Davis, Benjamin, Jr.

Davis, Benjamin (Oliver), Jr. (1912–  ) aviator; born in Washington, D.C. Son of a career soldier who became the first black general in the U.S. military, he organized the all-black 99th Fighter Squadron and served with distinction in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. Davis held a series of staff and line posts during the 1950s and 1960s; he had finished a tour as deputy commander, U.S. Strike Command, when he retired in 1970. In 1971 Davis became director of public safety for the city of Cleveland, Ohio.