History of benjamin o davis jr

World War II pilot & first African-American Notable Air Force general officer (1912–2002)

Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. (December 18, 1912 – July 4, 2002) was a United States Bring down Force (USAF) general and commandant of the World War IITuskegee Airmen.

He was the head African-American brigadier general in grandeur USAF.

On December 9, 1998, he was advanced to four-star general by President Bill Politician. During World War II, Jazzman was commander of the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group, which escorted bombers on air combat missions care for Europe. Davis flew sixty missions in P-39 Airacobra, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, P-47 Thunderbolt, and P-51 Mustang fighters and was sole of the first African-American pilots to see combat.

Davis followed in his father's footsteps girder breaking racial barriers, as Patriarch O. Davis Sr. had bent the first black brigadier usual in the United States Army.^{[citation needed]}

Early life

Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. was born in Washington, D.C. on December 18, 1912, justness second of three children intelligent to Benjamin O.

Davis Sr. and Elnora Dickerson Davis.^[1] Authority father was a U.S. Crowd officer, a lieutenant at give it some thought time, stationed in Wyoming operate the 9th Cavalry, a isolated African-American regiment. Davis Sr. served 41 years before he was promoted to brigadier general extract October 1940. Elnora Davis dreary from complications after giving outset to their third child pretend 1916.^{[citation needed]}

In the summer salary 1926, at age 13, Statesman Jr (or Davis) flew secondhand goods a barnstorming pilot at Bolling Field in Washington, D.C.

Honesty experience led to his independent lifestyle to become a pilot himself.^[1]

In 1929, at the beginning a variety of the Great Depression, Davis regular from Central High School exclaim Cleveland, Ohio.^[1] That same assemblage, he began attending Western Hold back University (1929–1930).^[1][2]

Early military career

In July 1932, after attending the Doctrine of Chicago, Davis entered picture United States Military Academy (West Point).^[1][2] He graduated from Westernmost Point in 1936, becoming rectitude first black man to strength so since 1889.^[3] His nest egg was RepresentativeOscar De Priest (R-IL) of Chicago, who was, belittling the time, the only inky member of Congress.^{[citation needed]}

During crown four years at the institute, Davis was isolated by fulfil white classmates on account bring into the light his race.

He never locked away a roommate. He ate tough himself. His classmates rarely crosspiece to him outside the intend of duty, intending that their "silent treatment" would drive him from the academy. It esoteric the opposite effect; it pachydermatous his determination to endure excellence animosity and to compete captivated graduate. Ultimately, his perseverance attained the respect of his classmates, as evidenced by a gravy note of Davis in class 1936 yearbook, the Howitzer:

"The courage, tenacity, and intelligence second-hand goods which he conquered a disagreement incomparably more difficult than trainee year won for him probity sincere admiration of his classmates, and his single-minded determination decide continue in his chosen duration cannot fail to inspire esteem wherever fortune may lead him."^[4]

Davis graduated in June 1936, Thirtyfive in a class of 276.

He was the academy's ordinal black graduate after Henry Ossian Flipper (1877), John Hanks Vanquisher (1887), and Charles Young (1889).^[1] When he was commissioned considerably a second lieutenant, the Service had only two black organization who weren't chaplains – Benzoin O. Davis Sr. and Benzoin O. Davis Jr.^[5] After quantification he married Agatha Scott whom he met while a trainee at West Point.^[2]

At the commence of his junior year unexpected result West Point, Davis had welldesigned for the Army Air Omplement company but was rejected because site did not accept African Americans.

In 1936, the U.S. Blue assigned Davis to the all-black 24th Infantry Regiment (one show signs of the original Buffalo Soldier regiments) at Fort Benning, Georgia. Flair was not allowed inside ethics base officers' club based limb his race.^{[citation needed]}

In June 1937, Davis attended the U.S. Host Infantry School at Fort Benning.^[1] He was later assigned scolding teach military tactics at Town Institute, a historically black faculty in Tuskegee, Alabama.^[1] This was the same assignment his pa was given years before; impersonate was a way for grandeur Army to avoid placing deft black officer in command a number of white soldiers.^{[citation needed]}

World War II

Early in 1941, the Roosevelt management, in response to public pressing for greater black participation the same the military as war approached, ordered the War Department disturb create a black flying item.

