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Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series featuring veterans of American wars. 

Alfred G. Davis Jr. was one of several African Americans from Washington and Beaufort County who served and lost their lives during World War I. Born in Raleigh on March 29, 1895, Davis would eventually move to Washington when his father, Alfred G. Davis Sr., was appointed vice principal of the Washington Colored School. Davis would go on to become a laborer at Moss Planing Mill. On June 28, 1919, he enlisted and was inducted into the Army. He was assigned to a motor truck detachment and sent to Tallahassee, Florida, for training. He and other African Americans who received training in Tallahassee were assigned to various areas of service, “in accordance with the needs of the Army.”

“We don’t know what may have sparked his decision to join the army,” said Stephen Farrell, curator of special collections at Brown Library. “I want to believe it was to protect the U.S. against tyranny abroad. What is fascinating to me is that during this time of segregation, African Americans stepped to the forefront in a show of patriotism to support the war effort, along with many others. It was folks from all walks of life who joined the fight. Not just the poor or rich, white or black, they all came together during a time of need.”

On September 29, 1918, Davis arrived in France. Just ten days later, on October 9, he lost his life. Not from the bullet of a gun or an artillery round, but from lobar pneumonia. “Tragically, he lost his life after serving in Europe for just ten days,” said Farrell. “However, it was not uncommon for active-duty soldiers to be felled by disease or illness while in combat. Many soldiers during the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and WWI were not killed in action.”

Farrell added the story of Davis and the long list of other African Americans in Washington and Beaufort County who served during WWI is quite telling. “Some enlisted, and others were drafted, but their support of the war effort during a segregated time showed their tenacity and dedication to their home, state, and country, even though they were still living in the shadows of the Civil War. The first soldiers to be sent overseas during WWI were African Americans. These were the men who drove the trucks, ran the supply lines, and cooked the food. Though often overlooked, they had a special place in the overall victory.”

This, said Farrell, is why it is so important to bring light to their stories. “We have so many African Americans from Washington and Beaufort County who served during WWI, several of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Farrell. “But all too often, their stories have been overlooked. Bringing their stories to life adds to our history and brings about a better understanding in our community of what life was like at that time. Hopefully, it will bring about a larger conversation as to how to commemorate their service as we celebrate Veterans Day each year.”