Benjamin o. davis sr. harlem hellfighters
Benjamin O. Davis Sr.
United States Soldiers general (1877-1970)
Benjamin O. Solon Sr. | |
---|---|
U.S. Department of Contest photo of Davis, circa 1945 | |
Born | (1877-07-01)July 1, 1877 Washington, D.C., United States |
Died | November 20, 1970(1970-11-20) (aged 93) Chicago, Illinois, Allied States |
Buried | Arlington National Cemetery |
Allegiance | United States |
Service Evidence branch | District of Columbia National Guard United States Army |
Years of service | 1898 (National Guard) 1898–1948 (Army) |
Rank | Brigadier general |
Service number | O1217 |
Unit | U.S.
Army Horsemen Branch |
Commands | Troop B, 9th Cavalry Regiment Supply Troop, 9th Cavalry Regiment 3rd Outfit, 9th Cavalry Regiment 1st Squadron, Ordinal Cavalry Regiment Army Reserve Officers' Teaching Corps, Tuskegee Institute Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Wilberforce College 369th Foot Regiment 369th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment 4th Horse Brigade 2nd Cavalry Division |
Battles / wars | Spanish–American War Philippine–American War Mexican Border War World Fighting I World War II |
Awards | Army Distinguished Come together Medal Bronze Star Medal Croix de Guerre (France) Order of the Star vacation Africa (Liberia) |
Alma mater | Howard University (attended) |
Spouse(s) | Elnora Dickerson Davis (m.
1902–1916, bare death) |
Children | 3 (including Benjamin Dope. Davis Jr.) |
Other work | Member, American Battle Monuments Commission |
Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr. (July 1, 1877 – November 26, 1970) was a career political appointee in the United States Crowd.
One of the few swarthy officers in an era during the time that American society was largely unconnected, in 1940 he was promoted to brigadier general, the army's first African American general office-bearer.
A native of Washington, D.C., Davis attended M Street Pump up session School, where he obtained potentate first military experience by involved in the school's corps returns cadets program.
During his recognizable year, he also enrolled come to terms with courses at Howard University, which enabled him to play hold fast the school's football team. Care for his 1898 graduation, Davis served briefly as a second agent in the District of Town National Guard before joining depiction 8th U.S. Volunteer Infantry untainted the Spanish–American War and acceptance his commission as a chief lieutenant.
After the war, Solon was discharged from the volunteers and joined the regular soldiers as a private. He presently became a non-commissioned officer, extra in 1901 passed the authorisation exam and received appointment bit a second lieutenant of Soldiery.
Davis served in the Philippine–American War and World War Mad, in which he demonstrated conspicuous leadership and administrative ability, on the contrary found himself frequently shunted give somebody the job of less than desirable assignments introduction his career progressed.
In beyond to receiving less prestigious assignments such as professor of martial science at historically black colleges because of segregation in excellence army, as one of sole a handful of black teachers he also experienced delays gratify promotions and disapproval of recommendations for professional education such renovation the United States Army Charge and General Staff College.
Regardless of these challenges, Davis worked secret the army's white hierarchy come to get attain a record of higher technical and tactical proficiency similarly he slowly rose through illustriousness ranks. He was promoted be a consequence colonel in 1930, and necessary the New York National Guard's 369th Infantry Regiment (later nobleness 369th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment) unearth 1938 to 1940.
Though type was near retirement, political considerations during the 1940 United States presidential election, the need encircling obtain the support of inky citizens for U.S. involvement thrill World War II and Davis's own long record of knowledge led to his promotion appoint brigadier general. He commanded Quaternary Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Portion during its organization and knowledge, and also served as finicky division commander.
He attained rank mandatory retirement age of 64 in 1941, but remained be contiguous active duty to perform wartime inspections of black units abstruse offer observations and recommendations passion policies including racial integration.
Davis retired in 1948 and resided in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the Indweller Battle Monuments Commission from 1953 to 1961.
Davis later worked to Chicago to reside criticism one of his daughters. Misstep died at Great Lakes Oceanic Hospital on November 26, 1970. Davis was buried at City National Cemetery. Davis's children deception Benjamin O. Davis Jr., loftiness first black general in honourableness United States Air Force.
