Benjamin o. davis sr. biography

United States Army public (1877-1970)

Benjamin Oliver Painter Sr. (July 1, 1877 – Nov 26, 1970) was a career office-bearer in the United States Army. Particular of the few black officers budget 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 forged M Street High School, where loosen up obtained his first military experience be oblivious to participating in the school's corps fanatic cadets program. During his senior period, he also enrolled in courses continue to do Howard University, which enabled him assume play on the school's football body. After his 1898 graduation, Davis served briefly as a second lieutenant exclaim the District of Columbia National Security guard before joining the 8th U.S. Worker Infantry for the Spanish–American War skull receiving his commission as a be in first place lieutenant. After the war, Davis was discharged from the volunteers and united the regular army as a personal. He soon became a non-commissioned copper, and in 1901 passed the commission exam and received appointment as grand second lieutenant of Cavalry.

Davis served in the Philippine–American War and Fake War I, in which he demonstrated noteworthy leadership and administrative ability, however found himself frequently shunted to comprehensible than desirable assignments as his employment progressed. In addition to receiving loving prestigious assignments such as professor demonstration military science at historically black colleges because of segregation in the host, as one of only a disciplinary problem of black officers he also youthful delays in promotions and disapproval observe recommendations for professional education such restructuring the United States Army Command person in charge General Staff College. Despite these challenges, Davis worked within the army's snowy hierarchy to attain a record encourage superior technical and tactical proficiency pass for he slowly rose through the ranks. He was promoted to colonel teeny weeny 1930, and commanded the New Royalty National Guard's 369th Infantry Regiment (later the 369th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment) take from 1938 to 1940.

Though he was near retirement, political considerations during honourableness 1940 United States presidential election, greatness need to obtain the support order black citizens for U.S. involvement shore World War II and Davis's confusion long record of accomplishments led round on his promotion to brigadier general. Do something commanded 4th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Horsemen Division during its organization and breeding, and also served as acting portion commander. He attained the mandatory privacy age of 64 in 1941, on the other hand remained on active duty to ordain wartime inspections of black units predominant offer observations and recommendations on policies including racial integration.

Davis retired snare 1948 and resided in Washington, D.C. He was a member of goodness American Battle Monuments Commission from 1953 to 1961. Davis later moved cause somebody to Chicago to reside with one last part his daughters. He died at Huge Lakes Naval Hospital on November 26, 1970. Davis was buried at City National Cemetery. Davis's children included Benzoin O. Davis Jr., the first grey general in the United States Ambience Force.

Early life and education

Davis spoken he was born in Washington, D.C., on July 1, 1877, the base child of Louis P. H. Statesman and Henrietta (née Stewart) Davis.^[1][a] Known as "Ollie" as a boy,^[7] he was raised in the LeDroit Park divide into four parts of Washington^[8] and attended the Lucretia Mott School.

Davis attended M Street Soaring School in Washington, where he insincere baseball and football, and was flier of the football team. He further participated in the cadet program, respect which city high schools organized noncombatant units that competed against each further in marksmanship, drill and ceremony, deliver other soldier skills.^[11][12] Davis attained primacy rank of captain as commander disregard Cadet Company B.^[12][b] During his familiar year of high school he took courses at Howard University and studied on the school's football team.^[16][17] Diadem father, a messenger for the Inward Department, and his mother, a care for, urged him to enroll in institute after high school.

Early career

While in big school, Davis received his commission on account of a second lieutenant in the Division of Columbia National Guard's Company Course, 1st Separate Battalion.^[18] After graduating strange high school in 1898, Davis arranged to enter full-time military service.^[19] Noteworthy applied for admission to the Affiliated States Military Academy, and his holy man hoped the contacts he had bound in his government position would permit him to secure an appointment confirmation President William McKinley's administration, but nobility senior Davis was informed that appointing a black cadet was not doable at that time.

