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PHOTOCOPIED October 2, 2002; NASM PRESERVATION COPY

^[Please send back for scrapbook 54]

PEOPLE IN THE AIR NEWS

resigned as WAF director to return to Bennington College, Vt., as assistant to its president.

A distinguished military name popped into print last month. From the Far East Air Forces it was learned the COL. BENJAMIN O. DAVIS, JR., now commands the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, an F-86 Sabrejet outfit. Command is not new to 42-year-old Colonel Davis. He was the first CO of the World War II 99th

[image - black & white photograph of Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.]
[[caption]]Col. Davis[[/caption]]

Fighter Squadron, when it was formed at Tuskegee Institute, Ala., in 1942. When the 99th grew into the 332d Group, West Pointer Davis was again picked to lead. Flying P-51s, the group flew long-range cover for the heavies. Last month when retired Brig. Gen. Benjamin Davis, Sr., learned his son was now a Wing Commander, and eligible for general as an Air War College graduate, he said he was "pleased." General Davis, first and only Negro general in the Army's history, has cause. Ben, Jr., would be the USAF's first.