On This Day In TCXPI History Benjamin Oliver Davis, Sr. became the First African American General in the United States Army when he was promoted to Brigadier General on October 25, 1940. Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. was born July 1, 1880 in Washington, D.C. He entered military service in 1898 and over his fifty year career had many assignments, including several stints as professor of military science and tactics at Wilberforce University and Tuskegee University. Brig. Gen. Davis retired from the military in 1948 in a public ceremony presided over by President Harry S. Truman. His U.S. military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal and the Bronze Star. His foreign awards and honors include the Croix de Guerre with Palm from France and the Grade of Commander of the Order of the Star of Africa from Liberia. Brig. Gen. Davis died November 26, 1970 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His biography, “America’s First Black General: Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. 1880-1970,” was published in 1989. Gen. Davis’ name is enshrined in the Ring of Genealogy at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan. Sources: thewright.org/explore/blog/entry/today-in-black-history-10252012 veteransunited/network/the-first-african-american-general-tore-down-racial-barriers-in-the-army/
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 09:15:41 +0000
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