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PHOTOCOPIED October 2, 2002; NASM PRESERVATION COPY.

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GENERAL-TO-BE B. O. Davis Jr., IS
Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., the 41-year-old, multi-decorated flier being groomed as the Air Force's first Negro brigadier general, has the reputation for being a strict disciplinarian who provokes fellow officers to anger with "spit and polish" methods, the International News Service reported in a Washington story.

Among the charges hurled by Davis's ex-officers were that the son of the Army's first brigadier general was "hard to get along with" and "aloof." "In social talk and drinking, he's a friendly chap" said one officer, "but you never forget that he's the commanding officer – you laugh loudest at his jokes."

Young B. O., a handsome 6-foot, 2-inch pilot, who rose from captain to colonel in four years and now commands a fighter group in Korea, was called "the most West Pointish

CALLED 'SPIT AND POLISH' OFFICER

of West Pointers" who runs "a sharp outfit."

"Men under him" said one informant, "expect frequent parades and inspections. They must have blouses buttoned, ties straight, uniform spotless and be snappy in military courtesy. If he sees sloppiness, a subordinate is on the carpet."

Said a former subordinate: "He is efficient to a point where some of us thought he overdid it. But he runs a clean base. Everything is in order. He informs himself on everything. Paper work is meticulous – or else." An intimate said Davis earned a reputation of being a "martinet" (strict disciplinarian) when he commanded the all-Negro 99th Pursuit Squadron during World War II. "He cracked down." said the former officer. "He wanted the unit to be an example of sharpness, and it was."
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