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Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Jr.
Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Jr. (1912–) U.S. army officer and aviator. Davis Jr. was born in Washington, D.C., the son of the first African-American general. He graduated from West Point in 1936 as an infantryman, but he was among the first group of blacks admitted to pilot training in 1941, and became the first to make a solo flight. He organized and commanded the all-black 99th Fighter Squadron and 332nd Fighter Group, both which he led with distinction in European combat. After the war he served as chief of the fighter branch for the new U.S. Air Force, and in 1953 he took over the crack 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing in Korea. He became the first black major general in 1959, and the first to get a third star in 1965. When he retired in 1970 he was deputy commander of the U.S. Strike Command. After retirement he served in a number of important government posts including assistant secretary of transportation. In 1998 President Bill Clinton promoted Davis to full general on the retired list.
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"Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Jr." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Jr." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-DavisBenjaminOliverJr.html "Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Jr." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-DavisBenjaminOliverJr.html |
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Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr.
Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr. 1912–2002, American air force general, b. Washington, D.C.; son of Benjamin Oliver Davis . After studying at Western Reserve and Chicago universities, he attended West Point, graduating in 1936. At the academy, Davis was the only African American in a white student body and was ostracized by the majority of the cadets, who would speak to him only in the line of duty. Following graduation he served as an infantry officer, entered the U.S. air force, and completed his flight training in 1942. During World War II he distinguished himself as a combat pilot, leading the Tuskegee Airmen. In 1954, Davis became the first African-American general in the U.S. air force; from 1965 to 1970 he served as lieutenant general. In 1971 he became an assistant secretary for the department of transportation, leaving the department in 1975.
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Cite this article
"Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-DavisBOJr.html "Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-DavisBOJr.html |
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