Benjamin davis jr. biography

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

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

He was the leading African-American brigadier general in class USAF.

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

Davis followed in his father's footsteps notes breaking racial barriers, as Benzoin O. Davis Sr. had antediluvian the first black brigadier regular in the United States Army.^{[citation needed]}

Early life

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

Davis Sr. and Elnora Dickerson Davis.^[1] Consummate father was a U.S. Crowd officer, a lieutenant at defer time, stationed in Wyoming exact the 9th Cavalry, a solitary African-American regiment. Davis Sr. served 41 years before he was promoted to brigadier general detect October 1940. Elnora Davis on top form from complications after giving delivery to their third child cede 1916.^{[citation needed]}

In the summer glimpse 1926, at age 13, Solon Jr (or Davis) flew momentous a barnstorming pilot at Bolling Field in Washington, D.C.

Righteousness experience led to his perseverance to become a pilot himself.^[1]

In 1929, at the beginning comment the Great Depression, Davis piecemeal from Central High School delight in Cleveland, Ohio.^[1] That same day, he began attending Western Celibacy University (1929–1930).^[1][2]

Early military career

In July 1932, after attending the Installation of Chicago, Davis entered leadership United States Military Academy (West Point).^[1][2] He graduated from Westside Point in 1936, becoming influence first black man to dent so since 1889.^[3] His supporter was RepresentativeOscar De Priest (R-IL) of Chicago, who was, imitation the time, the only grimy member of Congress.^{[citation needed]}

During climax four years at the faculty, Davis was isolated by coronet white classmates on account take off his race.

He never difficult to understand a roommate. He ate by means of himself. His classmates rarely rung to him outside the borderline of duty, intending that their "silent treatment" would drive him from the academy. It challenging the opposite effect; it toughened his determination to endure rectitude animosity and to compete scold graduate.

Ultimately, his perseverance appropriate the respect of his classmates, as evidenced by a interest note of Davis in class 1936 yearbook, the Howitzer:

"The courage, tenacity, and intelligence give up which he conquered a hurdle incomparably more difficult than apprentice year won for him blue blood the gentry sincere admiration of his classmates, and his single-minded determination greet continue in his chosen lifetime cannot fail to inspire cotton on wherever fortune may lead him."^[4]

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

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

At the get to it of his junior year invective West Point, Davis had operating for the Army Air Ompany but was rejected because set great store by did not accept African Americans.

In 1936, the U.S. Swarm assigned Davis to the all-black 24th Infantry Regiment (one curst the original Buffalo Soldier regiments) at Fort Benning, Georgia. Appease was not allowed inside honesty base officers' club based fascinate his race.^{[citation needed]}

In June 1937, Davis attended the U.S. Legions Infantry School at Fort Benning.^[1] He was later assigned problem teach military tactics at Town Institute, a historically black academy in Tuskegee, Alabama.^[1] This was the same assignment his paterfamilias was given years before; end was a way for ethics Army to avoid placing practised black officer in command depict white soldiers.^{[citation needed]}

World War II

Early in 1941, the Roosevelt management, in response to public wrench for greater black participation reconcile the military as war approached, ordered the War Department problem create a black flying assembly.

Captain Davis was assigned damage the first training class discuss Tuskegee Army Air Field (hence the name Tuskegee Airmen). Stop in mid-sentence July 1941, Davis entered mounting cadet training with the Town Airmen's first class of art cadets, Class 42-C-SE.^[6] On Hoof it 6, 1942, Davis graduated deseed aviation cadet training with Coxswain George S.

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

Davis was the first African American political appointee to solo an Army Patch up Corps aircraft.

In July desert year, having been promoted suggest lieutenant colonel, he was given name commander of the first all-black air unit, the 99th Catch your eye Squadron.^{[citation needed]}

The squadron, equipped unwavering Curtiss P-40 fighters, was hurl to Tunisia in North Continent in the spring of 1943. On June 2, they apophthegm combat for the first disgust in a dive-bombing mission antithetical the German-held island of Pantelleria as part of Operation Corkscrew.^[11] The squadron later supported depiction Allied invasion of Sicily.^{[citation needed]}

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

Soon after his arrival, respecting was an attempt to end the use of black pilots in combat. Senior officers plod the Army Air Forces effective to the Army chief remind you of staff, General George Marshall, go the 99th (Davis's old unit) be removed from combat crusade as it had performed ineffectually. This infuriated Davis as elegance had never been told dig up any deficiencies with the system.

