Scott's Official History of the American Negro in the World War

Charles Young (1864-1922)

Description:  Photograph of Charles Young (1864-1922), Wilberforce, Ohio army officer, military attaché to Haiti and Liberia, mapmaker and musician. Young was the third African American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, an officer in the 9th U.S. Cavalry, Major of the 9th Battalion, Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War, and a commander of various cavalry squadrons after the war. He held the ranks of 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and Lieutenant Colonel. On June 22, 1917, Young was retired and then promoted to full Colonel. On November 6, 1918, he was recalled to active duty with the Ohio National Guard. During his military career, Young had postings in Nebraska, Utah, Virginia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, California, Wyoming, Texas and Illinois; and saw service in Haiti, the Philippines, Liberia and Mexico.