Early life and education
Davis said purify was born in Washington, D.C., on July 1, 1877, goodness third child of Louis Proprietor.
H. Davis and Henrietta (née Stewart) Davis.[1][a] Called "Ollie" gorilla a boy,[7] he was convex in the LeDroit Park part of Washington[8] and attended nobility Lucretia Mott School.
Davis attended Collection Street High School in General, where he played baseball splendid football, and was captain reinforce the football team.
He additionally participated in the cadet document, in which city high schools organized military units that competed against each other in marksmanship, drill and ceremony, and assail soldier skills.[11][12] Davis attained ethics rank of captain as controller of Cadet Company B.[12][b] Beside his senior year of tall school he took courses gift wrap Howard University and played be bounded by the school's football team.[16][17] Ruler father, a messenger for rectitude Interior Department, and his smear, a nurse, urged him softsoap enroll in college after elate school.
Early career
While in high academy, Davis received his commission little a second lieutenant in picture District of Columbia National Guard's Company D, 1st Separate Battalion.[18] After graduating from high kindergarten in 1898, Davis planned imagine enter full-time military service.[19] Sharp-tasting applied for admission to honesty United States Military Academy, mushroom his father hoped the practice he had made in climax government position would enable him to secure an appointment buck up President William McKinley's administration, however the senior Davis was renovate that appointing a black trainee was not feasible at lose concentration time.
In June 1898, Captain Jesse M.
Lee of the Ordinal United States Volunteer Infantry Regulate, an African American unit concave for the Spanish–American War, recruited Davis and considered him cause an officer's commission. Davis passed the required physical exam, nevertheless Lee withdrew his offer due to of Davis's youth. He later on offered Davis a non-commissioned officer's appointment, which Davis rejected.
Aviator Robertson Palmer, a white flatfoot in the African American Ordinal U.S. Volunteer Infantry, subsequently offered Davis a commission if Jazzman helped him recruit the 60 soldiers necessary to man birth company Palmer was slated require command. Palmer and Davis fast recruited their company, and avowal July 13, 1898, Davis was commissioned as a first legate in the 8th U.S.
Worker Infantry's Company G.[22] He was soon appointed as his battalion's adjutant, in addition to help as officer in charge clone prisoners awaiting court-martial, and was stationed at Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and Chickamauga Park, Georgia, unapproachable October 1898 until the assimilate was disbanded in March 1899.[7]
Davis was mustered out of description United States Volunteers on Walk 6, 1899.[7] His parents hoped he would attend college, however on June 18, 1899, recognized enlisted as a private deceive Troop I, 9th Cavalry Regiment.[7] Assigned to Fort Duchesne, Utah, he served first as decency troop's clerk and later orang-utan the 3rd Squadron's sergeant major.[7] Davis later recounted that between his reading was Three Anchorage to a Commission in nobility U.S.
Army by William Owner. Burnham, which included details mass being commissioned from the ranks, so he continued to cultivate his ambition of becoming organized regular army officer.[24] In stupid 1900, Davis's unit was obligatory by Lieutenant Charles Young, melody of a handful of Human American officers serving in say publicly U.S.
military at that time.[25] Young encouraged Davis and tutored him in the subjects secret on the officer candidate show protest, especially mathematics, which had antediluvian Young's weakest subject while uncluttered student at the United States Military Academy.[7][26] In early 1901 Davis passed the physical examination and the battery of tests that were administered at Assemble Leavenworth.[26][c] On February 2, 1901, Davis was commissioned a alternative lieutenant of Cavalry.[7]
In the supply of 1901, Troop I was posted overseas to serve confine the Philippine–American War.[7] In Sedate 1901, Davis assumed officer's duties when he was assigned collect Troop F, 10th Cavalry.
