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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 deeds—to succeed as an American, and not to fail because of color.
With twelve million citizens —the black population of the United States—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. “Silenced” 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.
He went on to lead the 99th Pursuit Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group—units known today as the Tuskegee Airmen—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.
Davis’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 Truman’s integration of the military in 1949, conditions in the civilian community continued, eased but not erased by enactment of President Johnson’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.
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 Davis’s conviction that discrimination—both within the military and in American society—reflects neither this nation’s ideals nor the best use of its human resources.
With twelve million citizens —the black population of the United States—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. “Silenced” 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.
He went on to lead the 99th Pursuit Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group—units known today as the Tuskegee Airmen—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.
Davis’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 Truman’s integration of the military in 1949, conditions in the civilian community continued, eased but not erased by enactment of President Johnson’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.
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 Davis’s conviction that discrimination—both within the military and in American society—reflects neither this nation’s ideals nor the best use of its human resources.
462 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 1991
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193 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 22, 2019
This is a terrific book. I am so frustrated that Davis was "silenced" while at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where not one other cadet spoke to him, except for official reasons, during his entire tenure. Davis and his father were the first black American generals in the U.S. Army, and his is a story well worth reading. I highly recommend this book.
February 2, 2021
General Davis Jr went through extreme challenges to achieve his dream and goal. He didn't let anything stand in his way. And although he went through hardships he maintained his dignity and honor.
January 11, 2021
American
July 31, 2020
This has been sitting on my shelf since it came out in '91. It seemed like a good time to take it down for a read. Davis is not one to carry grudges, and he greatly enhances his credibility by noting frankly when he does now the circumstances or motivation behind a questionable action. He can praise the worthy actions of people he dislikes. But clearly the way he was treated at West Point was appalling and infuriating. Few people would talk to him outside the line of duty. Some cadets refused to eat at his table. He never had a roommate. He made no friends. He graduated 35th in a class of 276.
At first his professional life met with many obstacles and indignities, both petty and serious. The Army hardly know what to do with him because he could not be put in a position over white soldiers. He spent many years with ROTC detachments at black colleges. His great opportunity came during WWII, when he was accepted for pilot training and joined the new segregated flying units in the Army Air Force. There his abilities quickly earned him command and promotion to colonel. His units had excellent combat records. He helped prove that black airmen could do just as well as anyone else, despite the fears of those who didn't want to let them try. After the war he joined the new Air Force and rejoiced in its desegregation. He was very proud of his service's role in leading the country in this righteous and necessary social change.
Then there's a marked change of tone in the autobiography. Racial problems become rare and minor. It's a story of one responsible and challenging assignment after another. Everyone is warm, generous, intelligent, congenial, efficient, conscientious. All operations are brilliantly successful and all organizations are efficient. We get a blow-by-blow of every reception, dinner, meeting, and conference, and we hear of all the good friends he makes everywhere he goes. His wife goes sightseeing and shopping, hobnobs with wives of local bigwigs, and takes classes. Clearly he kept a detailed diary of all his doings, but frankly it gets a bit tedious. He was a very gregarious guy, but I guess that's typical of general offices. The only major downer is sometimes having to live in DC, which in the early 1960s was still a segregated city.
Tidbits: His father, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., was also an Army general, the first black general in the US. Davis Senior enlisted in 1899 and within a few months (!) he was promoted to sergeant-major; a few years later he was offered a commission. His big advantage in compared to other soldiers was that he could read. Davis Junior was appointed to West Point Class of 1936 by a black Republican congressman. In his retirement Davis became a national champion for the 55 mph speed limit, on the grounds that it saved lives. He disliked the term "African American" because it divided Americans into ethnic groups. He wanted integration on terms of equality, not separation. He declined to have his portrait put up at West Point to "inspire black cadets"--he felt that would be divisive. He wanted to be remembered for his achievements, not his race. He supported affirmative action to remedy the effects of past injustices. He married soon after graduating from West Point and his wife Agatha supported him warmly throughout his career, but they had no children. She was light-skinned enough to pass for white, which led to a number of amusing and/or appalling incidents.
At first his professional life met with many obstacles and indignities, both petty and serious. The Army hardly know what to do with him because he could not be put in a position over white soldiers. He spent many years with ROTC detachments at black colleges. His great opportunity came during WWII, when he was accepted for pilot training and joined the new segregated flying units in the Army Air Force. There his abilities quickly earned him command and promotion to colonel. His units had excellent combat records. He helped prove that black airmen could do just as well as anyone else, despite the fears of those who didn't want to let them try. After the war he joined the new Air Force and rejoiced in its desegregation. He was very proud of his service's role in leading the country in this righteous and necessary social change.
Then there's a marked change of tone in the autobiography. Racial problems become rare and minor. It's a story of one responsible and challenging assignment after another. Everyone is warm, generous, intelligent, congenial, efficient, conscientious. All operations are brilliantly successful and all organizations are efficient. We get a blow-by-blow of every reception, dinner, meeting, and conference, and we hear of all the good friends he makes everywhere he goes. His wife goes sightseeing and shopping, hobnobs with wives of local bigwigs, and takes classes. Clearly he kept a detailed diary of all his doings, but frankly it gets a bit tedious. He was a very gregarious guy, but I guess that's typical of general offices. The only major downer is sometimes having to live in DC, which in the early 1960s was still a segregated city.
Tidbits: His father, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., was also an Army general, the first black general in the US. Davis Senior enlisted in 1899 and within a few months (!) he was promoted to sergeant-major; a few years later he was offered a commission. His big advantage in compared to other soldiers was that he could read. Davis Junior was appointed to West Point Class of 1936 by a black Republican congressman. In his retirement Davis became a national champion for the 55 mph speed limit, on the grounds that it saved lives. He disliked the term "African American" because it divided Americans into ethnic groups. He wanted integration on terms of equality, not separation. He declined to have his portrait put up at West Point to "inspire black cadets"--he felt that would be divisive. He wanted to be remembered for his achievements, not his race. He supported affirmative action to remedy the effects of past injustices. He married soon after graduating from West Point and his wife Agatha supported him warmly throughout his career, but they had no children. She was light-skinned enough to pass for white, which led to a number of amusing and/or appalling incidents.
August 26, 2014
Davis had so many people working to see him fail, but he persevered, and worked hard instead of fighting back. He is a model leader to develop personal relationships to get past hurdles in achieving organizational goals. I had this book signed by him when I started Air Force ROTC in 1991, and I'm so glad I kept it and finally took time to read it.
June 19, 2020
I would give this book three and one-half starts. Benjamin O. Davis, in his autobiography, discusses the mind boggling horrendous treatment of African American men in the US military through WWII and beyond.
The first 150 pages of this book were captivating and a real educational opportunity, but with a few exceptions, it began to read more like a diary of everyone General Davis met at every base he visited and every event he attended throughout his impressive career.
I do recommend this autobiography for its historical content, but beware, there are parts of the book that the reader might want to skim.
The first 150 pages of this book were captivating and a real educational opportunity, but with a few exceptions, it began to read more like a diary of everyone General Davis met at every base he visited and every event he attended throughout his impressive career.
I do recommend this autobiography for its historical content, but beware, there are parts of the book that the reader might want to skim.
May 16, 2021
Excellent biography of a very strong willed individual. Good detail and descriptions of life experiences.
May 24, 2023
Well written autobiography of Tuskegee Airman and Air Force Lt. General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.
Want to read
June 23, 2015Recommended by Jim S
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews