Biography
Davis graduated valedictorian from Omaha's Technical High School in 1937 and went on to attend Omaha University. At Omaha University, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Davis joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 during World War II. He received his flight training at Tuskegee Airfield in Alabama, becoming the first African American from Omaha to graduate and earn his wings. Having graduated at the top of his flight class, he was chosen to be squadron leader of the 302d Fighter Group based in Italy. He later became attached to the 332d Fighter Group as the Assistant Group Operations Officer. The 332d was an all African American unit, known as the "Red Tail" group because of their special aircraft paint scheme. He achieved the rank of captain, flying mostly the P-51 Mustang escort fighter.
Davis' awards and decorations included: a Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Distinguished Unit Citation. He was credited with one aerial victory in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations on July 16, 1944.
During his last assignment with the 99th Pursuit Squadron as Squadron Commander, one of the fighter group Davis commanded destroyed 83 German aircraft. While on a reconnaissance mission to Munich, Germany, Davis was lost and declared missing in action near the Gulf of Trieste in overcast weather. The United States Department of War later issued a presumptive finding of death while missing in action on October 30, 1945.
Read more about this topic: Alfonza W. Davis
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