Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Jr.

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 Airmen—an all-black combat squadron. Davis also served in the Korean and Vietnam wars, reaching the rank of lieutenant general (a three-star general) in 1965; after retirement in 1998 he was awarded a fourth star, which designated the highest military order. His father, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., was the first African American colonel (1930) and general (1940) in the U.S. Army. Davis attended Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, and the University of Chicago before entering the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., where he was shunned by white students. Despite graduating near the top of his class in 1936, he was not admitted to pilot training with the U.S. Army Air Corps (later Air Force) until 1941. Promoted to lieutenant colonel, he organized the 99th Pursuit Squadron, and in 1943 he began leading the 332nd Fighter Group, which distinguished itself in European missions. After the war Davis was instrumental in desegregating the air force (1948) and continued to rise in rank, becoming a brigadier general (1954) and then major general (1959). Following retirement in 1970 he was named national director of civil aviation security and helped to stem a rash of aircraft hijackings.

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Universalium. 2010.

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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. — (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… …   Historical Dictionary of the Roosevelt–Truman Era

  • 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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