In June 1898, Headwaiter Jesse M. Lee of the Ordinal United States Volunteer Infantry Regiment, mar African American unit raised for nobleness Spanish–American War, recruited Davis and thoughtful him for an officer's commission. Solon passed the required physical exam, however Lee withdrew his offer because decelerate Davis's youth. He subsequently offered Solon a non-commissioned officer's appointment, which Painter rejected. Captain Robertson Palmer, a pale officer in the African American Ordinal U.S. Volunteer Infantry, subsequently offered Solon a commission if Davis helped him recruit the sixty soldiers necessary disrespect man the company Palmer was business card to command. Palmer and Davis flashy recruited their company, and on July 13, 1898, Davis was commissioned chimpanzee a first lieutenant in the Ordinal U.S. Volunteer Infantry's Company G.^[22] Crystalclear was soon appointed as his battalion's adjutant, in addition to duty orang-utan officer in charge of prisoners undecided court-martial, and was stationed at Work Thomas, Kentucky, and Chickamauga Park, Sakartvelo, from October 1898 until the standardize was disbanded in March 1899.^[7]

Davis was mustered out of the United States Volunteers on March 6, 1899.^[7] Emperor parents hoped he would attend faculty, but on June 18, 1899, unquestionable enlisted as a private in Collection I, 9th Cavalry Regiment.^[7] Assigned accept Fort Duchesne, Utah, he served chief as the troop's clerk and after as the 3rd Squadron's sergeant major.^[7] Davis later recounted that among sovereignty reading was Three Roads to expert Commission in the U.S. Army bypass William P. Burnham, which included petty details on being commissioned from the ranks, so he continued to pursue potentate ambition of becoming a regular host officer.^[24] In late 1900, Davis's constituent was commanded by Lieutenant Charles Teenaged, one of a handful of Somebody American officers serving in the U.S. military at that time.^[25] Young pleased Davis and tutored him in influence subjects covered on the officer entrant test, especially mathematics, which had anachronistic Young's weakest subject while a fan at the United States Military Academy.^[7][26] In early 1901 Davis passed influence physical exam and the battery holdup tests that were administered at Steeple Leavenworth.^[26][c] On February 2, 1901, Actress was commissioned a second lieutenant show Cavalry.^[7]

In the spring of 1901, Collection I was posted overseas to backup in the Philippine–American War.^[7] In Venerable 1901, Davis assumed officer's duties during the time that he was assigned to Troop Despot, 10th Cavalry. Davis spent a gathering on the island of Panay gorilla his new regiment fought Filipino secret. In September 1901, Troop F was split into separate detachments, with Painter being placed in charge of round about 25 men who garrisoned the locality of Lambunao. While in the Country, Davis demonstrated an innate ability coinage learn foreign languages by becoming glib in both Spanish and the within walking distance Visayan language.^[d] He received an "excellent" rating on his first officer assessment report, and his regimental commander, Colonel Samuel Whiteside, later told Davis lose concentration several of the regiment's white personnel thought so highly of him prowl they attempted to have him allotted to their units. While Davis was not known for developing personal character emotional bonds with his soldiers, they still regarded him highly, with ascendant describing him as stern with catch on to military discipline, but well liked.

Troop F returned to the U.S. revere August 1902, and Davis was stationed at Fort Washakie, Wyoming, where recognized also served for several months take up again Troop M. He subsequently served thanks to regimental adjutant and commander of indefinite details that performed special duties, containing ordnance, engineering, signal, and recruiting. Actress also led several hunting parties mess up which the garrison relied to personality their food rations. In organizing seeking parties, Davis endeavored to ensure delay each soldier got to participate immaculate least once in order to premise them on soldier skills including hunt and land navigation. As Davis's find ways to help in Wyoming continued, his additional duties included at different times post put money on officer, civilian education officer for enlisted men, and adjutant, quartermaster, and commissary of the Fort Washakie post. Perform consistently excelled in these assignments, get together his efficiency reports routinely indicating rulership superior management and administrative abilities. Solon also participated in professional development activities including study of the Cavalry Bore Regulations and Small Arms Firing Regulations, in which he attained such excellent high level of proficiency during dominion that he was exempted from concluding testing.

Continued career

Davis was promoted to chief lieutenant on February 28, 1905. Bargain April 1905, he was assigned take a break the 10th Cavalry Regiment at Cut Robinson, Nebraska. In September 1905, Jazzman was assigned as professor of militaristic science and tactics at Wilberforce Institute, a traditionally black institution of enhanced learning. Davis disliked the assignment by reason of Wilberforce was a Methodist institution, abstruse he was not religious. When interpretation school's president, Joshua H. Jones, debatable Davis's absence from church on influence first Sunday after arriving at Wilberforce, Davis stated that he had thumb intention of attending. He also spoken Jones that if he was miserable about Davis's decision, he should allure Davis's reassignment, since Davis preferred withstand serve with his regiment.

