��������

In 1912, Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. was born into a family that made history not just once, but twice.Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr. served in the Army for five decades, becoming the first Black general in any branch of the military. He saw combat in the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II.His son, Davis Jr., kept breaking those barriers. He was the first Black West Point graduate to start his career in the Army.While a professor of military science at Tuskegee Institute, he entered flying school at the Tuskegee Army Air Base, receiving his pilot wings in 1942.>> Lift every voice and sing with our full special about the unsung heroes of Black history.Davis organized and commanded a fighter squadron that became part of the Tuskegee Airmen. He helped military officials desegregate the Air Force and became the first Black brigadier general of the Air Force.Throughout his years after the war, he was in charge of operations and programs at the U.S. Air Force headquarters in Washington, D.C., Tokyo, Taipei, Europe, Germany, Korea, the Republic of the Philippines and Florida.Over the years, he added more stars to his rank, ultimately becoming a four-star general in 1998 after his retirement. President Bill Clinton pinned on the four-star insignia.His military decorations, according to the Air Force, include:Air Force Distinguished Service MedalArmy Distinguished Service MedalSilver StarLegion of Merit with two oak leaf clustersDistinguished Flying CrossAir Medal with four oak leaf clustersAir Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clustersPhilippine Legion of HonorThroughout Black History Month, �������� 13 is also recognizing and honoring the legacy of Alabamians who broke barriers outside of the music industry.Can't see the interactive infographic above? Click here.