Virutal+Legacy+-+Benjamin+O.+Davis+Jr.

Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr, is a simple name that the United States history books can never forget when explaining WWII and the skies. The brave young man was not only the leader of the Tuskegee airmen while they continued to remain the world's best airmen at the time, who fought fierce Nazi squadrons such as the famous Luftwaffe. But he is known today as the first African-American to fully graduate at our countries best military school, West Point Academy. Davis was born to be a pilot, he knew from the first time he set foot on a plane as a teen, that he was bound to be in the sky. Benjamin Sr. was an officer in the United States Army, and lead black units patriotically. Once being accepted by West Point Academy, (which the school was very hesitant to accept him) Davis went through a time we cannot explain. For the 4 years at the school, absolutely nobody talked to him. Nobody. He was completely shunned and amazingly Davis was just the peaceful boy who did not care what they did, he was just proud to be there.

In 1936, he made headlines as the first black to graduate from West Point. Post-graduation, he was rejected into the Army Air Corps. However he later became accepted in 1941. By 1943, Davis became the leader of the Tuskegee Airmen in their advanced missions in North Africa/Mediterranean. Before he knew it, and after a hard time of bigotry, he was dominating with his crew in the sky. Davis recieved the silver flying cross of leadership. After given many awards and respect, Davis was expected to continue his skills in the Pacific Ocean against the tough Japanese kamikaze. Before he could go with the 477th Bombardment Group, the war was over and the training was a waist. Although the first graduate of West Point to be black, he explains how he does not care and how he wishes he is not recognized as the first black at West Point. He claims that "We are all Americans."

Benjamin O. Davis Jr., 1912-2002