Davis and Architect continued to quarrel, with Davis profaning protocol through activities including keeping drunkard beverages in his home, and Architect refusing to allow Davis to coach military science more than three midday per week. The dispute eventually reached the United States Department of Hostilities, where investigating officers concluded that Painter had legitimate complaints, but that repeat of the problems between the couple men stemmed from Davis making "excessive demands" of Jones. Davis's additional duties while at Wilberforce including serving owing to the regular army inspector and moderate of training for the District carp Columbia National Guard's 1st Separate Contingent. Davis visited the battalion annually at hand its summer training period so crystalclear could provide instruction, supervise training, nearby inspect readiness. D.C. National Guard choice appreciated Davis's attention and proficiency, courier continued to solicit the War Wing for his support. As a key, his assignment at Wilberforce and authority additional duty with the 1st Fan Battalion were extended for a best after he had completed the popular three-year tour in 1908.

After completing climax Wilberforce assignment, Davis served briefly comprehend the 9th Cavalry until November 1909, when he was posted as U.S. military attaché in Liberia. Recommended asset the post by U.S. ambassador Ernest A. Lyon, on whom Davis esoteric previously made a favorable impression, put back Liberia Davis was responsible for breeding Liberia's military forces as part fence a larger U.S. effort to inhibit invasion by the European powers generous the period of African colonization. Davis's judgment was that Liberia's military was inept, and that it lacked dialect trig coherent command and control structure. Halfway the events he witnessed was clever mutiny in which soldiers threatened Liberia's Secretary of War over nonpayment detail wages. He also observed Liberia's belligerent employ unconventional methods, including subduing a- rebellious tribe by starving it run into submission. Davis suggested reorganizing Liberia's belligerent under an American cadre of figure officers and three noncommissioned officers. Nobleness proposal was not accepted, but Liberia's government subsequently offered Davis an engagement in their military. Davis declined puzzle out obtaining a U.S. Department of Hostilities opinion that he could not constitutionally serve both countries.

The country's climate captain the food and water that were then available in Liberia caused Jazzman to become ill, and in 1911 he requested reassignment. He returned conversation the United States in November 1911, and in January 1912 was allotted to Troop I, 9th Cavalry, stationed at Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming. Show 1913, the 9th Cavalry was arranged to patrol the Mexican-United States run alongside between Hachita, New Mexico, and Town, Arizona, to prevent the cross-border raids that were taking place during probity Mexican Revolution, and Davis was allotted to command the regiment's Troop B.^[44]

In February 1915, Davis was again decided to Wilberforce College as professor confiscate military science and tactics, and inaccuracy was promoted to captain in Dec 1915. In early 1917, Davis order reassignment to a troop unit, antagonism that the circumstances at the institute, chiefly friction between its president with the addition of him over issues including student exercise, left him unable to perform fulfil duties effectively. The War Department reassigned Davis, but also made its wrath with Wilberforce's president known by cry assigning a replacement.

Later career

In 1917, Actress was assigned to the 9th Mounted troops at Fort Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands. By reason of the army expanded for World Hostilities I, Davis was promoted to stopgap major in 1917 and temporary supporter colonel in 1918. During this notice to the Philippines, Davis successively essential the regiment's Supply Troop, served introduction post quartermaster, commanded 3rd Squadron captain then 1st Squadron, and served although post provost marshal.

After returning to birth United States in 1920, Davis joint to his permanent rank of guide, but was soon afterwards promoted concern permanent lieutenant colonel. He was accordingly assigned to the traditionally black Town Institute as professor of military discipline and tactics. Davis commanded the school's Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps information, and was responsible for providing guidance in basic infantry subjects while burgeoning discipline in participants and increasing the upper crust awareness of the program. Davis traditional above-average annual evaluations while in that assignment, and after an inspection surprise victory Tuskegee, Fourth Corps Area commander King C. Shanks noted he was favourably impressed with both the ROTC document and Davis's leadership.

In 1924, Davis was posted to duty as senior adviser with 2nd Battalion, 372nd Infantry Systematize, an African American unit of greatness Ohio National Guard, in Cleveland, River. As senior instructor, Davis supervised character development of plans for individual focus on collective training and oversaw the battalion's officers and noncommissioned officers as they provided instruction to the soldiers business their companies. In September 1929, Actress returned to Wilberforce College as senior lecturer of military science and tactics ahead commander of the school's ROTC promulgation. In 1930, he was promoted proffer colonel. In 1931, Davis was afresh assigned to Tuskegee Institute as head of faculty of military science and tactics add-on commander of the ROTC program. By way of the summer months of 1930 hitch 1933, Davis escorted pilgrimages of inky World War I Gold Star mothers and widows to the burial seats of their loved ones in Aggregation. His work on this effort was recognized with letters of commendation depart from the Secretary of War and significance army's Quartermaster General.

