About the Topic
Benjamin O. Davis Sr. entered the military service on July 13, 1898. He was sent almost immediately into the Spanish-American War. As one of the original Buffalo Soldiers, Davis first started out as the troop’s clerk and later as the squadron sergeant major. After the Spanish-American War ended, Benjamin O. Davis was sent overseas to fight in the Philippine-American War. Davis became the second lieutenant of the Troop F, 10th cavalry. Shortly after the Philippine War, Davis was transferred to Liberia. He stayed in Liberia for a while, reporting on their military forces. Soon after, he was transferred to Wyoming, and then to the United States-Mexico border. He then was transferred to Wilberforce University as the professor of Military Science and Tactics. At the start of WWII, Davis became Commanding General of the 4th Brigade, 2nd cavalry in Fort Riley, Kansas. Six months later, he was transferred to Washington D.C. as an assistant in the Office of the Inspector General. Benjamin O. Davis retired of July 20th after fifty years of military service.
Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was the son of Benjamin O. Davis Sr. He attended the U.S. Army Infantry School. In early 1941, Davis was assigned to the first training class at the Tuskegee Army Air field. In September of 1943, Davis was called to take command of the 332nd Fighter group, a large, all black group ready to go overseas. His group arrived in Italy. The four-squadron group, which was called the Red Tails for the distinctive markings of its planes, was based at Ramitelli Airfield and flew many missions deep into German territory. During the war, the airmen commanded by Davis had compiled an outstanding record in combat against the Luftwaffe. They flew more than 15,000 sorties, shot down 111 enemy planes, and destroyed or damaged 273 on the ground at a cost of 66 of their own planes and losing only about twenty-five bombers. In the summer of 1945, Davis took over the all-black 477th Bombardment Group, which was stationed at Godman Field, Kentucky. In July 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order ordering the racial integration of the armed forces. Colonel Davis helped draft the Air Force plan for implementing this order. The Air Force was the first of the services to integrate fully. Davis served at the Pentagon and in overseas posts over the next two decades. He again saw combat in 1953 when he assumed command of the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing and flew an F-86 Sabre in Korea. He retired from active military service on February 1, 1970. On December 9, 1998, Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was advanced to the rank of General, with President Clinton pinning on his four-star insignia.
Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was the son of Benjamin O. Davis Sr. He attended the U.S. Army Infantry School. In early 1941, Davis was assigned to the first training class at the Tuskegee Army Air field. In September of 1943, Davis was called to take command of the 332nd Fighter group, a large, all black group ready to go overseas. His group arrived in Italy. The four-squadron group, which was called the Red Tails for the distinctive markings of its planes, was based at Ramitelli Airfield and flew many missions deep into German territory. During the war, the airmen commanded by Davis had compiled an outstanding record in combat against the Luftwaffe. They flew more than 15,000 sorties, shot down 111 enemy planes, and destroyed or damaged 273 on the ground at a cost of 66 of their own planes and losing only about twenty-five bombers. In the summer of 1945, Davis took over the all-black 477th Bombardment Group, which was stationed at Godman Field, Kentucky. In July 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order ordering the racial integration of the armed forces. Colonel Davis helped draft the Air Force plan for implementing this order. The Air Force was the first of the services to integrate fully. Davis served at the Pentagon and in overseas posts over the next two decades. He again saw combat in 1953 when he assumed command of the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing and flew an F-86 Sabre in Korea. He retired from active military service on February 1, 1970. On December 9, 1998, Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was advanced to the rank of General, with President Clinton pinning on his four-star insignia.
Interesting Facts
- Benjamin O. Davis Sr. was part of the first black cavalry of the Spanish-American War
- Benjamin O Davis Sr. won the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the French Croix de Guerre, and the African Star.
- President Harry S. Truman went to Benjamin O. Davis Sr.'s retirement ceremony
- Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was the captain of the Tuskegee Airmen.
- At Davis’ funeral, President Bill Clinton said, "General Davis was here as living proof that a person can overcome adversity and discrimination, achieve great things, turn skeptics into believers; and through example and perseverance, one person can bring truly extraordinary change".
- Benjamin O. Davis Jr. received the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.
- Benjamin O Davis Sr. won the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the French Croix de Guerre, and the African Star.
- President Harry S. Truman went to Benjamin O. Davis Sr.'s retirement ceremony
- Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was the captain of the Tuskegee Airmen.
- At Davis’ funeral, President Bill Clinton said, "General Davis was here as living proof that a person can overcome adversity and discrimination, achieve great things, turn skeptics into believers; and through example and perseverance, one person can bring truly extraordinary change".
- Benjamin O. Davis Jr. received the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.
Importance to History
These exceptional African American soldiers pushed through abundances of discrimination and hatred to reach their dreams. These wonderful people paved the way for African Americans to make a difference in our country. They made people realize that the only difference between blacks and whites was the color of the skin.