"Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr. (July 1, 1877-November 26, 1970)

Was an American general and the father of Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr.He was the first African

American general officer in the United States Army.Benjamin Sr,was born in Washington,D.C. to Louis P.H. and Henrietta Davis.He attended M Street High School in Washington where he participated in the school's cadet program.During the Spanish-American War,Benjamin briefly served in Company D, 1st Separate Battalion of the Washington D.C. National Guard.On July 10,1898,he joined the 8th U.S. Volunteer infantry Regiment as a first lieutenant of Company G.The 8th United States Volunteer Infantry was stationed at Chickamauga Park,Georgia from October 1898 until the unit was disbanded in March 1899.On June 14 1899,he enlisted in the regular Army.Benjamin was assigned to Troop I,3rd Squadron,9th Cavalry at Ft.Duchense,Utah first as the troop's clerk and then as squadron Sergent major.In the spring of 1901,Troop I was assigned to the Philippines.In August 1901,he was assigned to Troop F,10th Cavalry,where he assumed the duties of a second lieutenant after passing an officers qualification test.Troop F returned to the United States  in August 1902.He was then stationed at Fort Washakie,Wyoming,where he also served as a military for several months with Troop M. In September 1905,he was assigned to Wilberforce University in Ohio as Professor of Military Science and Tactics,a post that he filled for four years.In November 1909,shortly after being ordered to Regiment Headquarters,9th Cavalry,Benjamin was reassigned for duty to Liberia.He left the United States for Liberia in April 1910,and serve as a military attache reporting on Liberia's military forces until October 1911.He returned to the United States in January 1912,Benjamin was assigned to Troop I, 9th Cavalry,stationed at Fort D.A. Russell,Wyoming.In 1913,the 9th Cavalry was assigned to patrol the Mexican-United States border.In February 1915,Benjamin was again assigned to Wilberforce University as Professor of Military Science and Tactics.From 1917 to 1920,he was assigned to the 9th Cavalry at Camp Stotsenburg,Philippines Islands,as supply officer,commander of 3rd Squadron,and then of 1st Squadron.He reached the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel,but returned to the United States in March 1920 with the rank of captain.Benjamin was assigned to Tuskegee University,in Alabama,as the Professor of Military and Tactics.From 1920 to 1924.He then served for five years as an instructor with 2nd Battalion,372nd Regiment,Ohio National Guard,IN Cleveland Ohio.In September 1929,Benjamin returned to Wilberforce University as Professor of Military Science and Tactics from 1920 to 1924.He was assigned to the Tuskegee Institute in the early part of 1931,and remained there for six years as Professor of Military Science and Tactics.During the summer months of 1930 and 1933,he escorted pilgrimages of World War 1Gold Star Mothers and Widows to the burial places of their loved ones in Europe.In August 1937,Benjamin returned to Wilberforce University as Professor of Military Science and Tactics.He was promoted to Brigadier General on October 25 1940,becoming the first African- American general in the United States Army.Benjamin became Commanding General of 4th Brigade,2nd Cavalry Division at Fort Riley,Kansas,in January 1941.About six months later,he was assigned to Washington D.C. as an assistant in the Office of the Inspector General.While serving in the Office of the Inspector General, Benjamin also served on the Advisory Committee on Negro Troops Problems.From 1941 to 1944,he conducted inspection tours of African-American soldiers in the United States Army.From September to November 1942 and again From July to November 1944,he made inspection tours of African-American soldiers stationed in Europe.On November 10,1944,he was reassigned to work under Lieutenant General John C.H. Lee as Special Assistant to the Commanding General,Communications Zone,European  Theatre of Operations,He was influential in the proposed policy of integration using replacements units.After serving in the European Theater of Operations for more than a year,Benjamin returned to Washington,D.C. as Assistant to the Inspector General.In 1947 he was assigned as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army.In this,capacity,he was sent to Liberia in July 1947 as a representative of the United States for the African country's centennial celebration.On July 20 1948,after years of military service,he returned in a public ceremony with President Harry S. Truman presiding.From July 1953 through June 1961,he served as a member of the American Battle Monuments Commission. Benjamin died at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Chicago,Illinois,and buried at Arlington National Cemetery.