Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Benjamin
Oliver
Davis
, Jr.
1912

–

July 4, 2002

Born:

Washington

, 

D.C.

Home:

Cleveland

, 

Ohio

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Benjamin Davis graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1936. During World War II he commanded the famed pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen. After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947 and became its first African-American General Officer. He retired as a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General in 1970, but in 1998 was advanced by President Carter to 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    332d Fighter Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 15, 1945
    Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 3496 (May 31, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr. (AFSN: 0-1206/ASN: 0-20146), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane and as Commanding Officer of the 332d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations over Austria, on 15 April 1945. Colonel Davis led his fighter group in a strafing attack on rail targets which resulted in damage or destruction of 35 locomotives, 52 railroad cars, four barges, and one enemy airplane. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Davis, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    332d Fighter Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    June 9, 1944
    Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 520 (August 31, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr. (AFSN: 0-1206/ASN: 0-20146), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a P-47 type aircraft of the 332d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force. Colonel Davis led his Group as escort to heavy bombers on a mission against industrial targets in Germany on 9 June 1944. En route, the bomber formation was attacked by approximately one hundred enemy fighters. Faced with the problem of protecting the large bomber formation with the comparatively few fighters under his control, Colonel Davis so skillfully disposed his squadrons that in spite of the large number of enemy fighters, the bomber formation suffered only a few losses. During the engagement, Colonel David led one flight against more than fifteen enemy fighters which were making repeated attacks on one group of bombers. His aggressive spirit and determined leadership caused his men to rout the enemy fighters and emerge with five victories. By his outstanding courage, leadership and combat ability, Colonel Davis has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    332d Fighter Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    1943 – 1945
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr. (AFSN: 0-1206/ASN: 0-20146), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 332d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, from 1943 to 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Davis and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr. (AFSN: 0-1206/ASN: 0-20146), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Davis and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr. (AFSN: 0-1206/ASN: 0-20146), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Davis and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    December 1957 – June 1961
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 32 (June 12, 1957)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Brigadier General Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr. (AFSN: 0-1206/ASN: 0-20146), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Vice Commander of the Thirteenth Air Force, with additional duty as commander, Air Task Force 13 (Provisional), Taipei, Formosa, from 1955 to 1957. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General Davis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    August 1968 – January 1970

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr. (AFSN: 0-1206/ASN: 0-20146), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Strike Command, with headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; with additional duty as Commander in Chief, Middle-East, Southern Asia and Africa, from August 1968 to January 1970. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Davis culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.