Charles
Young was born March 12, 1864, in Mayslick, Kentucky, the son of former slaves.
His father enlisted as a private in the Fifth Regiment of the Colored Artillery
(Heavy) Volunteers. When Young's parents moved across the river to Ripley, Ohio,
he attended the white high school. He graduated at the age of 16 and was the first
black to graduate with honors. Following graduation, he taught school in the black
high school of Ripley.
While engaged
in teaching, he had an opportunity to enter a competitive examination for appointment
as a cadet at West Point. Young was successful, making the second highest score,
and in 1883 reported to the military academy. Young graduated with his commission,
the third black man to do so at that time. He was assigned to the Tenth and the
Seventh Cavalry where he was promoted to first lieutenant. His subsequent service
of 28 years was with black troops — the Twenty-fifth U.S. Infantry and the
Ninth U.S. Cavalry.
In 1903 Young served
as captain of a black company at the Presidio, San Francisco. He was appointed
acting superintendent of Sequoia and General Grant national parks, thus becoming
the first black superintendent of a national park. He was responsible for the
supervision of payroll accounts and directed the activities of rangers. Young's
greatest impact on the park was road construction that helped to improve the underdeveloped
park.
Due to his work ethic and perseverance,
Young and his troops accomplished more that summer than the three military officers
who had been assigned the previous three years. Captain Young and his troops completed
a wagon road to the Giant Forest, home of the world's largest trees, and a road
to the base of the famous Moro Rock. By mid-August, wagons of visitors were entering
the mountaintop forest for the first time.
Young
was transferred on November 2, 1903, and reassigned as troop commander at the
Presidio. In his report to the secretary of the interior, he recommended the government
acquire patented lands in the park. This recommendation was mentioned in legislation
introduced in the House of Representatives. The Visalia, California, Board of
Trade showed appreciation of his performance as the park's acting superintendent
by presenting him with a citation.
On
other military assignments, Young continued to persevere in a world of obstacles
in his path. He attained the rank of lieutenant colonel, the first black to do
so in the U.S. Army. He died in 1922, while detailed in Nigeria. Colonel Young
was given a hero's burial in Arlington National Cemetery.
In
both military and civilian activities, Young demonstrated qualities of character
during a time when prejudice was a way of life. As mentioned in the 53rd Annual
Report of the Association of West Point Graduates, ". . . in all his relations
with society, both as a citizen and soldier, his constructive influence with his
people was ever a potent factor along the troublous highway of enlightened progress."
He
died on January 8, 1922 and his funeral was one of only a handful in history to
be held at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery. He is buried
in Section 3 of the cemetery.
Today, Colonel
Charles Young's home is scheduled to become the future site of the National Museum
of African American Military History. Its unique history relives the days when
it was a way station for the Underground Railroad.
Wow.
Check
this out ....
As you can see
(picture below), Los Banos was an official part of Captain Young's history. We
don't know much about then; however we do know that today we're honored to be
even a small a part of this distinguished American's past. We are delighted to
honor him today for his efforts and vast accomplishments.
