ROCK OF THE YEAR
ROCK OF THE YEAR
FOR 1979
Major General FREDERIC E. DAVISON
U.S. Army, Retired
Major General Davison was born September 28, 1917 in Washington, D.C. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant at Howard University and was concurrently awarded a Bachelor of Science in Zoology (Cum Laude) in 1938. In 1940, he earned a Master of Science in Zoology from Howard University. He also earned a Masters degree in International Affairs from George Washington University and a diploma from the Army War College.
In March 1941, he was assigned to the 366th Infantry Regiment at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. From 1941 to 1944, General Davison moved up through the ranks from Platoon Leader to Executive Officer, and Company Commander of a heavy weapons company.
By 1959, General Davison was assigned to Korea as Chief of Personnel Services for the Eighth Army. Subsequent assignments included service with the Office of the Under Secretary of the Army as Chief of Reserve Components Division; volunteer duty in Vietnam as Deputy Commander of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in Bilm Chanh. During the Tet Offensive, when the Brigade Commander was evacuated because of injuries, the General was designated as the Brigade Commander, and led the defense of the United States base at Long Binh. For his exemplary efforts, he was promoted to Brigadier General and had his star pinned on by General Creighton Abrams, the senior United States Commander in Vietnam who said: “In my judgment, I know of no officer more deserving.” General Davison became only the third black in American history to earn a general’s star in the active force, and the first in a United States Army combat command.
He was the first black in American History to command an Army Division (8th Infantry Division in Germany), and the first black to command the Military District of Washington. He retired from active federal service December 31, 1974, and served with distinction as the Executive Assistant to the president of Howard University from 1975 to 1986.
His decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Arm7y Commendation Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.
General Davidson is married to the former Jean E. Brown. They have four daughters, Jean D. Eubanks, Andrea D Roberts, Dale A. Davidson and Carla M. Davidson.
ROCK OF THE YEAR
FOR 1980
Major General JAMES F. HAMLET
U.S. Army, Retired
Major General Hamlet was born on December 13, 1921 in Alliance, OH. His studies at Tuskegee Institute were interrupted by military service. He graduated from Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an Infantry Second Lieutenant in 1944. He subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Saint Benedict’s College. His additional educational development included the Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.
General Hamlet’s military service spanned more than 37 years. This included diversified troop command and staff duty in Korea, Vietnam, Europe and various U.S. installations including the Pentagon. During 3 years of combat duty in Vietnam, he commanded the 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion; 11th Combat Aviation Group, and the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. He also served as the Assistant Division Commander, 101st Airborne Division. In August 1972, General Hamlet returned to the U.S. and was assigned as Commanding General, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. In 1974 he assumed duties in the pentagon as the Army’s Deputy Inspector General. He retired from the Army in 1981.
General Hamlet’s decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Senior Army Aviator Badge.
General Hamlet currently resides with his wife, the former Paulette Dejoie, in Trenton, New jersey. He has one son, James Donald Hamlet.
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