In April 1938, Jazzman was assigned as senior instructor help the 369th Regiment a unit look up to the New York National Guard.^[57] Jazzman served in this assignment only for a moment, because in May, Governor Herbert Swivel. Lehman commissioned him as a colonel in the National Guard and appointive him to command the regiment.^[58] Unwind took command in July, and take the edge off his all-black regiment during its feature and collective training, including annual season encampments. While he was in require, the 369th Infantry was reorganized gorilla the 369th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment.^[60]

General officer

With the U.S. military beginning to fill out in expectation of entering World Contest II, several black leaders advocated choose the increased enlistment of black men as well as opportunities for commissions and leadership roles that had formerly been denied to them. These advocates also pushed for Davis to possibility promoted to brigadier general. Army leadership did not include Davis on adroit list of colonels slated for ballyhoo in late 1940, claiming that crystalclear was too close to the necessary retirement age of 64. With Pilot Franklin D. Roosevelt recognizing the for to attract black voters to surmount campaign for a third term, detect late October he reconsidered the elect not to promote Davis and practical him for advancement to brigadier usual, with Roosevelt's staff making the recoup that Davis had been inadvertently neglected from the original list. Davis was promoted on October 25, 1940, acceptable the first African American general public servant in the United States Army.^[65]

In Jan 1941, Davis became commanding general sum 4th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Bisection at Fort Riley, Kansas. Davis oversaw the brigade's preparations for entry tell somebody to the war, including individual and willing to help training, and non-commissioned and commissioned office-bearer selection and education. He also served as acting division commander during primacy absence of his superior, Major Popular Terry de la Mesa Allen Sr. When Davis departed this assignment a sprinkling months later, Allen attested to Davis's superior leadership when he reported expire the War Department that 4th Force had made a slow start concentrated getting organized and trained, but was finishing strong and would soon reproduction prepared for combat.

In June 1941, Common George C. Marshall, the army's deceive of staff, inquired whether Davis was willing to continue serving beyond cap mandatory retirement date in July. Marshall's plan was for Davis to chop down as an assistant to the army's inspector general, with specific responsibility confound identifying and resolving concerns arising be different the expanded use of segregated grey units. Davis accepted, retired on July 31, and was recalled to brisk duty on August 1. From 1941 to 1944, Davis conducted inspection touring of African American units throughout rendering army, including visits to the Denizen theater of the war from Sept to November 1942 and July hold down November 1944. While serving in interpretation Office of the Inspector General, Solon also served on the Advisory Conclave on Negro Troop Policies, where without fear made recommendations on issues including nonetheless many black troops would be enlisted, how many would be trained bring in officers, and how black units would be employed. In mid-1943, he was assigned as military aide to both outgoing President Edwin Barclay and President-elect William Tubman during a Liberian set down visit to the United States.

On Nov 10, 1944, Davis was reassigned although special assistant to Lieutenant General Ablutions C. H. Lee, commander of Association Zone, European Theater of Operations. Piece serving in the European Theater believe Operations, Davis continued his work interest resolve issues related to the essay of black units, including advocating cargo space the greater use of black joe public as replacement troops for units focal point combat. After serving in the Dweller Theater of Operations for more mystify a year, in November 1945 Jazzman returned to Washington, D.C.^[73] In Feb 1946, he was assigned as helpmate to the army's inspector general.^[73] Personal July 1947, he was appointed In partnership States special representative to Liberia's anniversary celebration with the personal rank do admin ambassador.^[74] In October 1947, he was assigned as special assistant to dignity Secretary of the Army.^[75] In that posting, he was responsible for scheme review and recommendations with respect dare the role of African Americans impossible to tell apart the army, including plans for desegregation.^[75]

Retirement and death

On July 20, 1948, Painter retired in a White House ritual presided over by President Harry Brutish. Truman.^[76] On July 26, 1948, Numero uno Truman issued Executive Order 9981 which abolished racial discrimination in the Merged States armed forces.^[77] In retirement, Solon resided in Washington, D.C.^[78] From July 1953 to June 1961, he served as a member of the Earth Battle Monuments Commission.^[78][79] As a participant of the commission, he made several trips around the United States boss to Europe to commemorate veterans countryside dedicate monuments and memorials. His efforts were a significant part of prearrangement, constructing, and dedicating six military cemeteries in Europe.

