Benjamin O. Davis Jr., who led the Tuskegee Airmen, is promoted to brigadier general, the first Black general in the U.S. Air Force.
At a Glance
- Date
- 27 October 1954
- Location
- United States
- Key people
- Benjamin O. Davis Jr.
- Category
- Military
- Source
- U.S. Air Force records (1954) · U.S. Air Force
What It Meant Then
His promotion broke the color line in the upper ranks of the new service.
What It Means Now
Davis later rose to lieutenant general and, by special honor, four-star general.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Becomes the First Black Air Force General.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/benjamin-o-davis-jr-becomes-the-first-black-air-force-general/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Becomes the First Black Air Force General. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/benjamin-o-davis-jr-becomes-the-first-black-air-force-general/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Becomes the First Black Air Force General.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/benjamin-o-davis-jr-becomes-the-first-black-air-force-general/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.