ALABAMA AVIATION HALL OF FAME
BENJAMIN OLIVER DAVIS Jr.
Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr., the son of the first black general, United States Army, attended four years grade school, 1920-24 and later Professor of military Science at Tuskegee Institute, AL 1938-41. Pilot training and Commander, 99th Pursuit Squadron, Tuskegee Array Air Field, 1941-4 5.
The fourth black to graduate from the Military Academy, West Point, 1936. Is remembered for the tenacity and determination with which he conquered four years of ostracism at the Academy. Commanded the 99th through interminable combat training at TAAF and tactical ground support missions through North Africa, Sicily and Italy, 1943. Commanded the 332nd Fighter Group, 1943-45, Italy. The Group flew 15,533 sorties, destroying 111 aircraft and damaging 25 in aerial combat. Also destroying 150 and damaging 123 on the ground, and one German Destroyer at sea. At the end of WWII and through 1970, the careers for blacks in the Air Force were shaped by race. His command positions were given only during overseas assignments. In these positions he was promoted from Colonel to Lt. General from 1943 to 1965. For outstanding leadership, professional skill as a pilot, conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on several distinct missions, Davis was awarded the Air Medal, several oak-leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Star. His every action of leadership and command exemplified that the moral imperative of racial integration in the armed forces was attainable. As a result the Air Force today is the most harmonious and racially integrated institution in America. A large measure of credit for achieving this critical reform is due General Davis. For that pioneering accomplishment America stands in his debt.
The fourth black to graduate from the Military Academy, West Point, 1936. Is remembered for the tenacity and determination with which he conquered four years of ostracism at the Academy. Commanded the 99th through interminable combat training at TAAF and tactical ground support missions through North Africa, Sicily and Italy, 1943. Commanded the 332nd Fighter Group, 1943-45, Italy. The Group flew 15,533 sorties, destroying 111 aircraft and damaging 25 in aerial combat. Also destroying 150 and damaging 123 on the ground, and one German Destroyer at sea. At the end of WWII and through 1970, the careers for blacks in the Air Force were shaped by race. His command positions were given only during overseas assignments. In these positions he was promoted from Colonel to Lt. General from 1943 to 1965. For outstanding leadership, professional skill as a pilot, conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on several distinct missions, Davis was awarded the Air Medal, several oak-leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Star. His every action of leadership and command exemplified that the moral imperative of racial integration in the armed forces was attainable. As a result the Air Force today is the most harmonious and racially integrated institution in America. A large measure of credit for achieving this critical reform is due General Davis. For that pioneering accomplishment America stands in his debt.
