Frederick Clinton Branch (May 31, 1922 – April 10, 2005) was the first African-American officer of the United States Marine Corps.
HistoryIn June 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt opened the Marine Corps to African Americans through an executive order (8802) that prohibited racial discrimination by any government agency.[1] Previously, African Americans had been barred from Marine Corps service. While Branch was attending Temple University, he received a draft notice from the Army. When he reported for induction to Fort Bragg, North Carolina in May 1943, he was chosen to become a Marine.[1] He underwent training in Montford Point, North Carolina along with other African-American Marines (who became known as "Montford Point Marines" ).
Branch applied for Officer Candidate School, but was initially denied. While serving with a supply unit in the Pacific, his conduct earned him the recommendation of his commanding officer. He received his officer's training in the Navy V-12 program at Purdue University[2] and was commissioned as second lieutenant on November 10, 1945, becoming the first African-American officer in Marine Corps history.
Following World War II, Branch left active duty for the Reserves. He was re-activated during the Korean War, serving at Camp Pendleton, California in command of an antiaircraft training platoon.[1] He was discharged from active duty in 1952, returning to the Reserves, reaching the rank of captain before leaving the Marine Corps in 1955.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_C._Branch