There are many Black American Pioneers that we have come to know through stories and the many history books we read. There are also the unknowns or the pioneers who we rarely hear about . One such pioneer is Kentucky native, Colonel Charles Young. He was a pioneer for many Black Americans of his time and he helped pave the way for future black Americans in the military. He not only achieved high ranking, 9th and 10th regiments in the famous Buffalo Soldiers but was also a very well respected professor at Wilberforce University, where he taught Military Science.
Although Colonel Charles Young was praised and revered for his loyalty and dedication in the Spanish-American war he was still perceived as unqualified to fight alongside his white comrades. Because of the prejudices of that time he was denied access as a soldier in World War II and was allotted to training duties. Colonel Young was also assigned to be a spy for America against the Haitian government.
He was successful in obtaining information, however his intelligence info was stolen and given to the Haitian government. Later Young was forced into retirement due to a medical condition, hypertension. He petitioned to be reinstated in Liberia. In Liberia he became an Advisor to the Liberian Government and was promoted to Lieutenant colonel. He received the Springarn Medal of Honor which is awarded annually for outstanding achievement by the NAACP. He was not only a decorated service man but also an entrepreneur. He built roads and was the first African American superintendent of Parks.
Colonel Charles Young remained in Liberia where he died in 1922 of Kidney Infection. California Republican, Barbara Lee , has passed May 25, 2010 which promotes Colonel Charles Young to Brigadier General. Young is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Virginia.