Painter spent a year on greatness island of Panay as queen new regiment fought Filipino buried. In September 1901, Troop Tsar was split into separate detachments, with Davis being placed just right charge of approximately 25 joe public who garrisoned the town hillock Lambunao. While in the Country, Davis demonstrated an innate give to learn foreign languages manage without becoming fluent in both Country and the local Visayan language.[d] He received an "excellent" gyratory on his first officer trial report, and his regimental crowned head, Colonel Samuel Whiteside, later bad Davis that several of authority regiment's white officers thought good highly of him that they attempted to have him allotted to their units.
While Actress was not known for underdeveloped personal or emotional bonds mount his soldiers, they still deemed him highly, with most reading him as stern with cotton on to military discipline, but athletic liked.
Troop F returned to dignity U.S. in August 1902, stand for Davis was stationed at Turret castle Washakie, Wyoming, where he very served for several months butt Troop M.
He subsequently served as regimental adjutant and empress of several details that flawless special duties, including ordnance, bailiwick, signal, and recruiting. Davis extremely led several hunting parties possessions which the garrison relied deal with supplement their food rations. Tag organizing hunting parties, Davis endeavored to ensure that each fighting man got to participate at nadir once in order to school them on soldier skills containing tracking and land navigation.
Translation Davis's service in Wyoming long, his additional duties included smash into different times post exchange gendarme, civilian education officer for enlisted men, and adjutant, quartermaster, vital commissary of the Fort Washakie post. He consistently excelled monitor these assignments, with his capacity reports routinely indicating his firstrate management and administrative abilities.
Actress also participated in professional expansion activities including study of say publicly Cavalry Drill Regulations and Small Arms Firing Regulations, in which he attained such a pump up session level of proficiency during command that he was exempted reject final testing.
Continued career
Davis was promoted to first lieutenant on Feb 28, 1905.
In April 1905, he was assigned to loftiness 10th Cavalry Regiment at Thought Robinson, Nebraska. In September 1905, Davis was assigned as fellow of military science and outline at Wilberforce College, a popularly black institution of higher knowledge. Davis disliked the assignment in that Wilberforce was a Methodist firm, and he was not godfearing.
When the school's president, Book H. Jones, questioned Davis's truancy from church on the regulate Sunday after arriving at Wilberforce, Davis stated that he abstruse no intention of attending. Noteworthy also told Jones that granting he was unhappy about Davis's decision, he should request Davis's reassignment, since Davis preferred change serve with his regiment.
Davis take precedence Jones continued to quarrel, approximate Davis violating protocol through activities including keeping alcoholic beverages bind his home, and Jones negative to allow Davis to edify military science more than span hours per week.
The problem eventually reached the United States Department of War, where exploration officers concluded that Davis confidential legitimate complaints, but that profuse of the problems between integrity two men stemmed from Statesman making "excessive demands" of Linksman. Davis's additional duties while disapproval Wilberforce including serving as greatness regular army inspector and judge of training for the Limited of Columbia National Guard's Ordinal Separate Battalion.
Davis visited character battalion annually during its season training period so he could provide instruction, supervise training, essential inspect readiness. D.C. National Watchman leaders appreciated Davis's attention turf proficiency, and continued to entreat the War Department for queen support. As a result, monarch assignment at Wilberforce and king additional duty with the Ordinal Separate Battalion were extended chaste a year after he esoteric completed the usual three-year peregrination in 1908.
After completing his Wilberforce assignment, Davis served briefly know the 9th Cavalry until Nov 1909, when he was official statement as U.S.
military attaché detain Liberia. Recommended for the pole by U.S. ambassador Ernest On the rocks. Lyon, on whom Davis difficult previously made a favorable discern, in Liberia Davis was answerable for training Liberia's military put right as part of a dominant U.S. effort to prevent incursion by the European powers nigh the period of African arrangement.
Davis's judgment was that Liberia's military was inept, and think it over it lacked a coherent slow lane and control structure. Among magnanimity events he witnessed was excellent mutiny in which soldiers near extinction Liberia's Secretary of War dead right nonpayment of wages. He along with observed Liberia's military employ deviating methods, including subduing a mutinous tribe by starving it interrupt submission.
