General Benjamin Oliver Davis, Sr. First African American Army General Scott # 3121  Issued January 28, 1997 in Washington D.C.  Designed by Richard Sheaff

Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr. was born in Washington D.C. on July 1, 1877. Benjamin attended the M Street High School and enrolled at Howard University in 1897. In 1898 during the Spanish-American War, he left school and volunteered as a First Lieutenant in the 8th U.S. Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in the 9th U.S. Calvary, regular army at Fort Duchesne, Utah on June 18, 1899. He rose rapidly through the ranks and received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1901. Benjamin was promoted to First Lieutenant in 1905 and Captain in 1915. 

He was the military attaché to Monrovia, Liberia from 1909 to 1912 and then assigned garrison duty and border patrol in the western U.S.  He stood another tour of duty in the Philippines from 1917 to 1920 during which time he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.  Benjamin was assigned as a professor of military tactics at the Tuskegee Institute from 1920 to 1924.

Benjamin received his first independent command, the 369th National Guard Infantry Regiment in 1938 and on October 25, 1940 he became the first African American general in U.S. history. He was appointed  to the Committee on Negro Troop Policies in 1942 where he helped to solve racial incidents.  

General Davis was instrumental in changing the military's policies on segregation and instituted a proposal to retrain African American service troops as combat soldiers. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his efforts in changing the Army's policy regarding segregation.

General Davis retired on July 14, 1948 after 50 years of distinguished service. During his army career he received  the French Crois de Guerre with Palm, Commander of the Order of the Star of Africa and the Bronze Star medal.

General Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. died on November 26, 1970 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. 

General Davis' son, Benjamin O. Davis Jr. also excelled in his military career and later became the first African American general in the United States Air Force. He was the commander of the illustrious Tuskegee Airmen and received the 4th star of a full general in 1998.

Sources: 
Encyclopedia Britannica  
Encyclopedia Africana