America's First Black General: Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., 1880-1970

Modern War Studies

by Marvin E. Fletcher

Throughout an illustrious career that spanned the half-century from the Spanish-American War through World War II, Benjamin O. Davis proved that determination and diplomacy could overcome the barriers raised by racial bigotry.

Today there are as many as 10,000 black officers in the army. In Davis's day there weren't more than two or three. As Marvin Fletcher's admiring but balanced portrait shows, this enormous change owes not a little to the persistent efforts and quiet dignity of Benjamin O. Davis. Davis helped "lay the foundation for the integration of the armed forces, the first major break in the wall of segregated America."

Born into the black middle class of Washington, D.C., Davis maintained a lifelong love for the military, despite the debilitating effects of the army's segregation policies. Such policies repeatedly denied Davis promotions and meant " safe assignments"—Liberia, Tuskegee Institute, Wilberforce University—designed to keep him from commanding white troops. It took thirty years from his enlistment until his promotion to colonel, and another decade before he became America's first black general

Promoted to brigadier general at the start of World War II, Davis headed a special section that monitored black military units at home and overseas, investigated an increasing number of racial disturbances, and bolstered the black soldier's morale. He was largely responsible for persuading the Army to try a limited form of integration. The success of that effort led to a federal mandate for the integration of the entire American armed forces.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

248 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1989

Reviews

[Hans Ostrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

An academic biography and thus superbly researched. The labyrinths and outrageous treatment Davis faced while simply trying to serve his country would be farcical if they weren't so grotesquely white supremacist. He ended up serving in the Spanish American War, WWI, and WWII, distinguishing himself. Through almost all of his military career the American armed forces remained segregated. (And even now we have a white supremacist commander in chief.) This is a very clear, detailed biography of an intelligent, patient, adaptable man. His son, Benjamin Jr, followed in his footsteps. He entered the military via West Point--where his fellow cadets shunned him because he was Black. No, really.

[Glenn Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to pick books that have themes. last year I read few books on American Indians, this maybe the year of Africans Americans or people with that heritage. Prejudice helped keep him from advancing in rank, politics helped him get ahead. like many that succeeded in an era of harsh racism he worked hard, harder than the suppressors, so hard and was so good at his job that suppressors could not deny the talent.

Few things I thought was interesting, the book said that foreigners of African decent did not get discriminated at much, they got more respect. because of his rank and the pay that entitled him, he was upper middle class. the book said that many African Americans became dentist to achieve this. I had a few African Americans that as instructors. I always found them to be very knowledgeable, patient, and instructive. I have a lot of respect for them knowing they had to be extra good a things to be admitted.

[Jaron Roux · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. Very insightful an eye opening to the struggle that B.O. Davis Sr had to endure to serve his country!