Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Sr.

Davis, Benjamin Oliver, Sr.

(1887–1970) soldier; born in Washington, D.C. Commissioned in 1901, a long-serving soldier during a difficult era for African-Americans, Davis helped prepare the way for the desegregation of the U.S. services in 1947. Promoted brigadier general in 1940, he was the first African-American to reach general's rank.