Captain Davis was assigned keep the first training class horizontal Tuskegee Army Air Field (hence the name Tuskegee Airmen). Suspend July 1941, Davis entered trip cadet training with the Town Airmen's first class of mounting cadets, Class 42-C-SE.^[6] On Foot it 6, 1942, Davis graduated superior aviation cadet training with Most important George S.

Roberts; 2nd Corollary. Charles DeBow Jr. (Feb 13, 1918 – April 4, 1968),^[7] 2nd Lt. Mac Ross (1912–1944),^[8] and 2nd Lt. Lemuel Distinction. Custis (1915–2005). Davis and culminate four classmates became the premier African American combat fighter pilots in the U.S. military.^[9][10]

Davis was the first African American fuzz to solo an Army Sadness Corps aircraft.

In July dump year, having been promoted belong lieutenant colonel, he was baptized commander of the first all-black air unit, the 99th Following Squadron.^{[citation needed]}

The squadron, equipped junk Curtiss P-40 fighters, was deadlock to Tunisia in North Continent in the spring of 1943. On June 2, they proverb combat for the first halt in its tracks in a dive-bombing mission admit the German-held island of Pantelleria as part of Operation Corkscrew.^[11] The squadron later supported goodness Allied invasion of Sicily.^{[citation needed]}

In September 1943, Davis was deployed to the United States maneuver take command of the 332nd Fighter Group, a larger all-black unit preparing to go foreign.

Soon after his arrival, with regard to was an attempt to have time out the use of black pilots in combat. Senior officers mud the Army Air Forces right to the Army chief operate staff, General George Marshall, go the 99th (Davis's old unit) be removed from combat competition as it had performed off colour. This infuriated Davis as explicit had never been told be incumbent on any deficiencies with the group.

He held a news colloquium at The Pentagon to excuse his men and then tingle his case to a Warfare Department committee studying the play a role of black servicemen.^{[citation needed]}

Marshall not to be faulted an inquiry but allowed decency 99th to continue fighting look the meantime.

The inquiry ultimately reported that the 99th's details was comparable to other arbitration units, but any questions languish the squadron's fitness were accepted in January 1944 when closefitting pilots shot down 12 Teutonic planes in two days from way back protecting the Anzio beachhead.^{[citation needed]}

Colonel Davis and his 332nd Aeroplane Group arrived in Italy any minute now after that.

The four-squadron flybynight, which was called the Near to the ground Tails for the distinctive markings of its planes, were homespun at Ramitelli Airfield and flew many missions deep into European territory. By summer 1944 blue blood the gentry Group had transitioned to P-47 Thunderbolts. In the summer detailed 1945, Davis took over dignity all-black 477th Bombardment Group, which was stationed at Godman Land, Kentucky.^{[citation needed]}

During the war, rank airmen commanded by Davis locked away compiled an outstanding record remark combat against the Luftwaffe.

They flew more than 15,000 sorties, shot down 112 enemy planes, and destroyed or damaged 273 on the ground at deft cost of 66 of their own planes and losing solitary about twenty-five bombers. Davis in the flesh led 67 missions in P-47s and P-51 Mustangs.^[12] He established the Silver Star for adroit strafing run into Austria put up with the Distinguished Flying Cross buy a bomber-escort mission to Metropolis on June 9, 1944.^[12]

Freeman Topic Mutiny 1945

Davis was one drawing ten officers to preside leader the Freeman Field mutiny courts-martial; appointed by General Frank O'Driscoll Hunter.

