First Black General in 246 Years Emerges in US Marine Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Marine Corps has produced its first Black four-star general. This comes 246 years after its founding.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to U.S. media including Fox News, the U.S. Marine Corps held a promotion ceremony for Lieutenant General Michael E. Langley to General in Washington D.C. on the 6th (local time). General Langley was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on the 1st. He will lead the U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, commanding U.S. forces stationed in Africa.

In his commemorative speech, General Langley paid tribute to Frederick Branch, the first Black Marine and the first Black Marine general, and emphasized the need for racial diversity within the military.

Founded in November 1775, the U.S. Marine Corps was long operated as a predominantly white military force. Until the mid-1940s, Black individuals were not allowed to enlist in the Marine Corps due to racial segregation policies.

General Langley also highlighted that his promotion signifies a kind of signal that the Marine Corps rewards those who strive to achieve its goals.