During World War I, the United States witnessed deep-rooted segregation both within the military and civilian society, posing barriers that hindered African Americans from enlisting. Despite these obstacles, approximately 380,000 African Americans valiantly served in the U.S. military during the war. One notable figure was Colonel Charles Young, the highest-ranking Black American Army officer in 1918.

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Despite his impressive leadership record, the Army denied Young's request to command troops in Europe. Determined to prove his fitness, Young embarked on a challenging horseback ride from his home in Wilberforce, OH, to D.C. But, his feat failed to sway the Secretary of War, & he was not given the opportunity to lead soldiers in Europe. Nonetheless, Col Young persisted in his fight for respect and recognition on the Homefront.

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Charles Young was born in 1864 in May's Lick, Kentucky, under the bondage of slavery to parents Gabriel and Arminta. After his father's escape in 1865, he joined the Union Army, serving in the 5th United States Colored Heavy Artillery.

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Following the war, the family relocated to Ripley, Ohio, where Charles was influenced by the town's culture of activism and self-improvement. Despite the restrictions on education for enslaved individuals in many southern states, Charles was inspired by his literate mother and grandmother to become a dedicated student.

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As a young man, Charles Young applied to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, becoming one of the first ten African Americans to be admitted. Throughout his career, he served with the segregated 9th and 10th Cavalry regiments, leading Black American troops in various places, including Cuba, Haiti, the Philippines, Mexico, Africa, and the western United States.

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Notably, he became the first African American superintendent of a National Park while patrolling Sequoia National Park in California. In addition to his military service, Young taught military science at Wilberforce University in Ohio, where he collaborated with influential Black American thinkers .

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The First World War commenced in 1914, but the United States didn't enter until April 6, 1917. Once the U.S. joined the war effort, Black Americans eagerly volunteered to serve in the military, prompting questions about who would lead the Black American troops in Europe - men of color or white leaders?

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Colonel Young, aged 53, held the highest rank among Black American military officers in the country at that time. He and his supporters firmly believed that he should lead these soldiers. However, the Army officials disagreed and promoted Charles Young to the rank of Colonel in June 1917 but declared him physically unfit to command troops in World War I.

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Refusing to accept this decision, Colonel Young insisted it was his duty to lead troops in France. He formally objected and provided documents to prove his physical fitness. Despite trying to appeal to senior government officials from his home in Ohio, he couldn't sway their decision.

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After a year of battling his case, Colonel Young embarked on a challenging 16-day horseback ride from Wilberforce to Washington D.C. in June 1918, covering 497 miles, equivalent to almost eight hours of driving by today's standards. Though exhausted upon his arrival, he was still in good health.

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