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[[image - black & white photograph of Col. Davis]]
B. O. DAVIS, JR.
COLONEL, AIR CORPS
Commanding

Born 18 December 1912, Washington, D.C.  Appointed to U.S. Military Academy 1 July 1932 from Illinois, graduating in June 1936.  Assigned to 24th Infantry Regiment at Ft. Benning, Ga., 1936-37.  Attended Infantry School at Ft. Benning 1937-38.  Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Tuskegee Institute, Ala., from 1938 to 1940.  Spent several months with Fourth Cavalry Brigade in 1941 at Ft. Riley, Kan.  As a Captain, he transferred to the Air Corps and to Tuskegee Army Air Field, Ala., for flight training.  Graduated with first class of P-40 pilots in 1942.  Assumed command of the overseas-bound 99th Pursuit Squadron, arriving in Casablanca, April 1943.  Returned to U. S., in November 1943, to take command of 332nd Fighter Group at Selfridge Field, Mich.  Second tour of overseas duty in World War II: CO of 332nd Fighter Group in Sicily and Italy.  Returned June 1945, to command 477th Bombardment Group (M), later re-designated 477th Composite Group at Godman Field, Ky.  Assume command of the entire base 1 July 1945.

Awards and decorations:  Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf clusters, Distinguished Unit Citation, European Theater ribbon, and the American Defense and American Theater ribbons.