Beshear posthumously promotes Charles Young during Black History Month celebration
Gov. Andy Beshear Tuesday posthumously promoted Colonel Charles Young, who was born into slavery and became the highest ranking black officer in the U.S. Army at the time of his death in 1922, to the honorary rank of brigadier general in Kentucky.
Young, who was the first black man to become a colonel in the U.S. Army and was the first black superintendent of a National Park, was born in Mays Lick in 1864. He was the third black graduate of the United States Military Academy and led cavalry regiments of Buffalo Soldiers in Nebraska and Utah. To protest his medical retirement in 1917, Young rode 500 miles on horseback at the age of 54 to show his toughness and fitness.
“He fought for this country and he fought for the civil rights of all African Americans in the military at a time when military leaders and members of Congress were pushing men of color out of combat roles,” Beshear said. “This promotion is long overdue.”
The promotion was featured in the Kentucky black legislative caucus’ annual Black History Month Celebration in the Capitol Rotunda.
Sen. Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, who became the longest serving black member of the General Assembly this year, said Black History Month is a time to celebrate and a time to honor those who sacrificed for future generations.
“We all know that racism in its many forms is alive and well today,” Neal said. “The struggle continues. Once again, now is a time to look forward. A time to rededicate our commitment to make this a more perfect union where all are respected, achieve at their highest potential, living up to this nations creed.”
This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 2:58 PM.
