United States Army Brigadier General. He was the first African American to be promoted to General in U.S. Military history and also the father of U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. He entered military service during the Spanish American War in 1898 and served in the 8th U.S. Volunteer Infantry. Remaining in the Regular Army, he served as a Private to Sergeant Major in Troop I, 9th U.S. Cavalry. In 1901, he was he was commissioned an officer with the 2d Squadron, 10th Cavalry, in the Philippine Islands. Rising through the ranks, he served in various capacities in the states and overseas, retiring as Colonel on July 31, 1941 and recalled to active duty with the rank of Brigadier General the following day. During World War II, he was assigned to the European Theater as Special Assistant to the Commanding General, stationed in Paris, France. After the war, he was Assistant Inspector General, Washington, D.C., until he retired from active duty after fifty years service on July 14, 1948.
United States Army Brigadier General. He was the first African American to be promoted to General in U.S. Military history and also the father of U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. He entered military service during the Spanish American War in 1898 and served in the 8th U.S. Volunteer Infantry. Remaining in the Regular Army, he served as a Private to Sergeant Major in Troop I, 9th U.S. Cavalry. In 1901, he was he was commissioned an officer with the 2d Squadron, 10th Cavalry, in the Philippine Islands. Rising through the ranks, he served in various capacities in the states and overseas, retiring as Colonel on July 31, 1941 and recalled to active duty with the rank of Brigadier General the following day. During World War II, he was assigned to the European Theater as Special Assistant to the Commanding General, stationed in Paris, France. After the war, he was Assistant Inspector General, Washington, D.C., until he retired from active duty after fifty years service on July 14, 1948.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
District of Columbia
Brigadier General
US Army
Spanish American War
World War I & II
Distinguished Service Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Family Members
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