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PHOTOCOPIED October 2, 2002; NASM PRESERVATION COPY

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[[image - black and white photograph of Davis in a cockpit pointing ahead]]
[[caption]]Gen. Davis flew Mustangs, Airacobras, leading famed 99th Fighter Group.[[/caption]]

FLYING GENERAL

World War II Ace wins his stars in Japan

Top ranking Negro officer in the U. S. Armed Forces today is handsome young Brigadier General Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr., director of Operations and Training, headquarters, Far East Air Forces, Tokyo, Japan. The second Negro general in U. S. history he follows his father, Gen. B. O. Davis Sr., retired. While his dad rose from the ranks in 39 years, young Davis, a West Point grad, made it in 18.

In 1936, when he graduated from West Point, General Davis was the first Negro to finish in 50 years. Born in Washington D.C., Dec. 18, 1912, he attended the public schools there and in Cleveland. Before West Point, he went to Western Reserve U and the University of Chicago. As a commissioned officer, Davis rose rapidly. By 1941, he was an Infantry captain, serving briefly as his father's aide. In 1942, he was assigned to the Air Corps. Completing training at Tuskegee, Davis was placed in command of the famous all-Negro 99th Fighter Squadron which distinguished itself in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. Davis returned to the States and was given command of the 332nd Fighter Group, another all-Negro unit. Again he went overseas as part of the 12th Fighter Command, the 332nd strafed shipping and wreaked havoc with low level skip bombing at Anzio and Cassino. They completed 200 combat missions. Later, the 332nd served as escorts for heavy bombers and in this, they never lost a bombing plane. Today, General Davis no longer commands Negro troops. 

In service, General Davis has earned many decorations,

[[image - black & white photograph of Gen. Davis standing in front of the Air War College]] 
[[caption]] Gen. Davis was first Negro to attend Air War College at Maxwell. [[/caption]]

[[image - black & white photograph of Gen. Partridge pinning a star on Gen. Davis]]
[[caption]] In Tokyo, his hard earned stars are pinned on by Gen. Partridge. [[/caption]]  

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