U.S. Census Bureau Black History Month Feature for February 29

WASHINGTON, Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily Black History Month feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29: GENERAL BENJAMIN DAVIS JR.

Profile America for the 29th day of Black History Month.  Born in Washington, D.C., Benjamin O. Davis Jr. had a lot to live up to.  His father became the Army's first black general in 1940.  The junior Davis graduated from West Point in 1936, and in March of 1942, earned his pilot's wings.  He went on to command the 99th Fighter Squadron, the famous "Tuskegee Airmen."  This group, flying red tailed P-51 Mustangs, had an enviable record escorting bombers and keeping them safe from enemy fighters.  Davis, known for bravery in combat, and with a distinguished military record, became the air force's first black general in 1954.  Today in the U.S., there are just under 2 million surviving veterans of World War II, including the African pilots of the Tuskegee Airmen.  This special edition of Profile America is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Sources:  The U.S. Air Force
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 521

Profile America Special Edition:  Black History Month  2012  is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov  (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button). 

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau