My Brothers in Omega:
Today, one of Omega’s most historic examples of Manhood and Perseverance was posthumously promoted from the rank of Colonel to that of Brigadier General, Brother Charles Young. General Young, was the third Black graduate of West Point and served as a Buffalo Soldier from 1889 until 1907. While deserving of the promotion to general during his lifetime, the racial sentiment of the day forced a premature medical retirement out of fear of a Black officer leading white troops during World War I.
The promotion of General Young comes after several years of meticulous research and advocacy of Omega men. My conversations with Army leadership regarding General Young’s promotion began in 2020, carrying over through three-consecutive Secretaries and have culminated with ratification of our request today by Secretary of the Army, Hon. Christine Wormuth. I thank all of the brothers throughout the fraternity who advocated for promotion of then Colonel Young in their local areas as well as Omega’s Congressional delegation, including House Majority Whip, Rep. James Clyburn, Rep. Hank Johnson and Rep. Kweisi Mfume, who each lent considerable support to Omega’s request to honor our Brother from Capitol Hill. Lastly, I thank the Omega men of the United States Army, particularly, Chief Warrant Officer Jacques Nixon (Beta Chi, 13), Assistant Executive Officer to Secretary Wormuth, and Lieutenant General Scottie Dingle (Pi, 85), the Surgeon General of the Army, who quietly navigated Omega’s request through the Army’s hierarchy to completion.
After a date is set this spring, I will join Secretary Wormuth and the family of General Young for a formal promotion ceremony. Please continue to monitor Omega’s social media accounts for details of this event and other ways to honor General Young in the near future.
Sincerely,
David E. Marion, Ph.D.
41st Grand Basileus
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
