Maryland officials bestowed the rank of brigadier general upon Harriet Tubman during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park. The historic recognition celebrates her groundbreaking role as the first woman to lead an American military operation.
Historic Military Recognition Honors Underground Railroad Leader
Governor Wes Moore led the formal ceremony in Dorchester County, Maryland, marking a significant moment in American military history. “Today, we celebrate a soldier and a person who earned the title of veteran,” Moore declared during the event.
The posthumous promotion to one-star brigadier general in Maryland’s National Guard acknowledges Tubman’s extraordinary military contributions. Her service included working as a scout, spy, and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War.
Pioneering Military Leadership in South Carolina Raid
Tubman’s most notable military achievement came through leading 150 Black soldiers during a strategic gunboat raid in South Carolina. This operation established her as the first woman to command U.S. military personnel in combat.
Her military expertise drew from her experience guiding escaped enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad network. These skills proved invaluable in her role as a Union Army operative.
From Escaped Slave to Military Commander
After escaping slavery herself in 1849, Tubman settled in Philadelphia but chose not to remain in safety. Instead, she repeatedly risked her life returning south to guide others to freedom.
Governor Moore emphasized the significance of her choice, noting that Tubman could have stayed safely in Philadelphia. Rather than choosing comfort, she dedicated herself to liberating others and serving the Union cause.
