2-832-249 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The letter is dated July 14, 1918 and addressed [My dear Oscar]. In the letter, Young offers an explanation for his refusal to write a recommendation letter for Price, writing [I did this for your good, in order that everything that comes to you may be on your own merit]. Charles Young (1864-1922) 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.