Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Sr. (1880-1970), was the first African American to become a general in the armed forces of the United States. In 1940, the Army made Davis a brigadier general. He became the highest ranking African American officer up to that time.
Davis was born on May 28, 1880, in Washington, D.C. He enrolled at Howard University in 1897. In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, Davis joined a volunteer regiment. He enlisted in the Regular Army as a private in 1899. He quickly earned a series of promotions.
Davis took on several roles with the Army. He served as an officer in the Philippines in the early 1900’s. He also served with the famous all-black 9th and 10th Cavalry regiments. These regiments were known as the “Buffalo Soldiers.” Davis later became a professor of military science and tactics. He taught the subjects at Wilberforce University, in Ohio, and at Tuskegee Institute, in Alabama. Davis was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1920 and to colonel in 1930. He won a temporary promotion to brigadier general in 1940. He became a full brigadier general the following year.
During World War II (1939-1945), Davis served in Europe as an adviser to the Army on issues related to African American soldiers. He worked to ease racial tension in the Army. He also served as a member of the Army inspector general’s staff on several occasions. Members of the inspector general’s staff visit Army installations to make sure that regulations are being followed. Davis retired from the Army in 1948. His son, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., a United States Air Force officer, became the first African American major general, in 1959. Benjamin Davis, Sr., died on Nov. 26, 1970.
See also Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Jr.