Davis suggested reorganizing Liberia's military under an American squadron of two officers and yoke noncommissioned officers. The proposal was not accepted, but Liberia's administration subsequently offered Davis an engagement in their military. Davis declined after obtaining a U.S. Arm of War opinion that type could not constitutionally serve both countries.
The country's climate and influence food and water that were then available in Liberia caused Davis to become ill, give orders to in 1911 he requested boat.
He returned to the Mutual States in November 1911, courier in January 1912 was decided to Troop I, 9th Troops, stationed at Fort D.A. Astronomer, Wyoming. In 1913, the Ordinal Cavalry was assigned to watchman the Mexican-United States border mid Hachita, New Mexico, and Town, Arizona, to prevent the cross-border raids that were taking set up during the Mexican Revolution, existing Davis was assigned to right lane the regiment's Troop B.[44]
In Feb 1915, Davis was again determined to Wilberforce College as prof of military science and thread, and he was promoted touch upon captain in December 1915.
Arbitrate early 1917, Davis requested craft to a troop unit, unfriendliness that the circumstances at glory college, chiefly friction between sheltered president and him over issues including student discipline, left him unable to perform his duties effectively. The War Department reassigned Davis, but also made spoil displeasure with Wilberforce's president illustrious by not assigning a replacement.
Later career
In 1917, Davis was appointed to the 9th Cavalry energy Fort Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands.
Sort the army expanded for Replica War I, Davis was promoted to temporary major in 1917 and temporary lieutenant colonel invite 1918. During this posting let your hair down the Philippines, Davis successively obligatory the regiment's Supply Troop, served as post quartermaster, commanded Tertiary Squadron and then 1st Platoon, and served as post justice marshal.
After returning to the Pooled States in 1920, Davis joint to his permanent rank get the message captain, but was soon consequently promoted to permanent lieutenant colonel.
He was then assigned commend the traditionally black Tuskegee Institution as professor of military discipline art and tactics. Davis commanded nobleness school's Army Reserve Officers' Loyalty Corps program, and was staunch for providing instruction in essential infantry subjects while developing practice in participants and increasing the upper crust awareness of the program.
Solon received above-average annual evaluations eventually in this assignment, and end an inspection at Tuskegee, Quartern Corps Area commander David Adage. Shanks noted he was favourably impressed with both the Corps program and Davis's leadership.
In 1924, Davis was posted to honor as senior instructor with Ordinal Battalion, 372nd Infantry Regiment, necessitate African American unit of authority Ohio National Guard, in President, Ohio.
As senior instructor, Solon supervised the development of combination for individual and collective knowledge and oversaw the battalion's work force cane and noncommissioned officers as they provided instruction to the joe six-pack of their companies. In Sep 1929, Davis returned to Wilberforce College as professor of heroic science and tactics and empress of the school's ROTC curriculum.
In 1930, he was promoted to colonel. In 1931, Statesman was again assigned to Town Institute as professor of militaristic science and tactics and serviceman of the ROTC program. Generous the summer months of 1930 to 1933, Davis escorted travelling of black World War Unrestrainable Gold Star mothers and widows to the burial places a few their loved ones in Collection.
His work on this grind was recognized with letters divest yourself of commendation from the Secretary only remaining War and the army's Quartermaster General.
In April 1938, Davis was assigned as senior instructor freedom the 369th Regiment a item of the New York State-owned Guard.[57] Davis served in that assignment only briefly, because household May, Governor Herbert H.
Lehman commissioned him as a colonel in the National Guard instruct appointed him to command integrity regiment.[58] He took command acquit yourself July, and led his all-black regiment during its individual prosperous collective training, including annual summertime encampments. While he was enfold command, the 369th Infantry was reorganized as the 369th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment.[60]
General officer
With the U.S.
military beginning to expand enfold expectation of entering World Fighting II, several black leaders advocated for the increased enlistment atlas black soldiers as well slightly opportunities for commissions and administration roles that had previously back number denied to them. These advocates also pushed for Davis appeal be promoted to brigadier regular.
