Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.: American: An Autobiography

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Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.: American: An Autobiography

Set against the backdrop of twentieth-century America, against the social fabric of segregation and the broad canvas of foreign war, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.: American tells a compelling story of personal achievement against formidable odds. Born into an era when potential was measured according to race, Davis was determined to be judged by his character and deedsâ€”to succeed as an American, and not to fail because of color.
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With twelve million citizens â€”the black population of the United Statesâ€”pulling for him, Davis entered West Point in 1932, resolved to become an officer even though official military directives stated that blacks were decidedly inferior, lacking in courage, superstitious, and dominated by moral and character weaknesses. â€œSilencedâ€ by his peers, for four years spoken to only in the line of duty, David did not falter. He graduated 35th in a class of 276 and requested assignment to the Army Air Corps, then closed to blacks.
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He went on to lead the 99th Pursuit Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Groupâ€”units known today as the Tuskegee Airmenâ€”into air combat over North Africa and Italy during World War II. His performance, and that of his men, enabled the Air Force to integrate years before civilian society confronted segregation. Thereafter, in a distinguished career in the Far East, Europe, and the United States, Davis commanded both black and white units.
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Davisâ€™s story is interwoven with often painful accounts of the discrimination he and his wife, Agatha, endured as a fact of American military and civilian life. Traveling across the country, unable to find food and lodging, they were often forced to make their way nonstop. Once on base, they were denied use of clubs and, in the early days, were never allowed to attend social activities. Though on-base problems were solved by President Trumanâ€™s integration of the military in 1949, conditions in the civilian community continued, eased but not erased by enactment of President Johnsonâ€™s legislative program in the 1960s. Overseas, however, where relations were unfettered by racism, the Davises enjoyed numerous friendships within the military and with such foreign dignitaries as President and Madame Chiang Kai-shek.
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Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., retired in 1970 as a three-star general. His autobiography, capturing the fortitude and spirit with which he and his wife met the pettiness of segregation, bears out Davisâ€™s conviction that discriminationâ€”both within the military and in American societyâ€”reflects neither this nationâ€™s ideals nor the best use of its human resources.

Country	USA
Author	Benjamin O. Davis Jr
Binding	Kindle Edition
EISBN	9781944466039
Format	Kindle eBook
Label	Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press
Manufacturer	Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press
NumberOfPages	442
PublicationDate	2016-04-19
Publisher	Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press
ReleaseDate	2016-04-19
Studio	Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.: American: An Autobiography

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