Oscar Holmes broke three color barriers in his lifetime, although he never set out to become a pioneer. Holmes was not only the first Black air traffic controller, he was also the U.S. Navy’s first Black commissioned officer and the military branch’s first Black pilot. Holmes was born January 31, 1916 in Dunbar. W. Va. […]
Members of the 333rd Field Army Battalion were honored posthumously by the U.S. government.
Janie L. Miles made her mark on military history by becoming the first Black woman to graduate from the United States Naval Academy. Miles went on to a stellar career in business after ending her time with the U.S. Navy. Born in 1958 in Aiken, S.C., the 1976 Aiken High School graduate and honor student […]
This weekend in Houston, Texas, the army units known as the Buffalo Soldiers celebrated their 150th Anniversary. The Buffalo Soldiers, originally composed of former slaves and free men, were the first Black troops established during peacetime after the conclusion of the Civil War. On July 28,1866, the U.S. Army was reorganized for peacetime service a […]
Many may lay claim to the “Black Panthers” name, but the 761st Tank Battalion of World War II, were one of the first groups to use it. The tank unit is considered by the U.S. Army as the first Black armed tank unit to enter combat during World War II. The 761st was comprised of […]
The late Dr. John Withers was an Army lieutenant during World War II who risked his career and a chance at furthering his education after…
Lt. Gen. Nadja West has amassed several milestones in her 33-year Army career. She was sworn in last week as the first Black U.S. Army…
After a long battle to include protective hairstyles for women of color in their uniform policy, the Marine Corps Uniform Board 215 decided to make the traditional hairstyles permissible options, as long as the styles are "professional and neat in appearance."
Martha Settle Putney was one of the first Black women to join the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. After the ending of the…
Jeanine Menze, also known as Jeanine McIntosh-Menze, is the first Black woman to become a pilot for the United States Coast Guard military branch. Lieutenant…
First Army Lt. Dina Elosiebo has become the first African-American female pilot for the D.C. National Guard. She earned her wings last month after completing…
It’s an unprecedented mass ceremony at the White House that will correct decades of racial prejudice. President Barack Obama, perhaps pondering his legacy as America’s…
