Davis, Benjamin Oliver Sr.

1877 - Born in Washington, D.C., on the 1st of July. He was the first African-American general in the U.S. Army.

1898 - He entered the military service on 13th of July as a temporary first lieutenant of the 8th United States Volunteer Infantry.

1899 - He was mustered out on 6th of March.

        - On 18th of June, he enlisted as a private in Troop I, U.S. 9th Cavalry Regiment of the Regular Army and served as corporal and squadron sergeant major.

1901 - On the 2nd of February, he was commissioned a second lieutenant of Cavalry in the Regular Army.

1901 - In August he was assigned to duty with the 2nd Squadron, 10th Cavalry.

1905-1909 - He was made Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Wilberforce University, Ohio.

1905 - Promoted to first lieutenant on 30th of March.

1912 - Served as Military Attaché to Monrovia, Liberia.

1915 - Attained the rank of captain on 24th of December.

1917 - He was the temporary major on 5th of August.

1918 - Became the lieutenant colonel (temporary) on 1st of May.

1919 - He reverted to his permanent rank of captain on 14th of October.

1920 - Promoted to lieutenant colonel on 1st of July.

1930 - Became colonel on 18th of February.

1937 - He was transferred from Tuskegee Institute to Wilberforce University.

1940 - Served as brigadier general on 25th of October.

1941 - He was retired on 31st of July and recalled to active duty with the rank of brigadier general the following day.

1942 - Assigned to the European Theater of Operations in September.

1944 - Became Special Assistant to the Commanding General, Communications Zone, and European Theater of Operations, stationed in Paris, France.

1945 - He was granted a period of detached service for the purposes of recuperation and rehabilitation.

1946 - In January he became Special Assistant to the Inspector General, Washington, D.C.

1948 - He retired on 14th of July as the senior Brigadier General.

1970 - Benjamin Oliver Davis, Sr. died on 26th of November.