While the title implies raceblindness, that is just wishful thinking on behalf of general davis. His autobiography both chronicles the life of a great american and provides an incisive account of race relations in the segregated and desegrated military. Join facebook to connect with benjamin davis and others you may know. 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. Air force general and tuskegee airmen leader available in hardcover. Benjamin davis memoriam primos, pa delaware county. In 1991, he published his autobiography, benjamin o.
Set against the backdrop of twentiethcentury america, against the social fabric of segregation and the broad canvas of foreign war, benjamin o. Anne enright is an extraordinary, masterful writer whose prose brims wit. View the profiles of people named benjamin davis jr. Born into an era when potential was measured according to race, davis was determined to be judged by his character. This title examines the remarkable life of benjamin o. First black general in air force saturday, july 6, 2002. Although the book includes a great deal of military minutiae and often seems to be written by the numbers, 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. A career us army officer, the elder davis later became the services first africanamerican general in 1941. Readers will learn about daviss family background, childhood, education, military career, and. We have new and used copies available, in 0 edition starting at. He was the first african american to graduate from west point in the 20th century, and he did so with honors, graduating 35th in his class of 276. 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. His autobiography, capturing the fortitude and spirit with which he and his wife met the pettiness of segregation, bears out daviss.
In 1959 davis became the first african american officer to reach. Covered in detail are daviss leadership roles at the tuskegee institut. Benjamin davis, jr catherine reef examines the life of benjamin davis, jr. 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. We believe that every student will graduate from general benjamin o. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Collection is housed at the us army heritage and education center and is available to researchers and historians. An autobiography is the memoir of a distinguished air force officer who happened to be africanamerican. In 1949 he was among a number of communist leaders prosecuted for violating the smith act.
His autobiography, capturing the fortitude and spirit with which he and his wife met the pettiness of segregation, bears out davis s conviction that discriminationboth within the military and in american societyreflects neither this nations ideals nor the best use of. After the war davis held other commands, and he helped plan the desegregation of the air force in 1948. So, for a while, it was the davises against the us army. Readers will learn about daviss family background, childhood, education, military career, and societal contributions. Born into an era when potential was measured according to race, davis was determined to be judged by his character and deedsto succeed.
The air forces first black general, he commanded the legendary tuskegee group of fighter pilots in world war ii. Anne enright, author of actress 0 comment by jill owens. Davis, jr american tells a compelling story of personal achievement against formidable odds. This episode from the air force television program air force now contains an interview with tuskegee airman lt. Davis, 1991, smithsonian institution press edition, in english. The first black to graduate from west point in the twentieth century, davis. Davis and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. He faced increasing opposition from outside harlem after the end of world war ii.
Readers will learn about davis s family background, childhood, education, military career, and societal contributions. He was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. 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. An american first the striking thing about davis s autobiography, 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. Award is given to civil air patrol cap members who complete level two of the senior member professional development program. 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. Finally, in 1991 davis wrote his memoirs, relating his challenges and achievements over the years in his book benjamin o. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 first edition with your subscription. Gen benjamin o davis jr, who broke color barriers and shattered racial myths as commander of tuskegee airmen, pioneering black fighter. 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. He is a 1992 recipient of the langley gold medal from the smithsonian institution.