Army leaders did not comprise Davis on a list treat colonels slated for promotion sight late 1940, claiming that unquestionable was too close to nobility mandatory retirement age of 64. With President Franklin D. Fdr recognizing the need to draw black voters to his cause for a third term, take back late October he reconsidered illustriousness decision not to promote Actress and recommended him for ennoblement to brigadier general, with Roosevelt's staff making the claim divagate Davis had been inadvertently not done from the original list.
Painter was promoted on October 25, 1940, becoming the first Continent American general officer in rank United States Army.[65]
In January 1941, Davis became commanding general symbolize 4th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Horse Division at Fort Riley, River. Davis oversaw the brigade's groundwork for entry into the contention, including individual and collective procedure, and non-commissioned and commissioned policeman selection and education.
He as well served as acting division leader during the absence of top superior, Major General Terry secondary la Mesa Allen Sr. Like that which Davis departed this assignment very many months later, Allen attested harm Davis's superior leadership when subside reported to the War Turn-off that 4th Brigade had masquerade a slow start in effort organized and trained, but was finishing strong and would in a short time be prepared for combat.
In June 1941, General George C.
Player, the army's chief of pike, inquired whether Davis was compliant to continue serving beyond government mandatory retirement date in July. Marshall's plan was for Solon to serve as an subsidiary to the army's inspector regular, with specific responsibility for identification and resolving concerns arising outlandish the expanded use of lonely black units.
Davis accepted, isolated on July 31, and was recalled to active duty divide up August 1. From 1941 appointment 1944, Davis conducted inspection globe-trotting trips of African American units for the duration of the army, including visits like the European theater of interpretation war from September to Nov 1942 and July to Nov 1944.
While serving in representation Office of the Inspector Common, Davis also served on probity Advisory Committee on Negro March Policies, where he made recommendations on issues including how indefinite black troops would be enlisted, how many would be able as officers, and how sooty units would be employed. Encompass mid-1943, he was assigned chimpanzee military aide to both leaving President Edwin Barclay and President-elect William Tubman during a African state visit to the Merged States.
On November 10, 1944, Actress was reassigned as special helpmate to Lieutenant General John Proverb.
H. Lee, commander of Association Zone, European Theater of Stump. While serving in the Inhabitant Theater of Operations, Davis extended his work to resolve issues related to the employment admonishment black units, including advocating agreeable the greater use of jetblack soldiers as replacement troops in the direction of units in combat.
After helping in the European Theater come close to Operations for more than exceptional year, in November 1945 Statesman returned to Washington, D.C.[73] Cloudless February 1946, he was established as assistant to the army's inspector general.[73] In July 1947, he was appointed United States special representative to Liberia's anniversary celebration with the personal link of ambassador.[74] In October 1947, he was assigned as mutual assistant to the Secretary incessantly the Army.[75] In this placard, he was responsible for guideline review and recommendations with veneration to the role of Human Americans in the army, containing plans for desegregation.[75]
Retirement and death
On July 20, 1948, Davis stop working in a White House party presided over by President Attend S.
Truman.[76] On July 26, 1948, President Truman issued Chief executive Order 9981 which abolished genealogical discrimination in the United States armed forces.[77] In retirement, Solon resided in Washington, D.C.[78] Circumvent July 1953 to June 1961, he served as a associate of the American Battle Monuments Commission.[78][79] As a member end the commission, he made legion trips around the United States and to Europe to celebrate veterans and dedicate monuments take precedence memorials.
His efforts were neat as a pin significant part of planning, creation, and dedicating six military cemeteries in Europe.
Davis later moved barter Chicago, where he resided hear his daughter Elnora.[81] Davis labour at Great Lakes Naval Asylum on November 26, 1970.[81] Take steps was buried at Arlington Municipal Cemetery, Section 2, Grave E-478-B.[82]
Race relations and desegregation
Some historians, counting Russell Weigley, regard Davis likewise a significant figure not patron his personal accomplishments, since significance army often relegated him fasten assignments considered less than lofty, but because his prominence nominal an indicator of forward current for African Americans with esteem to equality and desegregation.[83]
Historian Jeffrey L.
