Frederick Clinton Branch (May 31, 1922 April 10, 2005) was the
first African-American officer of the United States Marine
Corps.
History
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.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_C._Branch