Russell C. Davis (general)

Russell C. Davis was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, on October 22, 1938,[1] and graduated from Tuskegee Institute High School.[2] As recounted in a speech at Simpson College, Davis's great-great grandfather, a former slave, helped raise money to found what now is known as Tuskegee University. Davis's grandfather worked with George Washington Carver at Tuskegee, and Davis related that when he was a child attending a nursery school on campus, Carver was still a well-known figure at the school, the "tall man in a lab coat who gave us children candy."[3]

He began his military career in 1958 as an aviation cadet in the United States Air Force, and he received his commission in 1960.[4] Following pilot training, he was assigned at Lincoln Air Force Base, Nebraska, and he graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a Bachelor of Arts degree in general education in 1963.[5] After serving as a bomber pilot, he was released from active duty in April, 1965 and joined the Iowa Air National as an interceptor pilot.[6]

Upon release from active duty, Davis joined the 132nd Fighter Wing, Iowa Air National Guard in Des Moines. He served in numerous command and staff positions from squadron pilot to director of operations, and advanced through the ranks to colonel.[7]

In 1969, Davis completed his Juris Doctor degree at Drake University and became an attorney. He actively practiced until 1979, when he went back on active duty with the Air National Guard. Davis graduated from the Air Command and Staff College in 1973 and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1979.[8]

In June, 1979 Davis was appointed as chief of manpower and personnel at the Air National Guard Support Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. From March 1980 to January 1982, he was executive officer to the director of the Air National Guard.[9]

From February 1982 to July 1990, he commanded the 113th Tactical Fighter Wing, and he was promoted to brigadier general in December, 1982. Davis was the first African-American to become a general officer in the Air National Guard.[10]

In 1989 Davis graduated from the National and International Security Management Course at Harvard University.

Davis was the assistant for national guard matters for the commander of the Tactical Air Command from July, 1990 to December, 1991. He was promoted to major general in August, 1990.[11]

In December 1991 Davis was appointed commander of the District of Columbia National Guard. He served in this position until December 1995.[12]

In December 1995 Davis was appointed Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau.[13] He held this post until August, 1998, when he was named chief of the National Guard Bureau and promoted to lieutenant general.[14] Davis was the first African-American to serve as NGB chief,[15] and he held the position until retiring on November 1, 2002.

At the time of his retirement, Davis was the last member of the U.S. Air Force Aviation Cadet program to still be serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force.[16]

Davis was active in several educational and civic endeavors, including serving as member of the Drake University board of trustees and president of National Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. He also works as a consultant in national securities, homeland security/defense, aviation operations and safety, training and development, equal opportunity and diversity and a wide variety of legal issues.[17]

• Rating: Command pilot
• Flight hours: More than 4,700
• Aircraft flown: B-47, T-33, F-89, F-84, F-100, A-7, F-4 and F-16

	US Air Force Command Pilot Badge

	Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
	Legion of Merit with bronze oak leaf cluster
	Meritorious Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Commendation Medal
	Army Commendation Medal
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
	Combat Readiness Medal with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
	Army Good Conduct Medal
	National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
	Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and three bronze oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Longevity Service Award (tenth award requires second ribbon due to accouterment spacing)
	Armed Forces Reserve Medal with gold hourglass device
	Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
	Air Force Training Ribbon

Other awards and achievements

• 1956–1958: University scholar, Tuskegee University
• 1969: Jury Award, Drake University Law School
• 1984: NAACP Roy Wilkins Achievement Award
• 1985: Air Force Association Service Award, Air Force Association Headquarters
• 1985: Tuskegee Airmen Achievement Award
• 1987: Tuskegee Airmen Achievement and Service Award
• 1988: Ira Eaker Fellow, Tony Anthony Chapter, AFA
• 1990: Howard Kacy Flying Safety Award, District of Columbia ANG
• 1992–1998: Drake University Board of Trustees
• 2012 Carver Medal, Simpson College

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force.

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