February 25, 1978 Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr., the first African American to achieve the rank of general, died. James was born February 11, 1920 in Pensacola, Florida. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Tuskegee Institute in 1942.
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February 23rd in African American History – Donald Luther Lee (Haki R. Madhubuti)
February 23, 1942 Donald Luther Lee (Haki R. Madhubuti), author, poet and educator, was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. Madhubuti served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1963 and earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Iowa in 1984.
February 22nd in African American History – Lawrence Joel
February 22, 1928 Lawrence Joel, Medal of Honor recipient, was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Joel joined the United States Army in 1946 and served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
February 16th in African American History – William Maud Bryant
February 16, 1933 William Maud Bryant, Medal of Honor recipient, was born in Cochran, Georgia. By March 24, 1969, Bryant was serving as a sergeant first class in Company A of the 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces. On that day, during a battle in Long Khanh province, Republic of Vietnam, his actions earned […]
February 7th in African American History – Allen B. West
February 7, 1961 Allen B. West, the first African American Republican Congressman from Florida since Reconstruction, was born in Atlanta, Georgia. West earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 from the University of Tennessee and his Master of Arts degree in 1986 from Kansas State University, both in political science.
February 4th in African American History – Lawrence Joel
February 4, 1984 Lawrence Joel, Medal of Honor recipient, died. Joel was born February 22, 1928 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He joined the United States Army in 1946 and served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. On November 8, 1965, while serving as a medic with the rank of specialist five assigned to the 1st […]
February 3rd in African American History – Percival Prattis
February 3, 1947 Percival Prattis became the first African American news correspondent admitted to the press galleries of the United States Senate and House of Representatives. A veteran of World War I, Prattis joined the Pittsburgh Courier in 1935, became editor in 1956, and retired in 1962.