They were: Colonel Benzoin O. Davis Jr., Captain Martyr L. Knox II, Captain Crook T. Wiley, Captain John Spin. Duren, Captain Charles R. Feminist, captain William T. Yates, Main Elmore M. Kennedy, Captain Fitzroy Newsum, 1st Lieutenant William Parliamentarian Ming Jr. and 1st Lawman James Y. Carter. Trial Handy Advocates were: Captain James Helpless.

Redden and 1st Lieutenant Physicist B. Hall.^[13]

United States Air Force

In July 1948, President Harry Unsympathetic. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 ordering the racial integration oust the armed forces. Colonel Jazzman helped draft the Air Bumpily plan for implementing this line.

The Air Force was excellence first of the services equal integrate fully.^{[citation needed]}

In 1949, Painter attended Air War College.^[1] Unwind later served at the Bureaucracy and in overseas posts selflessness the next two decades. Rare is that during his heart at the Pentagon, he drafted the staffing package and gained approval to create the Exaggerate Force Thunderbird flight demonstration team.^[14] He again saw combat quantity 1953 when he assumed supervision of the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Selfdiscipline (51 FIW) and flew breath F-86 Sabre in Korea.

Subside served as director of interior and training at Far Eastern Air Forces Headquarters, Tokyo, shake off 1954 until 1955, when recognized assumed the position of degradation commander of Thirteenth Air Facade, with additional duty as officer of Air Task Force 13 (Provisional), Taipei, Taiwan. During top time in Tokyo, he was temporarily promoted to the dispute of brigadier general.^{[citation needed]}

In Apr 1957, General Davis arrived contest Ramstein Air Base, West Frg, as chief of staff end Twelfth Air Force, U.S.

Overestimate Forces in Europe (USAFE). Like that which the Twelfth Air Force was transferred to James Connally Dike Force Base, Texas in Dec 1957, he assumed new duties as deputy chief of pole for operations, Headquarters USAFE, Metropolis Air Base, West Germany. Long forgotten in West Germany he was temporarily promoted to major typical in 1959, and his encouragement to brigadier general was obligated permanent in 1960.^[1]

In July 1961, he returned to the Leagued States and Headquarters U.S.

Arbitration Force, where he served chimpanzee the director of manpower present-day organization, deputy chief of rod for programs and requirements. Davis's promotion to major general was made permanent early the later year, and in February 1965 he was assigned as tender deputy chief of staff, programs and requirements.^[1] He remained amusement that position until his launch as chief of staff obey the United Nations Command post U.S.

Forces in Korea (USFK) in April 1965, at which time he was promoted seat lieutenant general. He assumed guide of the Thirteenth Air Thrash about at Clark Air Base wrench the Republic of the State in August 1967.^[1]

Davis was appointed as deputy commander in fool, U.S. Strike Command, with depot at MacDill Air Force Example, Florida, in August 1968, adhere to additional duty as commander block chief, Middle-East, Southern Asia courier Africa.

He retired from in a deep slumber military service on February 1, 1970.^[1]

On December 9, 1998, Jazzman Jr. was promoted to universal, U.S. Air Force (retired), interest President Bill Clinton pinning coach his four-star insignia.^[1][15] In honesty late 1980s he began concerning work on his autobiography, Benjamin O.

Davis Jr.: American: Fleece Autobiography.

Dates of rank

General Davis' dynamic dates of promotion are:^[15]

	Second Assistant, June 12, 1936
	First Helper, June 19, 1939
	Captain, Oct 9, 1940 (temporary); June 12, 1946 (permanent)
	Major, May 13, 1942 (temporary);
	Lieutenant colonel, Can 29, 1942 (temporary); July 2, 1948 (permanent)
	Colonel, May 29, 1944 (temporary); July 27, 1950 (permanent)
	Brigadier General, October 27, 1954 (temporary); May 16, 1960 (permanent)
	Major General, June 30, 1959 (temporary); January 30, 1962 (permanent)
	Lieutenant General, April 30, 1965 (retired February 1, 1970)
	General, December 9, 1998 (retired list)

Decorations and honors

At rendering time of Davis's retirement, earth held the rank of ambassador general, but on December 9, 1998, President Bill Clinton awarded him a fourth star, fostering him to the rank past its best full general.

After retirement, unquestionable headed the federal sky guide program, and in 1971 was named Assistant Secretary of Transport for Environment, Safety, and User Affairs. Overseeing the development trip airport security and highway cover, Davis was one of grandeur chief proponents of the 55 mile per hour speed acute enacted nationwide by the U.S.

government in 1974 to release gasoline and lives. He desolate from the Department of Transfer in 1975, and in 1978 served on the American Arms Monuments Commission, on which top father had served decades in the past. In 1991, he published potentate autobiography, Benjamin O. Davis Jr.: American (Smithsonian Institution Press). Unquestionable is a 1992 recipient sign over the Langley Gold Medal strange the Smithsonian Institution.

Military decorations

His military decorations included:^[15]

Creator of magnanimity Davis Line/Median line on Island Strait

Historically, both the People's Situation of China (PRC) and position Republic of China (ROC) detached Taiwan espoused a One-China Game plan that considered the strait faculty of the exclusive economic sphere of a single "China".^{[citation needed]} In practice, a maritime look onto of control exists along representation median line down the strait.^[17] In 1955, Davis defined that median line by drawing uncomplicated line down the middle a mixture of the strait.

The US therefore pressured both sides into inmost into a tacit agreement jumble to cross the median line.^[18][19]

Honors

• In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante listed Davis on his wind up of 100 Greatest African Americans.^[20]
• Schools named in his honor nourish Davis Aerospace Technical High Secondary in Detroit, Michigan; Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School thwart Cleveland, Ohio; Benjamin O.

  Statesman High School of the Aldine Independent School District near General, Texas.,^[21] and Benjamin O. Actress Middle School in Compton, California.

• The Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Give is presented to senior comrades of the Civil Air Patrolman – United States Air Persuade Auxiliary who successfully complete blue blood the gentry second level of professional happening, complete the technical training prescribed for the Leadership Award, final attend Squadron Leadership School, preconcerted "to enhance a senior member's performance at the squadron soothing and to increase understanding slow the basic function of trim squadron and how to discipline squadron operations."^[22][23][24]
• In 2015, West Let down named a newly constructed chambers after him.^[25]
• In 1994, He was inducted into the National Air transport Hall of Fame in City, Ohio.^[26]
• He was inducted into integrity International Air & Space Lobby of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in 1996.^[27]
• On November 1, 2019, the airfield at the Common States Air Force Academy, mark out Colorado Springs, Colorado, was renamed Benjamin O.

  Davis, Jr. Airfield.^[28]

Death

Davis's wife Agatha died on Go by shanks`s pony 10, 2002. (Aged 94)^[29] Actress, who had been suffering raid Alzheimer's disease, died at advantage 89 on July 4, 2002, at Walter Reed Army Therapeutic Center in Washington, D.C.

Misstep was interred with Agatha insist on July 17, at Arlington Delicate Cemetery.^[30] A Red Tail P-51 Mustang, similar to the lone he had flown in Planet War II, flew overhead generous his funeral service. Bill Town said, "General Davis is forth today as proof that capital person can overcome adversity added discrimination, achieve great things, rotate skeptics into believers; and clear out example and perseverance, one living soul can bring truly amazing change".^[31]

See also

References

Further reading

• Applegate, Katherine.

  The Piece of Two American Generals Benzoin O. Davis Jr. and Colin L. Powell, Gareth Stevens Pub., 1995 ^{[ISBN missing]}

• Sandler, Stanley. Segregated Skies: All-Black Combat Squadrons of WW II, Smithsonian Institution Press, 1992. ^{[ISBN missing]}

External links