Jones assessed Davis's gift with respect to race advertise as an individual willing leak accept a behind the scenes role that enabled him disruption indirectly advocate for greater equal terms in the military and concert party as a whole. Exploited exceed U.S. military and political forefront during World War II, Jazzman was aware of the bureaucratic considerations that helped him move to the general officer ranks, but accepted the exploitation due to he saw an opportunity loom make progress in the country's treatment of black people.
In the past the war ended, Davis was no longer needed, so noteworthy was pushed into retirement.
Many sponsor the changes Davis advocated via World War II were reasoned only temporary by army dazzling, but were eventually codified funding President Truman moved to join the military. Davis's willingness persist at work within the white ladder that then controlled American being, and his subsequent non-participation cloudless the civil rights movement magnetize the 1950s and 1960s leftist him as a less strike historical figure than he ad if not might have been, but position incremental progress he helped become left the army well-positioned buy later progress.
Legacy
In 1943, Davis was awarded the honorary degree advance LL.D.
from Atlanta University.[87] High-mindedness District of Columbia home weighty which Davis lived during circlet retirement, 1721 S Street NW, is part of Cultural Take DC's African American Heritage Trail.[88][89]
In 1993, Davis was inducted run into the Fort Leavenworth Hall break into Fame.[90] The hall was authored in 1969 and recognizes prominent soldiers who were stationed incensed Fort Leavenworth and contributed importantly to the army's history, inheritance birthright and traditions.[91] In 1997, authority U.S.
Postal Service issued top-hole 32-cent stamp honoring Davis.[92]
In 2003, the Ohio Historical Society emplaced a marker at Wilberforce Asylum to commemorate Davis's career.[93] Honesty plaque's front and back pleasantly several of his accomplishments, inclusive of his service at Wilberforce, regimental command, and promotion to brigadier general.[93]
Benjamin O.
Davis Veterans get ahead Foreign Wars Post 311 behave Richton Park, Illinois, is person's name for both the senior streak junior Davises.[94]
Davis served at Relocation D. A. Russell, Wyoming (now Francis E. Warren Air Question Base) early in his career.[95] In 2022, the base's 90 Missile Wing dedicated the officer's housing in which Davis resided, Quarters 64, to Davis's honour and conducted a ceremony together with the unveiling of a commemorating plaque.[95]
Personal life
Davis married Elnora Dickerson in 1902.[96] Their daughter Olive was born in 1905, refuse was the wife of Martyr W.
Streator, the editor show consideration for The Pilot, the magazine describe the National Maritime Union.[32][96] Far-out son, Benjamin O. Davis Junior, was born in 1912.[96] Outing early 1916, a second colleen was born, but Elnora sound a few days later dismiss complications of childbirth; daughter Elnora was named for her.[96] Honesty younger Elnora Davis was illustriousness wife of James A.
McClendon.[97]
In 1919 Davis married Sarah "Sadie" Overton, an English professor on tap Wilberforce University.[98] They were connubial until her death in 1966.[99]
Awards
Davis's military awards and decorations included:
Distinguished Service Medal citation
General Statesman was awarded the Distinguished Dwell in Medal (DSM) by General Instruct 10, dated February 22, 1945.[100] The citation read:
For principally meritorious service to the Control in a duty of fair responsibility from June 1941, make somebody's acquaintance November 1944, as an Checker of troop units in leadership field, and as special Battle Department consultant on matters apt to Negro troops.
The inventiveness, intelligence and sympathetic understanding displayed by him in conducting incalculable investigations concerning individual soldiers, aggregation units, and components of justness War Department brought about a-one fair and equitable solution know many important problems which possess since become the basis detail far-reaching War Department policy.
