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Cabinet Card Photo of Black Cadet Charles Young Cabinet Card Photo of Black Cadet Charles Young

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Cultures & Ethnicities Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 700.00 USD
Cabinet Card Photo of Black Cadet Charles Young Cabinet Card Photo of Black Cadet Charles Young
<B>Cabinet Card Photo of Black Cadet Charles Young</B></I> who was only the third black man to ever graduate from West Point, in 1889. Young was born to former slaves in Maysville, Kentucky, in 1864. His parents later moved to Ripley, Ohio, where he attended an all-white high school, graduating with honors at age 16. He then taught at the local all-black high school where he came across an opportunity to compete for an appointment to West Point. Smith succeeded, graduated with his commission, and was assigned to the Buffalo Soldiers in the 10th Cavalry in Nebraska. Young then taught military science at Wilberforce University and served in the Spanish American War as major in command of the 9th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His exceptional military career was highlighted by appointments to serve as military attache to Haiti and Liberia. Young was assigned to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border during the Mexican Revolution. He was also superintendent of Sequoia and General Grant National Parks. <BR><BR>At the beginning of World War I, Young was the highest-ranking African American in the army at lieutenant colonel. The army was not willing to have a black officer take a leading role in the war so he mysteriously "failed" his physical exam and was retired, under protest. To prove his fitness for duty, Smith rode horseback from his home in Xenia, Ohio, to Washington, D.C. (500+ miles). He was reinstated and promoted to full colonel, but was assigned to duty at Camp Grant, Illinois. By the time his reinstatement and promotion were in effect, the war was near its end. He was later re-assigned to Liberia as military attache where he died while on a research expedition in 1922. This is a wonderful cabinet card photo from the Pach Bro's studio in New York. It shows the young cadet proudly posed in his uniform and is in excellent condition save for very light toning along the left side. An awesome image of this American hero.