Benjamin O. Davis Jr.

Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was an American military aviator who commanded the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II and became the U.S. Air Force’s first Black general.

Benjamin O. Davis Sr.: Benjamin O. Davis Sr. was the U.S. Army’s first Black general officer. Davis Jr.’s father, he also faced racial barriers in the armed forces.
Tuskegee Airmen: The Tuskegee Airmen were Black American military pilots and support personnel trained at Tuskegee during World War II. Davis commanded the 332nd Fighter Group, the best-known combat unit associated with them.
United States Military Academy: The United States Military Academy is a federal service academy at West Point, New York, that trains Army officers. Davis graduated in 1936, the academy’s fourth Black graduate.
United States Air Force: The United States Air Force is the U.S. military service responsible for air and space operations. Davis became its first Black general after the service was established in 1947.
Charles W. Dryden: Charles W. Dryden was a Tuskegee Airman, combat pilot, and military educator. Dryden served under Davis and later chronicled the airmen’s history.
332nd Fighter Group: The 332nd Fighter Group was a U.S. Army Air Forces fighter unit whose pilots included Tuskegee-trained Black aviators. Davis led this group in Mediterranean combat operations.
Tuskegee Army Air Field: Tuskegee Army Air Field was a World War II U.S. Army Air Forces base in Alabama used to train Black pilots. Davis trained there as the military built its first Black flying units.
Air Force desegregation: Air Force desegregation was the process of ending racial separation and discrimination in the U.S. Air Force. Davis’s senior service came during the transition from segregated units to an integrated force.
Daniel James Jr.: Daniel James Jr. was a U.S. Air Force pilot and the first Black four-star general. James followed Davis in breaking barriers to senior Air Force command.
99th Fighter Squadron: The 99th Fighter Squadron was the first Black flying squadron in the U.S. Army Air Forces. Davis commanded the squadron before taking charge of the 332nd Fighter Group.

Linked from 1 page