Black History Month: Celebrating Those Who Came Before Us

Benjamin O. Davis Sr. (1880 - 1970)

Benjamin O. Davis Sr. was the first Black general in the American military. He entered military service during the Spanish American War as a temporary first lieutenant of the 8th United States Volunteer Infantry, an all-Black unit. He enlisted in 1899 and rose to sergeant major within two years. General Davis was a professor of military science at Tuskegee and Wilberforce University, commander of the 369^th Regiment, New York National Guard, and special assistant to the Secretary of the Army. He retired in 1948 after 50 years of service. President Harry Truman oversaw the public ceremony. General Davis Sr. is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

February 7, 2021

Source: O The Oprah Magazine, January 2021, U.S. Army Center of Military History, Encyclopedia Britannica

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Black History Month: Celebrating Those Who Came Before Us

Columbia Public Schools