Charles Young

American army colonel

Charles Young (March 12, 1864 – January 8, 1922) was an American soldier.He was the third African-American graduate of the United States Military Academy, the first black U.S. national park superintendent, first black military attaché, first black man to achieve the rank of colonel in the United States Army, and highest-ranking black officer in the regular army until his death in 1922.

In 2022, in recognition of his exemplary service and the barriers he faced due to racism, he was posthumously promoted to Brigadier General, and a promotion ceremony was held in his honor at the U.S.

Military Academy at West Point.