Invisible Generals: Rediscovering Family Legacy, and a Quest to Honor America’s First Black Generals

This amazing true story of America’s first Black generals, Benjamin O. Davis Sr. and Jr., a father and son who helped integrate the American military and created the Tuskegee Airmen, is ＂the book Black America needs in this moment＂ (Eboni K. Williams, lawyer and cohost of State of the Culture).

Red Tails, George Lucas’s celebration of America’s first Black flying squadron, the Tuskegee Airmen, should have been a moment of victory for Doug Melville. He expected to see his great-uncle Benjamin O. Davis Jr.--the squadron’s commander--immortalized on-screen for his selfless contributions to America. But as the film rolled, Doug was shocked when he realized that Ben Jr.’s name had been omitted and replaced by the fictional Colonel A. J. Bullard. And Ben’s father, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., America’s first Black general who helped integrate the military, was left out completely.

Dejected, Doug looked inward and realized that unless he worked to bring their inspirational story to light, it would remain hidden from the world just as it had been concealed from him.

In this ＂thoughtful, highly readable blend of family and military history＂ (Kirkus Reviews), Melville shares his quest to rediscover his family’s story across five generations, from post-Civil War America to modern day Asia and Europe. In life, the Davises were denied the recognition and compensation they’d earned, but through his journey, Melville uncovers something greater: that dedication and self-sacrifice can move proverbial mountains--even in a world determined to make you invisible.

Invisible Generals recounts the lives of a father and his son who always maintained their belief in the American dream. As the inheritor of their legacy, Melville retraces their steps, advocates for them to receive their long-overdue honors and unlocks the potential we all hold to retrieve powerful family stories lost to the past.

Doug Melville is one of the most innovative voices in diversity, equity, and inclusion, with over a decade of experience. Most recently he was the global head of diversity and inclusion at Richemont, one of the world’s leading luxury goods companies. Previously, Melville worked on Madison Avenue advising clients--including Apple, Airbnb, PepsiCo, Nissan, and more--on inclusive ad campaigns and communication strategies. He has also lectured at Stanford University, Georgetown University, and Harvard University. His first book, Invisible Generals, was released on Veterans Day 2023. Find out more at DougMelville.com.