African American soldiers have been serving in the U.S. military since the Revolutionary War, and one of the most significant trailblazers was Brig. Gen. Benjamin Davis Sr. A man who constantly pushed against the racial barriers of his time, Davis helped pave the way for future Black soldiers. His journey started in a segregated unit, but he rose to become the first Black general in the U.S. Army—a title he earned after a career of over 40 years in various combat, diplomatic, and administrative roles around the world. His impact not only changed the Army, but also inspired his son, Benjamin O. Davis Jr., to follow in his footsteps and break his own barriers.
Davis was born in Washington, D.C. on July 1, 1877. Though he likely fudged his birthdate to enlist in 1898, Davis came from a family with deep ties to American history—his parents were formerly enslaved. Growing up in a segregated society, Davis faced many challenges but found inspiration in his education. He attended M Street High School in Washington, where he joined the cadet program and first learned about military life. Though he briefly attended classes at Howard University, Davis chose to enlist in the Army instead.
His military career began in 1898 with the segregated 8th Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Spanish-American War. His unit didn’t see combat, and after the war ended, Davis reenlisted as a private in the regular Army. He joined the all-Black 9th Cavalry Regiment, known as the Buffalo Soldiers for their role in the Indian Wars. It didn’t take long for Davis to rise through the ranks—within a year, he was promoted to sergeant major. During this time, he met Lt. Charles Young, the only Black officer in the Army, who mentored him and helped Davis achieve his goal of becoming an officer. By 1901, just two years after enlisting, Davis passed the officer’s exam and became a second lieutenant in the 10th Cavalry.
Davis served with the 10th Cavalry in the Philippines before being transferred to Wilberforce College in 1905 to teach military science and tactics. Over the next 12 years, Davis served in various roles, including a stint as a military attaché in Liberia, and briefly rejoined the 9th Cavalry. When World War I broke out, however, the Army hesitated to send Black soldiers to fight overseas. Many Black regiments were kept away from the frontlines, assigned to border patrols or other less active duties. Davis served as a supply officer in the Philippines during the war, and by 1920, he had been promoted to captain.
Despite not being on the front lines during WWI, Davis continued to push for his own advancement and the advancement of Black soldiers. After the war, he taught at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and held positions with various National Guard units. Then, on October 25, 1940, Davis made history by becoming the first Black brigadier general in the U.S. Army.
Davis would go on to serve in a number of roles during World War II, although much of his time was spent in the Inspector General’s office, where he worked on issues affecting Black troops. He also played a pivotal role in advocating for racial integration within the Army, proposing that Black soldiers be used as replacement troops in integrated units. This small step began to challenge the longstanding belief that soldiers of different races couldn’t serve together in combat.
Davis returned to Washington in 1945 and continued his service until his retirement in 1948. His legacy didn’t end with his retirement—his son, Benjamin O. Davis Jr., would become the second Black general in the Air Force and lead the famed Tuskegee Airmen during WWII. Davis Sr. passed away on November 26, 1970, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Through his resilience, Davis broke countless barriers, leaving a lasting impact on the U.S. Army and setting a new standard for Black soldiers who followed.
