Who was the first African American four-star general in the U.S. military?

The first African American four-star general in the U.S. military was General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. His promotion to this rank marked a significant milestone in the history of the U.S. Armed Forces, as it represented a breakthrough for African Americans in military leadership positions during a time of considerable racial discrimination and segregation.

Davis's distinguished career began in the 1930s, and he faced numerous challenges due to the prevailing racial attitudes of the time. Despite these obstacles, he excelled as a leader and pilot, notably commanding the famed Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. His promotion to four-star general in 1998 further solidified his legacy as a pioneer and a symbol of progress for African Americans within the military.

While Colin Powell, Lloyd Austin, and Daniel Woodruff are all notable figures in military history, they reached four-star general status after General Davis. Colin Powell became the first African American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and later served as Secretary of State, and Lloyd Austin became the first African American Secretary of Defense. However, it was General Davis who first broke the racial barrier at the four-star level in the military.