Breaking Barriers in Military Service
In a historic move, the United States Army has posthumously promoted Charles Young to the rank of brigadier general, a century after his groundbreaking career as the first African American to achieve the rank of colonel.
This honorary designation, awarded on April 29, 2022, at the United States Military Academy at West Point, recognizes Young’s trailblazing service and the obstacles he faced due to the racism of his era.
“Charles Young weathered social isolation not only at West Point but throughout his military and National Parks career,” his great niece Renotta Young recalled during the ceremony, highlighting the challenges he endured.
A Legacy of Firsts
Born in 1864 to enslaved parents in Kentucky, Young’s path to greatness was paved with perseverance and determination. He became the third African American to graduate from West Point in 1889, defying the odds and overcoming the racism he faced from instructors and fellow cadets.
Throughout his illustrious career, Young continued to shatter barriers. He became the first Black national park superintendent when he and his troops were assigned to manage Sequoia National Park in 1903. Additionally, he served as the first Black military attaché to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Liberia.
Unwavering Dedication
Despite facing numerous obstacles, Young’s commitment to his service was unwavering. As W.E.B. DuBois wrote in the NAACP’s “The Crisis” publication after Young’s death, “He was one of the few men I know who literally turned the other cheek with Jesus Christ.”
“When a white Southern pigmy at West Point protested at taking food from a dish passed first to Young, Young passed it to him first and afterward to himself. When officers of inferior rank refused to salute a ‘n***er,’ he saluted them. Seldom did he lose his temper, seldom complain,” DuBois recounted, painting a vivid picture of Young’s resilience.
Honoring a Trailblazer
Young’s promotion to brigadier general is not only a recognition of his exceptional service but also an attempt to address the Army’s history of discrimination.
As Under Secretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo stated during the ceremony, “Charles Young’s promotion today to brigadier general has been a long time delayed, but fortunately for all of us no longer denied.”
The Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, established in 2013 in Wilberforce, Ohio, stands as a testament to his legacy, ensuring that his remarkable story continues to inspire future generations of military leaders and servicemembers.
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