08/23/2026
CDTs Robert Tresville (left) & Clarence Davenport, the 7th & 6th African American graduates of the Long Gray Line. Both were Class of January 1943. This photo is 1941 or 1942 near today’s Mahan Hall. Tresville became a pilot, a Tuskegee Airman, commanded the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, flew over 20 combat missions, & went MIA in June 1944 while flying a P-47D. Colonel Davenport had a long career which included commanding the 32nd AADCOM & earning a master’s in bioradiology from Cal Berkeley. I believe both were silenced by the Corps & had to live alone. Nobody shook Davenport’s hand at Plebe Recognition according to an obituary. All of that makes this casual, happy snapshot even more extraordinary. I don’t think this has ever been published. Davenport receiving his diploma was featured in the Government’s 1944 documentary The Negro Soldier, directed by Frank Capra. Photo: Personal collection.