An autobiography is the memoir of a distinguished air force officer who happened to be africanamerican. While the title implies raceblindness, that is just wishful thinking on behalf of general davis. In 1949 he was among a number of communist leaders prosecuted for violating the smith act. We believe that every student will graduate from general benjamin o. Losing his mother at age four, the younger davis was raised on various military posts and watched as his fathers career was hampered by the us armys. First black general in air force saturday, july 6, 2002. Readers will learn about daviss family background, childhood, education, military career, and societal contributions. Award is given to civil air patrol cap members who complete level two of the senior member professional development program. Anne enright is an extraordinary, masterful writer whose prose brims wit. His autobiography, capturing the fortitude and spirit with which he and his wife met the pettiness of segregation, bears out daviss conviction that discriminationboth within the military and in american societyreflects neither this nations ideals nor the best use of its human resources. Davis and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Readers will learn about davis s family background, childhood, education, military career, and societal contributions.
This title examines the remarkable life of benjamin o. Set against the backdrop of twentiethcentury america, against the social fabric of segregation and the broad canvas of foreign war, benjamin o. He graduated from the air war college in 1950, commanded a fighter wing in the korean war, and was promoted to brigadier general a onestar general in 1954. The first black man to graduate from west point in this century describes the discrimination he faced in the armed forces, his successful command of air combat units in world war ii, and his rise to. Davis, 1991, smithsonian institution press edition, in english. Benjamin davis memoriam primos, pa delaware county. His autobiography both chronicles the life of a great american and provides an incisive account of race relations in the segregated and desegrated military. Gen benjamin o davis jr, who broke color barriers and shattered racial myths as commander of tuskegee airmen, pioneering black fighter. An american first the striking thing about davis s autobiography, benjamin o.
He graduated from central high school in cleveland, ohio, in 1929, attended western reserve university at cleveland and later the university of chicago. His autobiography, capturing the fortitude and spirit with which he and his wife met the pettiness of segregation, bears out daviss. Born into an era when potential was measured according to race, davis was determined to be judged by his character and deedsto succeed. Born into an era when potential was measured according to race, davis was determined to be judged by his character. The first black to graduate from west point in the twentieth century, davis led the allblack tuskeegee airmen in world war ii and retired a threestar general. The first black to graduate from west point in the twentieth century, davis.
He faced increasing opposition from outside harlem after the end of world war ii. After the war davis held other commands, and he helped plan the desegregation of the air force in 1948. Benjamin davis, jr catherine reef examines the life of benjamin davis, jr. He is a 1992 recipient of the langley gold medal from the smithsonian institution. We have new and used copies available, in 0 edition starting at. Readers will learn about daviss family background, childhood, education, military career, and. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Born into an era when potential was measured according to race, davis was determined to be judged by his character and deedsto succeed as an american, and.
Covered in detail are daviss leadership roles at the tuskegee institut. This episode from the air force television program air force now contains an interview with tuskegee airman lt. Join facebook to connect with benjamin davis and others you may know. Covered in detail are davis s leadership roles at the tuskegee institute and in the military during world war ii, the korean war, and the vietnam war. Anne enright, author of actress 0 comment by jill owens. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 first edition with your subscription. The air forces first black general, he commanded the legendary tuskegee group of fighter pilots in world war ii.
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