Frederic E. Davison

Major General Frederic Ellis Davison (28 September 1917 – 24 January 1999) was a United States Army officer and the first African American to reach the rank of major general and become a division commander. After serving in World War II, he served as commander of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade during the Vietnam War.

Early life and education He was born in Washington, D.C. to Sue Bright Davison and Ellis Charles Davison on 28 September 1917. He attended Dunbar High School and then Howard University, graduating in 1938. He obtained his master's degree in 1940 in chemistry and zoology.

Military career He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps in March 1939. He was given command of the brigade in August 1968 His final assignment commencing in November 1973 was as commander of the Washington Military District. He retired from the Army in 1974 and became executive assistant at Howard University until 1985 when he retired from that role.

Davison died on 24 January 1999 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.