by guest collaborator Samskrith Raghav ’25
in celebration of Black History Month
At the end of his career, George Lucas released the film Red Tails, a film about the Tuskegee Airmen, an all-black air squadron which served during World War II. While most people were happy with the film’s representation of black men in the armed forces, one man was not; Doug Melville, the grandson of General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. (also known as Ben), was hoping to see his grandfather immortalized on the silver screen, but was instead disappointed. Lucas and company had not only replaced his grandfather with the fictional Colonel “A. J. Bullard,” they had replaced the names of all of the other airmen as well. Indignant at the consistent erasure of his grandfather’s legacy, Melville embarked on a years-long journey to ensure that America knew not only about Ben, but also his whole family, whose many public service contributions had been erased from the history books. Melville documents this story in Invisible Generals, a book with a fascinating story and an important place in modern America. As we honor Black History Month, it’s crucial to reflect on the countless black pioneers whose achievements have been overlooked. “Invisible Generals” serves as a poignant reminder that this month is not just a celebration, but also a time for rediscovery. It’s a time to acknowledge and appreciate the resilience and contributions of those who endured hardships and labored tirelessly to advance our nation.
Starting with Louis Davis, a public servant and friend of President Ulysses S. Grant, Melville catalogs the story of five generations of the Davis family; beginning with the Reconstruction era, it constructs an epic portrait of the contributions of one family of African Americans to American history, and how their contributions were systematically overlooked and covered up. Melville starts with the story of Benjamin O. Davis Sr. (also known as Ollie), Louis’s son, who came into the military with the help of President Grant and served in the Philippine War and World War I. Davis was highly qualified and capable; for instance, he trained the Liberian Army to resist invasions from European powers during the colonization of Africa, earning such high praise that the Liberian government offered him a job in their military. Despite his successes, he was repeatedly given less prestigious assignments and passed over for promotions; he was repeatedly assigned to teach military science and tactics at Wilberforce University, a historically black college, despite his frequent disagreements with the college’s president over issues of student discipline. In spite of the unfair treatments he faced serving in the military, he encouraged his son, Ben, to join the military. To get Ben into West Point Military Academy, a prestigious military academy and elite educational institute, Ollie moved the family to Chicago to get a recommendation from a Black congressman. West Point admitted Ben, but he endured years of harassment and ostracization. Ben was never allowed a roommate or a friend at the academy, as the white cadets refused to even talk to him or acknowledge his existence. Fighting these adversities, Ben graduated second in his class due to his exceptional focus and determination; the 1936 West Point yearbook, the Howitzer, demonstrated that he had earned the respect of the white cadets around him:
“The courage, tenacity, and intelligence with which he conquered a problem incomparably more difficult than plebe year won for him the sincere admiration of his classmates, and his single-minded determination to continue in his chosen career cannot fail to inspire respect wherever fortune may lead him.”
In 1936, Ben became the first black person to graduate from the academy in 43 years. Like his father, Ben was passed over for more prestigious assignments, and was sent to teach military history at Tuskegee University, a historically black educational institution. However, Ben made the most of his assignment and formed the Tuskegee Airmen, an all-black air squadron which found unmatched success in World War II. In one instance, a white bomber squadron specifically requested an escort from the Tuskegee Airmen, leading the airmen to adopt the slogan “By Request”; typically, the army tried to prevent black airmen from flying, but the Tuskegee Airmen earned the respect and admiration of their white peers through their consistent record of success. Meanwhile, Ben’s father Ollie, who was still serving in the military, became the first black Brigadier General in the Army after several rejections; FDR’s promotion of Ollie was largely a political move to gain black support, and Ollie had less than a year to serve in that coveted post before his mandatory retirement at age 64. Soon after Ollie’s retirement, Ben became the first black Air Force General; in this position, he commanded the air force in the Pacific and helped draft an executive order to racially integrate the Air Force. However, he was repeatedly denied his coveted fourth star; President Bill Clinton eventually pinned the fourth star to Ben Jr. after Ben retired, but denied him the monetary compensation that he deserved for his service. After retirement, he joined the private sector as a consultant and pioneered many public security measures; he helped identify the highway speed limit to 55 miles/hour, and minimize fatal car crashes. He also led efforts on the use of metal detectors in airports, a move that anticipated the creation of the TSA, the government agency which supervises airport security.
The stories of Ben and Ollie are important in the modern age. As we come to grips with America’s racial past and present, both men serve as examples of pioneering individuals whose contributions and stories were erased because of their race. However, I believe this book should not just remain a story; it must become a motivating factor which helps change society for the better. In addition to recounting Ben and Ollie’s stories, the author, Doug Melville, shares his story of rediscovery; after watching Lucas’s film Red Tails, he campaigned for Ben’s recognition in the military. Eventually, a major airfield was named after Ben, and West Point honored him by naming its new barracks building for him. Melville reinforces his point by devoting the end of the book to discussing how one can increase awareness of both Ben’s story and the story of your own family; this book should be a starting point which ushers in a new age of increased awareness and rediscovery of lost black history.
While the story in the book is captivating, Melville’s writing could be better. It serves its purpose adequately, allowing the story to shine, but falls short of the exceptional quality that can elevate a great story. If the writing had matched the story’s excellence, the book could have been more impactful. Nevertheless, the book remains an enjoyable read.
Erasure carries a hefty price. It begins with substance and concludes in void, signifying that the act of erasure serves a calculated purpose. This is precisely the fate that befell the achievements of African Americans, systematically obscured by society through a myriad of tactics: neglect, discouragement, demotion, and misattribution. “Invisible Generals” unfolds as a multigenerational saga of such erasure, chronicling the resilience and survival of African American families as they navigate and combat the deliberate obliteration of their excellence.
In the book, Melville takes time to document Ben’s dream of a post-racial America; throughout his life, Ben refused to define his identity by his race, preferring to be seen as an American aviation pioneer. In fact, when donating his memorabilia and items to the Smithsonian museum, Ben and his wife Agatha made sure to strike out the words “black” or “African” from any documents or items; they were both proud Americans, and they wanted to be recognized solely for their achievements rather than their race. I think this book is a step towards the fulfillment of Ben’s dream; by recognizing the real history of America and the contributions of black and minority populations to our modern society, we move closer to a society in which we celebrate all people equally.
image by historyonthenet.com