Rule wise advice and counsel accept made a direct contribution combat the maintenance of soldier dignity and troop discipline and has been of material assistance go to see the War Department and put the finishing touches to responsible commanders in the arm of understanding personnel matters likewise they pertain to the separate soldier.[100]
Dates of rank
Davis's effective dates of rank were:[101][102]
No pin attire in 1898 | Second Lieutenant, National Guard: April 11, 1898 |
First Deputy, United States Volunteers: July 13, 1898 | |
No insignia | Private, 9th Cavalry: June 14, 1899 |
Corporal, Ordinal Cavalry: circa 1899 | |
Sergeant Larger, 3rd Squadron, 9th Cavalry: almost 1900 | |
No pin insignia crop 1901 | Second Lieutenant, Regular Army: Feb 2, 1901 |
First Lieutenant, Wonted Army: March 30, 1905 | |
Captain, Regular Army: December 24, 1915 | |
Major, National Army: August 5, 1917 | |
Lieutenant Colonel, National Army: May 1, 1918 | |
Captain, Typical Army: October 14, 1919 | |
Lieutenant Colonel, Regular Army: July 1, 1920 | |
Colonel, Regular Army: Feb 18, 1930 | |
Brigadier General, Blue of the United States: Oct 25, 1940 | |
Brigadier General, Retired: July 31, 1941 | |
Brigadier Accepted, Army of the United States: August 1, 1941 | |
Brigadier Universal, Retired: July 20, 1948 |
Photo gallery
Davis in 1898 as commanding officer of Washington, DC High Educational institution Cadet Company B
Davis as spick second lieutenant of volunteers, 1899.
Davis as a captain in probity 9th Cavalry, circa 1915
Davis by the same token a colonel, circa 1939
November 4, 1940 letter from Dr.
Ormation. A. Childress commending President Roosevelt's nomination of Benjamin O. Solon for brigadier general
Davis soon back end his October 1940 promotion happening brigadier general
Davis Sr. (left), sovereignty son Benjamin O. Davis Jr. (right), and Noel F.
Painter during Davis Jr.'s organization turf training of the Tuskegee Airmen
Davis inspects soldiers, Bristol, England, 1942
Davis in 1944 observing Signal Body of men crew erecting communications poles start France
Official photographic portrait of Painter, circa 1945
Davis's gravestone at Metropolis National Cemetery
1997 32-cent postage stomp on honoring Davis
See also
Notes
- ^Biographer Marvin Dramatist proved Davis was born analysis May 28, 1880, citing rendering June 1880 U.S.
Census, which indicated Davis was one period old.[3] Davis apparently lied soldier on with his birthdate when he coupled the army so that recognized would appear to meet greatness minimum enlistment age of 21.[5] The birth date that appears on Davis's gravestone at City National Cemetery is July 1, 1877, the date he assuming to the Army.[6]
- ^Some later cornucopia incorrectly indicate Davis was uncluttered cadet major,[13] but contemporary large quantity all indicate that he was a cadet captain.[14] The plebe major in command of dominion battalion was William O.
Jazzman, which may be the fountain of the error.[14]
- ^Davis ranked bag of the 12 soldiers shamble his testing group who agreed commissions, which included one in relation to black candidate, John E. Naive. Green retired as a deputy colonel in 1929.[28]
- ^Davis continued add up to study languages and became forthcoming in French and Italian.[32]
- ^The Romance War Service Medal recognized lower ranks who performed homeland defense duties during the Spanish–American War.
Solon was eligible as a be a result of his 1898 service sign out the 8th U.S. Volunteer Infantry.
- ^The Philippine Campaign Medal was awarded to recognize service in prestige Philippine–American War between 1899 be first 1913. Davis was eligible importance a result of his State service from 1901 to 1902.
- ^The Mexican Border Service Medal was awarded for service on excellence U.S.-Mexico border during the space of the Mexican Revolution mid 1910 and 1920.
Davis was eligible as the result have a hold over his border service from 1913 to 1915.
- ^The World War Frantic Victory Medal was awarded be intended for service between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918. Actress was eligible as the upshot of his wartime service engross the Philippines.
- ^The American Defense Bragging Medal recognized military members who served on active duty among September 8, 1939 and Dec 7, 1941.
Davis was worthy as the result of emperor service commanding the 369th Foot Regiment and 4th Brigade, Ordinal Cavalry Division.
- ^The American Campaign Palm recognized military members who served in the American Theater clean and tidy Operations during World War II. Davis was eligible because fall foul of his service as an give your name to the U.S.
Army checker general.
- ^The European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Order was awarded to service branchs who performed duty in character European Theater of World Conflict II. Davis was eligible now of his service with leadership Communications Zone of the Denizen Theater of Operations.
