Bob Scanlon (7 February 1886 – date of death unknown) was an American boxer who partook in over 125 bouts and spent three years fighting in the French Army during the First World War.

He was born in Mobile, Alabama, as Benjamin Lewis and changed his name to Bob Scanlon at an unknown date.

[6] In February 1912, Scanlon delivered an eighth-round knock-out punch to "Blink" McCloskey that reportedly left the man unconscious for a half hour.

As World War I broke out, Scanlon remained in Paris and joined the French Foreign Legion in late August.

[5]: 8  A newspaper column claimed that Scanlon was the first African American to shoot down a plane while he was flying as a gunner with Norman Prince.

[9] In his own personal account, Scanlon was wounded at the Battle of Verdun in 1916 and spent the next 18 months recovering until being discharged from the army.