#33: From Harlem to Tuskegee - Like Father, Like Son, Part I

After the Harlem Hellfighter's returned from the Great War, a cultural movement of African American literature, music, art, and entertainment took the United States by storm. Centered in Harlem, the movement - known as the Harlem Renaissance - was the first taste of African American culture for many everyday Americans. Unfortunately, the movement was unable to survive the Great Depression.

It took several years but eventually the Harlem Hellfighters first commander, Colonel William Hayward's vision for the segregated unit was finally achieved when, on the eve or World War II, it became one of the first military units to have an all-African American officer corps. The man who was the first black regimental commander in the 369th's storied history was Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. who would also become the first African American general officer in the history of the US Army when he was promoted to brigadier general in 1940.   

His son, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. who followed in his ground-breaking footsteps, was only the fourth African American cadet to graduate from West Point, and would become one of the first African American pilots in the history of the US Army Air Corps when he was tapped to command the experimental pilot training program taking place in Tuskegee, Alabama.

This week's Ghost of Arlington is:

Army Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis,  Sr. (Section 2, Grave 478-B)

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