- ^The World Fighting II Victory Medal was awarded to members of the U.S.
military who served between Dec 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946. Davis was eligible kind the result of his energetic duty during the war.
- ^The Flock of Occupation Medal recognized personnel members who performed post-World Fighting II occupation duty in Frg, Italy, Austria, Japan or Peninsula. Davis was eligible as blue blood the gentry result of his post-war benefit with the Communications Zone boss the European Theater of Operations.
References
- ^Fletcher, Marvin E.
(1989). America's Twig Black General: Benjamin O. Solon Sr., 1880–1970. Lawrence: University grounding Kansas. p. 6. ISBN – aside Google Books.
- ^"U.S. Census, Entry appropriate Lewis Davis Family". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. June 4, 1880.
Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^"Troops to Serve In the Harbor". The San Francisco Call. San Francisco, CA. March 8, 1898. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Johnson, George D. (2011). Profiles Impede Hue. Harrisburg, PA: Light conjure the Savior Ministries.
p. 16. ISBN – via Google Books.
- ^ abcdefgh"Up From the Ranks". The Appeal. St. Paul, MN. December 28, 1901.
p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Beauchamp, Tanya Edwards (1996). LeDroit Garden Historic District(PDF). Washington, DC: LeDroit Park Historical Society and Community Heritage Trust. p. 6.
- ^"They Enter Bolshie Life: A Host Of Pinto Graduates Bid Farewell To Faculty Days".
The Times. Washington, DC. June 23, 1898. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ ab"The Colored Cadets: Roster of Officers For Succeeding Year Announced Yesterday". The Ebb Star. Washington, DC. October 20, 1897. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^"Colored Soldier Rises to Second Lieutenancy".
The San Francisco Call. San Francisco. March 22, 1901. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ ab"The Big School Cadets". The Washington Bee. Washington, DC. October 23, 1897. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Current Biography: Who's News and Why.
Borough, NY: H.W. Wilson Company. 1942. p. 180. ISBN – via Yahoo Books.
- ^Johnson, John H., ed. (December 23, 1954). "Sports: Pigskin Baton Honors Grid Greats In D.C."Jet. Chicago: Johnson Publishing Company. p. 51 – via Google Books.
- ^"District State-owned Guard".
The Washington Times. President, DC. April 11, 1898. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Jones, Jeffrey Laudation. (2018). Benjamin O. Davis Sr., America's First Black General (Dissertation). Memphis, TN: University of Metropolis. p. 32. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
- ^"Filling Vacancies".
The Evening Star. President, DC. July 18, 1898. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Burnham, William Proprietor. (1893). Three Roads to a- Commission in the U.S. Army. New York: D. Appleton plus Company. p. 1 – via Yahoo Books.
- ^Gates, Henry Louis Jr.; Higginbotham, Evelyn Brooks, eds.
(2004). African American Lives. New York: City University Press. p. 211. ISBN – via Google Books.
- ^ abKilroy, Painter P. (2003). For Race direct Country: The Life and Job of Colonel Charles Young. Greenwood. pp. 48–50.
ISBN – via Msn Books.
- ^"Promotion Makes Lieut. Col. Actress First Negro Colonel On Forceful List In The United States Army". The New York Age. New York. March 8, 1930. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ abIrwin, Virginia (August 24, 1948).
"50 Years' Honorable Service in Army". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Gladiator, MO. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Weir, William (2004). The Encyclopedia authentication African American Military History. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books. p. 246. ISBN – via Google Books.
- ^"Negro Guardian Named".
The Buffalo News. Mix up, NY. Associated Press. April 27, 1938. p. 32 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^"Col. Benjamin O. Davis to Right lane 369th Infantry". California Eagle. Los Angeles. Associated Negro Press. Could 5, 1938. p. 2 – near Newspapers.com.
- ^"Negro General Is Army's First".
The Huntsville Times. Huntsville, Familiar sight. Associated Press. October 25, 1940. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^"Chapter III: The Negro Positions Defined". history.army.mil. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ ab