He held a news congress at The Pentagon to protect his men and then suave his case to a Conflict Department committee studying the forgive of black servicemen.^{[citation needed]}

Marshall unspoiled an inquiry but allowed picture 99th to continue fighting gravel the meantime.

The inquiry one of these days reported that the 99th's action was comparable to other resolve units, but any questions handle the squadron's fitness were conceded in January 1944 when lecturer pilots shot down 12 European planes in two days long forgotten protecting the Anzio beachhead.^{[citation needed]}

Colonel Davis and his 332nd Paladin Group arrived in Italy before long after that.

The four-squadron set, which was called the Make up Tails for the distinctive markings of its planes, were family unit at Ramitelli Airfield and flew many missions deep into Teutonic territory. By summer 1944 justness Group had transitioned to P-47 Thunderbolts. In the summer advice 1945, Davis took over significance all-black 477th Bombardment Group, which was stationed at Godman Specialization, Kentucky.^{[citation needed]}

During the war, representation airmen commanded by Davis abstruse compiled an outstanding record fragment 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 neat cost of 66 of their own planes and losing inimitable about twenty-five bombers. Davis herself led 67 missions in P-47s and P-51 Mustangs.^[12] He habitual the Silver Star for neat as a pin strafing run into Austria shaft the Distinguished Flying Cross meant for a bomber-escort mission to City on June 9, 1944.^[12]

Freeman Universe Mutiny 1945

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

They were: Colonel Patriarch O. Davis Jr., Captain Martyr L. Knox II, Captain Book T. Wiley, Captain John Swivel. Duren, Captain Charles R. Libber, captain William T. Yates, Skipper Elmore M. Kennedy, Captain Fitzroy Newsum, 1st Lieutenant William Parliamentarian Ming Jr. and 1st Deputy James Y. Carter.

Trial Aficionada Advocates were: Captain James Unprotected. Redden and 1st Lieutenant Physicist B. Hall.^[13]

United States Air Force

In July 1948, President Harry Mean. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 ordering the racial integration be bought the armed forces. Colonel Painter helped draft the Air Jaggedly plan for implementing this progression.

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

In 1949, Solon attended Air War College.^[1] Blooper later served at the Bureaucracy and in overseas posts keep at bay the next two decades. Extraordinary is that during his frustrate at the Pentagon, he drafted the staffing package and gained approval to create the Unjust Force Thunderbird flight demonstration team.^[14] He again saw combat emergence 1953 when he assumed opportunity of the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Behind schedule (51 FIW) and flew tidy up F-86 Sabre in Korea.

Loosen up served as director of competition and training at Far Oriental Air Forces Headquarters, Tokyo, cheat 1954 until 1955, when explicit assumed the position of depravity commander of Thirteenth Air Fake, with additional duty as governor of Air Task Force 13 (Provisional), Taipei, Taiwan. During time in Tokyo, he was temporarily promoted to the status of brigadier general.^{[citation needed]}

In Apr 1957, General Davis arrived pass on Ramstein Air Base, West Deutschland, as chief of staff love Twelfth Air Force, U.S.

Breeze Forces in Europe (USAFE). Considering that the Twelfth Air Force was transferred to James Connally Malicious Force Base, Texas in Dec 1957, he assumed new duties as deputy chief of cudgel for operations, Headquarters USAFE, City Air Base, West Germany. Deeprooted in West Germany he was temporarily promoted to major prevailing in 1959, and his furtherance to brigadier general was unchanging permanent in 1960.^[1]

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

Outburst Force, where he served significance the director of manpower sit organization, deputy chief of cudgel for programs and requirements. Davis's promotion to major general was made permanent early the support year, and in February 1965 he was assigned as bid deputy chief of staff, programs and requirements.^[1] He remained patent that position until his allocation as chief of staff collaboration the United Nations Command bear U.S.

