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Benjamin O. Davis
Field Marshal Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr. (May 1880 - November 26 1970) was a senior officer of the United States Army who commanded the U.S. Seventh Army in the Mediterranean theater of World War II, and later during the Allied invasion of Germany. After the war, Davis became the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and oversaw the U.S. military's policy making in the Korean War.
Born in Washington, D.C., Davis lied about his age and enlisted in the Cavalry at the start of the Spanish–American War, and came under the tutelage of Charles Young. During World War I, Davis was stationed at Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming. In 1914 he first saw action after being deployed with the 9th Cavalry Regiment to support the United States Gendarmerie in putting down the Arizona Rebellion, America's first military action using motor vehicles.
After the war, Davis became a central figure in the development of the Army's armored warfare doctrine, serving in numerous staff positions throughout the country. At the American entry into World War II, he commanded the 2nd Armored Division.
Davis led U.S. troops into the Mediterranean theater with an invasion of Casablanca during Operation Torch in 1943, and soon established himself as an effective commander by rapidly rehabilitating the demoralized U.S. II Corps. He commanded the U.S. Seventh Army during the Allied invasion of Italy and became the first allied commander to reach Rome. Davis would continue to lead the Seventh Army during the combined allied invasion of Metropolitan France. After the breakout from Savoy, Davis was appointed to the rank of Field Marshal and took command of the Twelfth United States Army Group, which ultimately comprised forty-three divisions and 1.3 million men, the largest body of American soldiers ever to serve under a single field commander. Davis conducted a highly successful rapid armored drive across France. Under his decisive leadership, the forces of the twelfth army group drove deep into Nazi Germany by the end of the war.
During the Allied occupation of Germany, Davis was named military governor of the Rhineland and took an aggressive stance on denazification. He was appointed as Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1948 and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1949. He was the senior military commander at the start of the Manchu War, and supported President William L. Daweson's policy of containment. Davis left active duty in 1953 (though remaining on "active retirement" for the next 17 years). He continued to serve in public and business roles until his death in 1970.
Born in Washington, D.C., Davis lied about his age and enlisted in the Cavalry at the start of the Spanish–American War, and came under the tutelage of Charles Young. During World War I, Davis was stationed at Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming. In 1914 he first saw action after being deployed with the 9th Cavalry Regiment to support the United States Gendarmerie in putting down the Arizona Rebellion, America's first military action using motor vehicles.
After the war, Davis became a central figure in the development of the Army's armored warfare doctrine, serving in numerous staff positions throughout the country. At the American entry into World War II, he commanded the 2nd Armored Division.
Davis led U.S. troops into the Mediterranean theater with an invasion of Casablanca during Operation Torch in 1943, and soon established himself as an effective commander by rapidly rehabilitating the demoralized U.S. II Corps. He commanded the U.S. Seventh Army during the Allied invasion of Italy and became the first allied commander to reach Rome. Davis would continue to lead the Seventh Army during the combined allied invasion of Metropolitan France. After the breakout from Savoy, Davis was appointed to the rank of Field Marshal and took command of the Twelfth United States Army Group, which ultimately comprised forty-three divisions and 1.3 million men, the largest body of American soldiers ever to serve under a single field commander. Davis conducted a highly successful rapid armored drive across France. Under his decisive leadership, the forces of the twelfth army group drove deep into Nazi Germany by the end of the war.
During the Allied occupation of Germany, Davis was named military governor of the Rhineland and took an aggressive stance on denazification. He was appointed as Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1948 and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1949. He was the senior military commander at the start of the Manchu War, and supported President William L. Daweson's policy of containment. Davis left active duty in 1953 (though remaining on "active retirement" for the next 17 years). He continued to serve in public and business roles until his death in 1970.
- Sean McKnight
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