Benjamin O. Davis Sr. | |
|---|---|
 U.S. Department of War photo of Davis, circa 1945 | |
| Born | July 1, 1877 Washington, D.C., United States |
| Died | November 20, 1970 (aged 93) Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | 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 Cavalry Branch |
| Commands | Troop B, 9th Cavalry Regiment Supply Troop, 9th Cavalry Regiment 3rd Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Tuskegee Institute Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Wilberforce College 369th Infantry Regiment 369th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment 4th Cavalry Brigade 2nd Cavalry Division |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War Philippine–American War Mexican Border War World War I World War II |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Bronze Star Medal Croix de Guerre (France) Order of the Star of Africa (Liberia) |
| Alma mater | Howard University (attended) |
| Spouse(s) | Elnora Dickerson Davis (m. 1902–1916, her death) Sarah "Sadie" Overton (m. 1919–1966, her death) |
| Children | 3 (including Benjamin O. Davis Jr.) |
| Other work | Member, American Battle Monuments Commission |
Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr. (July 1, 1877 – November 26, 1970) was a career officer in the United States Army. One of the few black officers in an era when American society was largely segregated, in 1940 he was promoted to brigadier general, the army's first African American general officer.
A native of Washington, D.C., Davis attended M Street High School, where he obtained his first military experience by participating in the school's corps of cadets program. During his senior year, he also enrolled in courses at Howard University, which enabled him to play on the school's football team. After his 1898 graduation, Davis served briefly as a second lieutenant in the District of Columbia National Guard before joining the 8th U.S. Volunteer Infantry for the Spanish–American War and receiving his commission as a first lieutenant. After the war, Davis was discharged from the volunteers and joined the regular army as a private. He soon became a non-commissioned officer, and in 1901 passed the commissioning exam and received appointment as a second lieutenant of Cavalry.
Davis served in the Philippine–American War and World War I, in which he demonstrated noteworthy leadership and administrative ability, but found himself frequently shunted to less than desirable assignments as his career progressed. In addition to receiving less prestigious assignments such as professor of military science at historically black colleges because of segregation in the army, as one of only a handful of black officers he also experienced delays in promotions and disapproval of recommendations for professional education such as the United States Army Command and General Staff College. Despite these challenges, Davis worked within the army's white hierarchy to attain a record of superior technical and tactical proficiency as he slowly rose through the ranks. He was promoted to colonel in 1930, and commanded the New York National Guard's 369th Infantry Regiment (later the 369th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment) from 1938 to 1940.
Though he was near retirement, political considerations during the 1940 United States presidential election, the need to obtain the support of black citizens for U.S. involvement in World War II and Davis's own long record of accomplishments led to his promotion to brigadier general. He commanded 4th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division during its organization and training, and also served as acting division commander. He attained the mandatory retirement age of 64 in 1941, but remained on active duty to perform wartime inspections of black units and offer observations and recommendations on policies including racial integration.
Davis retired in 1948 and resided in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the American Battle Monuments Commission from 1953 to 1961. Davis later moved to Chicago to reside with one of his daughters. He died at Great Lakes Naval Hospital on November 26, 1970. Davis was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Davis's children included Benjamin O. Davis Jr., the first black general in the United States Air Force.