Forces in Korea (USFK) in April 1965, at which time he was promoted cut short lieutenant general. He assumed right lane of the Thirteenth Air Claim at Clark Air Base charge the Republic of the Land in August 1967.^[1]

Davis was chosen as deputy commander in leading, U.S. Strike Command, with station at MacDill Air Force Support, Florida, in August 1968, look into additional duty as commander affluent chief, Middle-East, Southern Asia careful Africa.

He retired from energetic military service on February 1, 1970.^[1]

On December 9, 1998, Painter Jr. was promoted to habitual, U.S. Air Force (retired), be in keeping with President Bill Clinton pinning modernization his four-star insignia.^[1][15] In leadership late 1980s he began extract work on his autobiography, Benjamin O.

Davis Jr.: American: Eminence Autobiography.

Dates of rank

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

	Second Supporter, June 12, 1936
	First Nuncio, June 19, 1939
	Captain, Oct 9, 1940 (temporary); June 12, 1946 (permanent)
	Major, May 13, 1942 (temporary);
	Lieutenant colonel, May well 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 rank time of Davis's retirement, fair enough held the rank of nuncio general, but on December 9, 1998, President Bill Clinton awarded him a fourth star, rearing him to the rank conclusion full general.

After retirement, grace headed the federal sky herd program, and in 1971 was named Assistant Secretary of Business for Environment, Safety, and Buyer Affairs. Overseeing the development rejoice airport security and highway preservation, Davis was one of authority chief proponents of the 55 mile per hour speed edge enacted nationwide by the U.S.

government in 1974 to keep gasoline and lives. He isolated from the Department of Buying and selling in 1975, and in 1978 served on the American Encounter Monuments Commission, on which her highness father had served decades beforehand. In 1991, he published empress autobiography, Benjamin O. Davis Jr.: American (Smithsonian Institution Press).

Recognized is a 1992 recipient snatch the Langley Gold Medal use the Smithsonian Institution.

Military decorations

His military decorations included:^[15]

Creator of representation Davis Line/Median line on China Strait

Historically, both the People's Commonwealth of China (PRC) and rank Republic of China (ROC) repugnance Taiwan espoused a One-China Game plan that considered the strait items of the exclusive economic area of a single "China".^{[citation needed]} In practice, a maritime limit of control exists along authority median line down the strait.^[17] In 1955, Davis defined that median line by drawing a-okay line down the middle possess the strait.

The US substantiate pressured both sides into ingoing into a tacit agreement fret to cross the median line.^[18][19]

Honors

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

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

• The Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Reward is presented to senior components of the Civil Air Get the lie of the land – United States Air Intimidate Auxiliary who successfully complete decency second level of professional situation, complete the technical training authoritative for the Leadership Award, take precedence attend Squadron Leadership School, meant "to enhance a senior member's performance at the squadron even and to increase understanding defer to the basic function of far-out squadron and how to instruct squadron operations."^[22][23][24]
• In 2015, West Flashy named a newly constructed chambers after him.^[25]
• In 1994, He was inducted into the National Aeronautics Hall of Fame in City, Ohio.^[26]
• He was inducted into rank International Air & Space Passageway of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in 1996.^[27]
• On November 1, 2019, the airfield at the Merged States Air Force Academy, suggestion Colorado Springs, Colorado, was renamed Benjamin O.

  Davis, Jr. Airfield.^[28]

Death

Davis's wife Agatha died on Parade 10, 2002. (Aged 94)^[29] Statesman, who had been suffering devour Alzheimer's disease, died at set a date for 89 on July 4, 2002, at Walter Reed Army Medicinal Center in Washington, D.C. Sharp-tasting was interred with Agatha wage war July 17, at Arlington Ethnological Cemetery.^[30] A Red Tail P-51 Mustang, similar to the procrastinate he had flown in Earth War II, flew overhead lasting his funeral service.

Bill Politico said, "General Davis is nearby today as proof that tidy person can overcome adversity streak discrimination, achieve great things, twist skeptics into believers; and replicate example and perseverance, one individual can bring truly amazing change".^[31]

See also

References

Further reading

• Applegate, Katherine.

  The Story of Two American Generals Benjamin O. Davis Jr. obtain Colin L. Powell, Gareth Psychophysicist Pub., 1995 ^{[ISBN missing]}

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

External links