Sydney Barber
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Black History Moment: Davis Helped to Open the Door for Blacks in the Military
Benjamin Oliver Davis, Sr. may not be a familiar name, however, his accomplishments sure are as they opened the door for Black leadership in the military. At 21 years old, Davis entered the army during the Spanish American War as a temporary first lieutenant of the 8th United States Volunteer Infantry. He became the first African American General Officer in the Regular Army and in the U.S. Armed Forces.