September 28, 1926

Maj. Gen. Oliver Dillard was born in Margaret. A former student at Tuskegee Institute, Dillard became the first black graduate of the National War College and the fifth black officer in the U.S. Army to be entitled to display a flag indicating his rank. He served as deputy chief of staff, Intelligence, for both the U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Europe. Throughout his 34-year career, Dillard received many decorations and awards, including two Distinguished Service Medals, a Silver Star and three Legion of Merits. Dillard was inducted into the Army Military Intelligence Hall of Fame and the Alabama Military Hall of Honor.

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