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[[newspaper clipping]]

DAVIS IS NAMED FIRST GENERAL OF NEGRO RACE AIR FORCE

D.C. Native Reaches Rank Attained by Father in Army

President Eisenhower today appointed the first Negro general in the Air Force.

He is Col. Benjamin O. Davis, jr., promoted to the temporary rank of brigadier general. He is the son of retired Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, sr., of 1721 S street N.W., the first Negro to reach the ran of general in the Army.

The younger Gen. Davis is a 1936 graduate of West Point. During World War II, he commanded the first all-colored fighter squadron, which took part in the campaign in Italy. He also commanded an Air Force wing in Korea.

He was born in Washington December 18, 1912, and was graduated from high school in Cleveland. He attended Western Reserve University and the University of Chicago before going to West point. 

Since his graduation from West Point, he had held a number of high positions, including the post of commander of the Lockbourne Army Air Base in Columbus, Ohio.

His citations include the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. He has held the permanent rank of colonel since July 27, 1950.

[[image - Black and white photo of Brigadier General Davis]]
[[caption - BRIG. GEN. BENJAMIN O. DAVIS, Jr.[[/caption]]

^[[Evening Star - 10/27/54]]