Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., 1880-1970 Fletcher, Marvin creator author. text bibliography biography ksu 1989 1989 monographic eng

print

xix, 226 pages : portraits ; 23 cm "Throughout an illustrious career that spanned the half-century from the Spanish-American War through World War II, Benjamin O. Davis proved that determination and diplomacy could overcome the barriers raised by racial bigotry. Today there are as many as 10,000 black officers in the army. In Davis's day there weren't more than two or three. As Marvin Fletcher's admiring but balanced portrait shows, this enormous change owes not a little to the persistent efforts and quiet dignity of Benjamin O. Davis. Davis helped 'lay the foundation for the integration of the armed forces, the first major break in the wall of segregated America.' Born into the black middle class of Washington, D.C., Davis maintained a lifelong love for the military, despite the debilitating effects of the army's segregation policies. Such policies repeatedly denied Davis promotions and meant " safe assignments"--Liberia, Tuskegee Institute, Wilberforce University--designed to keep him from commanding white troops. It took thirty years from his enlistment until his promotion to colonel, and another decade before he became America's first black general. Promoted to brigadier general at the start of World War II, Davis headed a special section that monitored black military units at home and overseas, investigated an increasing number of racial disturbances, and bolstered the black soldier's morale. He was largely responsible for persuading the Army to try a limited form of integration. The success of that effort led to a federal mandate for the integration of the entire American armed forces."-- The early years: 1880-1898 -- A career begins: 1898-1901 -- Triumphs and tragedies: 1901-1920 -- A holding pattern: 1920-1940 -- World War II -- Inspector general: 1941-1942 -- World War II -- New directions: 1943-1944 -- World War II -- The ETO: 1944-1945 -- A career closes: 1946-1970 -- Conclusion. Marvin E. Fletcher ; with a foreword by Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Includes bibliographical references (pages 211-218) and index. n-us--- Davis, Benjamin O 1880-1970 Davis, Benjamin O 1880-1970 Davis, Benjamin O 1880-1970 Davis, Benjamin O 1880-1970 Davis, Benjamin O United States. Army Biography United States. Army African American troops United States. Army. United States. Army. United States. Army Biography United States. Army African American troops African American generals Biography Generals United States Biography African American generals Generals Armed Forces African American troops General African American generals Biography Generals United States Biography United States USA United States. Army. Black officers, history - Biographies U53.D38 F62 Fletcher, Marvin. Lawrence, Kan. : University Press of Kansas, �1989 (OCoLC)755177568 0700603816 9780700603817 0700609636 88026122 http://www.gbv.de/dms/bowker/toc/9780700609635.pdf http://www.gbv.de/dms/bowker/toc/9780700609635.pdf DLC 880810 20240606081135.0 ocm18411824 eng