African Americans in the Military
African American History
African Americans in the Military
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1775 |
Black soldier Salem Poor is cited for valor at the Battle of Bunker Hill |
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1863 |
Sgt. William H. Carney of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment becomes the first African American to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, for valor during the attack on Fort Wagner, South Carolina |
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1870 |
Robert Elliot becomes the first African American general when he takes over as commanding general for the South Carolina National Guard |
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1877 |
Henry O. Flipper is the first African American graduate from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York | |
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1940 |
Benjamin O. Davis Sr. becomes the first African American general in the U.S. Army, appointed by President Roosevelt; in 1945, he is the first African American to head an armed force in the United States when he is named commander of the forces at Godman Field, Kentucky |
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1949 |
Wesley A. Brown is the first African American to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland | |
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1971 |
Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. is appointed the first African American admiral in the U.S. Navy |
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1975 |
Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. is promoted as the first four-star general in the U.S. armed forces (Air Force) and is named commander-in-chief of the North American Air Defense Command |
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1979 |
Hazel Johnson is appointed to brigadier general in the U.S. Army, making her the first African American woman to attain the general rank |
