On November 7, 1916, Colonel Charles Young was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP for his outstanding military service and leadership in Liberia.

Who Was Colonel Charles Young?

• First African American Colonel in the U.S. Army.
• Served as a Buffalo Soldier and was the third Black graduate of West Point (1889).
• In 1912, he was sent to Liberia as a military attaché, where he helped organize and train the Liberian Frontier Force, establishing security in the region.
• Recognized as a brilliant leader and mentor to many Black officers.

The Spingarn Medal, established in 1914, is awarded annually by the NAACP to African Americans for distinguished achievements.

Colonel Young’s legacy remains significant in Black military history. He was posthumously promoted to Brigadier General in 2021, honoring his lifelong contributions to the U.S. Army and civil rights.