"First Black General in US Army History—Promoted Days Before an Election" On October 25, 1940, Benjamin O. Davis Sr. became the first African American brigadier general in United States Army history—just days before the presidential election. According to Encyclopedia.com and military historians, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's promotion was politically motivated to secure Black voters, who were disillusioned with the administration's segregationist policies. Davis had served for 42 years sinc