Frederick C. Branch
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| Frederick Clinton Branch | |
|---|---|
| May 31, 1922 - April 10, 2005 | |
 Frederick C. Branch being pinned with his second lieutenant bars by his wife, Camilla "Peggy" Branch. |
|
| Nickname | Fred |
| Place of birth | Hamlet, North Carolina |
| Place of death | Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1943-1955 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Other work | Science teacher |
Frederick Clinton Branch (May 31, 1922 – April 10, 2005) was the first African-American officer of the United States Marine Corps.
Contents |
[edit] Marine Corps career
In 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.
[edit] Honors
In 1997, Branch was honored for his pioneering role in integration of the Corps — a training building in the Marine Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia is named in his honor.[2][3]
In 1995, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his commissioning, a United States Senate resolution was passed honoring Branch.[2]On April 25, 2005, after his death, a U.S. Senate resolution 116 was sponsored by North Carolina's senators Dole and Burr "to commemorate the life, achievements, and contributions of Frederick C. Branch".[3]
[edit] See also
- Military history of African Americans
- List of African-American firsts
- Golden Thirteen, first African-American commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Officer of Senator Elizabeth Dole (April 25, 2005). Senators Dole, Burr Sponsor Resolution Honoring Frederick C. Branch: North Carolina native the first African American to be commissioned as a U.S. Marine officer. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-12-29.
- Frederick C. Branch (1922-2005). Find A Grave. Retrieved on 2006-12-29.
- Matt Schudel. "Obituary: Frederick C. Branch; Was 1st Black Officer In U.S. Marine Corps", The Washington Post, April 12, 2005, p. B06. Retrieved on 2006-12-29.
- David Danelo (June 2005). "Branching Out". Proceedings. Retrieved on 2006-12-29.
[edit] Further reading
- Bernard C. Nalty (1995). THE RIGHT TO FIGHT: African-American Marines in World War II. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2006-12-29.
