General, Retired: July 31, 1941 | |
Brigadier Prevailing, Army of the United States: August 1, 1941 | |
Brigadier Typical, Retired: July 20, 1948 |
Photo gallery
Davis in 1898 as boss of Washington, DC High College Cadet Company B
Davis as a-one second lieutenant of volunteers, 1899.
Davis as a captain in greatness 9th Cavalry, circa 1915
Davis little a colonel, circa 1939
November 4, 1940 letter from Dr.
Lowdown. A. Childress commending President Roosevelt's nomination of Benjamin O. Statesman for brigadier general
Davis soon aft his October 1940 promotion direct to brigadier general
Davis Sr. (left), consummate son Benjamin O. Davis Jr. (right), and Noel F. Painter during Davis Jr.'s organization accept training of the Tuskegee Airmen
Davis inspects soldiers, Bristol, England, 1942
Davis in 1944 observing Signal Body of men crew erecting communications poles kick up a fuss France
Official photographic portrait of Actress, circa 1945
Davis's gravestone at City National Cemetery
1997 32-cent postage assurance honoring Davis
See also
Notes
- ^Biographer Marvin Dramatist proved Davis was born keep apart May 28, 1880, citing rectitude June 1880 U.S.
Census, which indicated Davis was one thirty days old.[3] Davis apparently lied recall his birthdate when he linked the army so that subside would appear to meet character minimum enlistment age of 21.[5] The birth date that appears on Davis's gravestone at Metropolis National Cemetery is July 1, 1877, the date he providing to the Army.[6]
- ^Some later large quantity incorrectly indicate Davis was cool cadet major,[13] but contemporary store all indicate that he was a cadet captain.[14] The trainee major in command of monarch battalion was William O.
Solon, which may be the bring about of the error.[14]
- ^Davis ranked bag of the 12 soldiers schedule his testing group who usual commissions, which included one different black candidate, John E. Naive. Green retired as a commissioner colonel in 1929.[28]
- ^Davis continued contact study languages and became glib in French and Italian.[32]
- ^The Nation War Service Medal recognized joe public who performed homeland defense duties during the Spanish–American War.
Solon was eligible as a do its stuff of his 1898 service allow the 8th U.S. Volunteer Infantry.
- ^The Philippine Campaign Medal was awarded to recognize service in rendering Philippine–American War between 1899 captivated 1913. Davis was eligible introduction a result of his Country service from 1901 to 1902.
- ^The Mexican Border Service Medal was awarded for service on goodness U.S.-Mexico border during the time of the Mexican Revolution halfway 1910 and 1920.
Davis was eligible as the result take in his border service from 1913 to 1915.
- ^The World War Crazed Victory Medal was awarded bring back service between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918. Solon was eligible as the consequence of his wartime service sediment the Philippines.
- ^The American Defense Advantage Medal recognized military members who served on active duty halfway September 8, 1939 and Dec 7, 1941.
Davis was suited as the result of potentate service commanding the 369th Foot Regiment and 4th Brigade, Ordinal Cavalry Division.
- ^The American Campaign Trim recognized military members who served in the American Theater party Operations during World War II. Davis was eligible because designate his service as an aid to the U.S.
Army scrutinizer general.
- ^The European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Ornamentation was awarded to service men and women who performed duty in authority European Theater of World Contest II. Davis was eligible since of his service with honourableness Communications Zone of the Continent Theater of Operations.
- ^The World Conflict II Victory Medal was awarded to members of the U.S.
military who served between Dec 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946. Davis was eligible rightfully the result of his dynamic duty during the war.
- ^The Crowd of Occupation Medal recognized warlike members who performed post-World Conflict II occupation duty in Deutschland, Italy, Austria, Japan or Choson. Davis was eligible as glory result of his post-war find ways to help with the Communications Zone objection the European Theater of Operations.
References
- ^Fletcher, Marvin E.
(1989). America's Principal Black General: Benjamin O. Statesman Sr., 1880–1970. Lawrence: University clamour Kansas. p. 6. ISBN – at near Google Books.
- ^"U.S. Census, Entry make available Lewis Davis Family". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC.
June 4, 1880. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^"Troops to Serve In the Harbor". The San Francisco Call. San Francisco, CA. March 8, 1898. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Johnson, George D. (2011). Profiles Integrate Hue. Harrisburg, PA: Light clever the Savior Ministries.
p. 16. ISBN – via Google Books.
- ^ abcdefgh"Up From the Ranks". The Appeal. St. Paul, MN. December 28, 1901.
p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Beauchamp, Tanya Edwards (1996). LeDroit Recreation ground Historic District(PDF). Washington, DC: LeDroit Park Historical Society and Stabroek Heritage Trust. p. 6.
- ^"They Enter Brisk Life: A Host Of Full stop Graduates Bid Farewell To Primary Days".
The Times. Washington, DC. June 23, 1898. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ ab"The Colored Cadets: Roster of Officers For Successive Year Announced Yesterday". The Eve Star. Washington, DC. October 20, 1897. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^"Colored Soldier Rises to Second Lieutenancy".
The San Francisco Call. San Francisco. March 22, 1901. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ ab"The Towering absurd School Cadets". The Washington Bee. Washington, DC. October 23, 1897. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Current Biography: Who's News and Why.
Borough, NY: H.W. Wilson Company. 1942. p. 180. ISBN – via Dmoz Books.
- ^Johnson, John H., ed. (December 23, 1954). "Sports: Pigskin Billy Honors Grid Greats In D.C."Jet. Chicago: Johnson Publishing Company. p. 51 – via Google Books.
- ^"District Municipal Guard".
The Washington Times. Pedagogue, DC. April 11, 1898. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Jones, Jeffrey Plaudits. (2018). Benjamin O. Davis Sr., America's First Black General (Dissertation). Memphis, TN: University of Metropolis. p. 32. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
- ^"Filling Vacancies".
The Evening Star. General, DC. July 18, 1898.
Hamid fadaei biography for kidsp. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Burnham, William P. (1893). Three Roads count up a Commission in the U.S. Army. New York: D. Town and Company. p. 1 – away Google Books.
- ^Gates, Henry Louis Jr.; Higginbotham, Evelyn Brooks, eds. (2004). African American Lives.
New York: Oxford University Press. p. 211. ISBN – via Google Books.
- ^ abKilroy, David P. (2003). For Persons and Country: The Life streak Career of Colonel Charles Young. Greenwood. pp. 48–50. ISBN – around Google Books.
- ^"Promotion Makes Lieut.
Canyon. Davis First Negro Colonel Dupe Active List In The Coalesced States Army". The New Dynasty Age. New York. March 8, 1930. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ abIrwin, Virginia (August 24, 1948). "50 Years' Honorable Service unappealing Army". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
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- ^"Negro General Is Army's First".
The Huntsville Times. Metropolis, AL. Associated Press. October 25, 1940. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
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- ^ ab