Colonel Charles D. Young

Born in Mays Lick, Kentucky, Colonel Charles Young was an African American cavalry officer who held important intelligence assignments in the early years of the 20th century. He was the third black to graduate from West Point, and the only one to endure the racial injustice of the times and still made the Army his career. Colonel Young overcame open hatred and disrespect by mastering his profession and leading by example. He did not become a leader by virtue of his commission in the U.S. Army-he earned it by working harder than any other officer and by displaying
courage and intelligence in combat. He was an accomplished linguist and, when he was not serving with one of the Black Regiments, he worked in intelligence.