Davis, Benjamin O. Sr.

1877-1970 · Contribution: 1898-1948

Military officer

Became, in 1940, the first African American to be promoted to general officer in any branch of the U.S. military, after 42 years of service that began as an enlisted private

Military & Safety — collage image
Military & Safety

Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.

Quick facts

Born
1877-1970
Category
Military & Safety

Impact on the world

Davis Sr. broke the general-officer color line in the entire U.S. military and helped lay the groundwork for the desegregation of the armed forces.

Sources

  1. National Museum of the United States Army

1 more sources and references are available to members.