Changes

In July of 1942, Davis was assigned to command the 99th Pursuit Squadron.  Because the Army was segregated at this time, it was an all black unit.  It had gotten its training at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama.  Because of this, the pilots in the squadron were often known as the "Tuskegee Airmen".  This squadron, which saw combat in North Africa and [[Italy]] in [[World War II]], was the first black air unit.

In July of 1942, Davis was assigned to command the 99th Pursuit Squadron.  Because the Army was segregated at this time, it was an all black unit.  It had gotten its training at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama.  Because of this, the pilots in the squadron were often known as the "Tuskegee Airmen".  This squadron, which saw combat in North Africa and [[Italy]] in [[World War II]], was the first black air unit.

At that time, a number of military officers thought that blacks wouldn't be able to pilot fighters and were opposed to the idea of a black air squadron.  But Davis fought for his unit's right to fly, and Davis and the Tuskegee Airmen proved them wrong.  Over the course of the war, the units under Davis's command shot down 111 enemy planes (including three advanced [[Me-262]] jet fighters) and didn't lose any of the bombers they were escorting.  Davis himself won a Silver Star and a [[Distinguished Flying Cross]] for his bravery in combat.  When President [[Truman]] desegregated the Armed Forces in 1948, Davis was one of the people behind the plan to desegregate the Air Force.

At that time, a number of military officers thought that blacks would not capable of being pilot fighters and were opposed to the idea of a black air squadron.  But Davis fought for his unit's right to fly, and Davis and the Tuskegee Airmen proved them wrong.  Over the course of the war, the units under Davis's command shot down 111 enemy planes (including three advanced [[Me-262]] jet fighters) and did not lose any of the bombers they were escorting.  Davis himself won a Silver Star and a [[Distinguished Flying Cross]] for his bravery in combat.  When President [[Truman]] desegregated the Armed Forces in 1948, Davis was one of the people behind the plan to desegregate the Air Force.

In 1953, he was sent to [[Korean War|Korea]], where he commanded the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing.  That same year, he was promoted to Brigadier General, becoming the first black general in the Air Force.

In 1953, he was sent to [[Korean War|Korea]], where he commanded the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing.  That same year, he was promoted to Brigadier General, becoming the first black general in the Air Force.

Davis went on to serve in the Air Force until 1970, rising to the rank of Major General.  He went on to serve in a variety of civil service positions, becoming, in 1971, an Assistant Secretary of Transportation.  Benjamin Davis died July 4, 2002.

Davis went on to serve in the Air Force until 1970, rising to the rank of Major General.  He went on to serve in a variety of civil service positions, becoming, in 1971, an Assistant Secretary of Transportation.  Benjamin Davis died July 4, 2002.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Benjamin O.}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Benjamin O.}}

[[Category:United States Air Force]]

[[Category:United States Air Force]]

[[Category:World War II]]

[[Category:World War II]]