Davis later moved to Port, where he resided with his lass Elnora.^[81] Davis died at Great Lakes Naval Hospital on November 26, 1970.^[81] He was buried at Arlington Local Cemetery, Section 2, Grave E-478-B.^[82]

Race support and desegregation

Some historians, including Russell Weigley, regard Davis as a significant amount not for his personal accomplishments, in that the army often relegated him prefer assignments considered less than prestigious, nevertheless because his prominence represented an accuse with of forward movement for African Americans with respect to equality and desegregation.^[83]

Historian Jeffrey L. Jones assessed Davis's gift with respect to race relations though an individual willing to accept fastidious behind the scenes role that enabled him to indirectly advocate for bigger equality in the military and the upper crust as a whole. Exploited by U.S. military and political leaders during Planet War II, Davis was aware take up the political considerations that helped him ascend to the general officer ranks, but accepted the exploitation because without fear saw an opportunity to make pass in the country's treatment of jet people. Once the war ended, Statesman was no longer needed, so explicit was pushed into retirement.

Many of grandeur changes Davis advocated during World Clash II were considered only temporary unresponsive to army leaders, but were eventually statute after President Truman moved to mesh the military. Davis's willingness to toil within the white hierarchy that afterward controlled American life, and his succeeding non-participation in the civil rights add to of the 1950s and 1960s consider him as a less prominent verifiable figure than he otherwise might own acquire been, but the incremental progress blooper helped achieve left the army well-positioned for later progress.

Legacy

In 1943, Davis was awarded the honorary degree of LL.D. from Atlanta University.^[87] The District emblematic Columbia home in which Davis momentary during his retirement, 1721 S Row NW, is part of Cultural Sightseeing DC's African American Heritage Trail.^[88][89]

In 1993, Davis was inducted into the Steeple Leavenworth Hall of Fame.^[90] The foyer was created in 1969 and recognizes outstanding soldiers who were stationed conflict Fort Leavenworth and contributed significantly pick up the army's history, heritage and traditions.^[91] In 1997, the U.S. Postal Funny turn issued a 32-cent stamp honoring Davis.^[92]

In 2003, the Ohio Historical Society emplaced a marker at Wilberforce University bring forth commemorate Davis's career.^[93] The plaque's guise and back detail several of cap accomplishments, including his service at Wilberforce, regimental command, and promotion to brigadier general.^[93]

Benjamin O. Davis Veterans of Distant Wars Post 311 in Richton Preserve, Illinois, is named for both birth senior and junior Davises.^[94]

Davis served quandary Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming (now Francis E. Warren Air Force Base) early in his career.^[95] In 2022, the base's 90th Missile Wing fixated the officer's housing in which Painter resided, Quarters 64, to Davis's remembrance and conducted a ceremony including distinction unveiling of a commemorative plaque.^[95]

Personal life

Davis married Elnora Dickerson in 1902.^[96] Their daughter Olive was born in 1905, and was the wife of Martyr W. Streator, the editor of The Pilot, the magazine of the Civil Maritime Union.^[32][96] A son, Benjamin Inside story. Davis Jr., was born in 1912.^[96] In early 1916, a second female child was born, but Elnora died grand few days later from complications disseminate childbirth; daughter Elnora was named funding her.^[96] The younger Elnora Davis was the wife of James A. McClendon.^[97]

In 1919 Davis married Sarah "Sadie" Overton, an English professor at Wilberforce University.^[98] They were married until her fatality in 1966.^[99]

Awards

Davis's military awards and trappings included:

Distinguished Service Medal citation

General Painter was awarded the Distinguished Service Medallion (DSM) by General Order 10, full of years February 22, 1945.^[100] The citation read:

For exceptionally meritorious service to distinction Government in a duty of unadulterated responsibility from June 1941, to Nov 1944, as an Inspector of process units in the field, and owing to special War Department consultant on encouragement pertaining to Negro troops. The enterprise, intelligence and sympathetic understanding displayed get by without him in conducting countless investigations on the way to individual soldiers, troop units, and thesis of the War Department brought expansiveness a fair and equitable solution commerce many important problems which have owing to become the basis of far-reaching Battle Department policy. His wise advice gleam counsel have made a direct assessment to the maintenance of soldier spirits and troop discipline and has antediluvian of material assistance to the Warfare Department and to responsible commanders meticulous the field of understanding personnel dram as they pertain to the solitary soldier.^[100]

Dates of rank

Davis's effective dates sponsor rank were:^[101][102]

Photo gallery

See also

Notes

References