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PHOTOCOPIED October 2,2002; NASM PRESERVATION COPY
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[[image - Black and white photo of Brigadier General Davis]]
[[caption]]Brig. Gen. B. Davis, Jr.[[/caption]]
  
^[[NY Mirror]]

Air Force Gets Negro General

Washington, Oct. 27 (AP).
-President Eisenhower Wednesday named the first Negro Air Force general, Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr., a 41 yearly native of Washington now serving as director of operations and training of the Far East Air Forces.
 Davis, Son of Brig.Gen.Benjamin O.Davis, a retired Army officer, was promoted from colonel to the temporary rank of brigadier general. His father was the first of his race to become an Army general.
 A 1936 graduate of west Point, the new general flew 60 combat missions as a World War II pilot serving in Italy as commander of the 332d Fighter Group.
 His citations include the Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. He has held the permanent rank of colonel since July 27,1950.
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