I 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5308 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 13, 2010 Ms. Lee of California (for herself, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Meeks of New York, Mr. Conyers, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Ms. Richardson, Mrs. Christensen, Ms. Kilpatrick of Michigan, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Towns, and Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To provide for the posthumous promotion of Charles Young to the grade of brigadier general in the United States Army.

1.

Findings

Congress finds that–— (1)Charles Young graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1889 and received a commission as a second lieutenant, becoming the third African-American cadet to do so; (2)in recognition of his actions in leading a squadron of the 10th Cavalry during Pershing’s expedition into Mexico, Charles Young was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1917, the first African-American to reach this rank; (3)at the beginning of the First World War, Charles Young was the highest ranking African-American serving in the United States Army; (4)shortly after the United States entrance into the First World War, Charles Young was medically furloughed as unfit for duty and forced to retire under protest at the rank of colonel; (5)after riding 500 miles on horseback to demonstrate his fitness in June 1918, Charles Young was reinstated and assigned as military attaché to Liberia; (6)among his billets, Charles Young served as Acting Superintendent of Sequoia National Park in California and as commander of Fort Huachuca, Arizona; and (7)despite his outstanding service record and dedication to his country, Charles Young was denied the opportunity to receive a promotion through combat command during the First World War solely because of his race.

2.

Posthumous promotion of Charles young

The President may issue a posthumous commission of brigadier general to Colonel Charles Young, United States Army.

3.

Prohibition of benefits

No person is entitled to any bonus, gratuity, pay, or allowance because of the provisions of section 2.