Benjamin Davis Jr., born December 18th, 1912, was one of those extraordinary military heroes that don't come along often enough. He was the first African American to be promoted to the rank of General in the United States Air Force. However, this is not the most noticeable of his achievements.
Gen. Davis was born into a military family where his father, Davis Sr. had been promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the U.S. Army. This was certainly an honor for his father, whose military career was fraught with prejudice, segregation and plenty of disrespect. Davis Jr. entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1932 and was the first African American to complete 4 years at the elite school. During his time at West Point, Davis endured much the same ridicule as his father had in the Air Force, as segregation was still the running theme in the country.
Davis Jr. intended to continue with his military career goals, having become interested in flight at the age of 14. There was very little he would allow to stop him from proving that a black man can accomplish every bit as much as a white man when it came to protecting and defending the country he loved. After his application to the Army Air Corps was rejected due to the color of his skin, one could say that it only added to his determination to prove himself. In 1941, Davis enlisted in an all black flying unit training program and because it was thought that black men could not lead white soldiers, he stayed with this unit and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He worked endlessly during the integration of black and white troops and was awarded the Silver Star and a Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts.
Post a Comment
<< Home