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PHOTOCOPIED OCTOBER 2,2002; NASM PRESERVATION COPY

^[[Chgo. Daily Tribune-10-28]]

[[image - Black and white photos of Generals Davis Jr. and Davis Sr.]]
[caption]Davis Jr. [left] and Davis Sr.[[/caption]]

FIRST AIR FORCE NEGRO GENERAL NAMED BY IKE

 Washington, Oct. 27 (AP)-
President Eisenhower today named the first Negro air force general. He is Benjamin Oliver Davis,Jr.,41, a native of Washington now serving as director of operations and training of the far east air forces.
 Davis, who is the son of Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, a retired army officer, was promoted from the rank of colonel  to the temporary rank of brigadier general under the President's directive. His father was the first Negro to become an army general.
 A 1936 graduate of West Point, the new air force general flew 60 combat missions as a World War II pilot serving Italy as commander of the 332d fighter group.
 Born in Washington, Dec.18,1912, he was graduated from high school in  Cleveland and attended Western Reserve of Chicago before going to West Point.
 Since then he has held a number of high positions including the post of commander of the Lockbourne army air base in Columbus,O.
 His citations include the letter of merit, the silver star, the distinguished flying crosswind the air medal with four oak leaf clusters. He has held the permanent rank of colonel since July 27,1930.