Frederick C. Branch
Encyclopedia
Frederick Clinton Branch (May 31, 1922 – April 10, 2005) was the first African-American
officer of the United States Marine Corps
.
opened the Marine Corps to African Americans through an executive order (8802
) that prohibited racial discrimination by any government agency. Previously, African Americans had been barred from Marine Corps service.
Branch attended Johnson C. Smith University
in Charlotte where he became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, before transferring to Temple University
in Philadelphia where 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. He underwent training at Montford Point, North Carolina along with other African-American Marines (who became known as the "Montford Point Marines"
).
Branch applied for Officer Candidate School
, but was initially denied. While serving with a supply unit in the Pacific
, his performance earned him the recommendation of his commanding officer. He received his officer's training in the Navy V-12 program
at Purdue University
and was commissioned as second lieutenant on November 10, 1945.
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. He was discharged from active duty in 1952, returning to the Reserves, reaching the rank of captain before leaving the Marine Corps in 1955.
resolution was passed honoring Branch.
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.
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".
In 2006 Marine Corps Recruiting Command
created the Frederick C. Branch Leadership Scholarship. It is a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship for students who are currently attending or have received letters of acceptance to one of 17 historically black colleges and universities
that have NROTC programs on campus. A total of 68 scholarships are available per year. Each participating school may give two four-year scholarships, one three-year scholarship and one two-year scholarship. Graduates are commissioned as Second Lieutenant
s in the Marine Corps.
Captain Branch died 10 April 2005 and was buried on 20 April 2005 with full military honors at Quantico National Cemetery in Quantico, Virginia. His wife, Camilla, predeceased him on 11 May 1999 and was buried on 20 May 1999. Their grave location is Section 17, Grave 472.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
officer of the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
.
Marine Corps career
In June 1941, President Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
opened the Marine Corps to African Americans through an executive order (8802
Executive Order 8802
Executive Order 8802 was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 25, 1941, to prohibit racial discrimination in the national defense industry...
) that prohibited racial discrimination by any government agency. Previously, African Americans had been barred from Marine Corps service.
Branch attended Johnson C. Smith University
Johnson C. Smith University
Johnson C. Smith University is a private, co-ed, four-year liberal arts institution of higher learning located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. JCSU is also a historically black college...
in Charlotte where he became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi
Kappa Alpha Psi
Kappa Alpha Psi is a collegiate Greek-letter fraternity with a predominantly African American membership. Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington, the fraternity has never limited membership based on color, creed or national origin...
Fraternity, before transferring to Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
in Philadelphia where he received a draft notice from the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. When he reported for induction to Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
in May 1943, he was chosen to become a Marine. He underwent training at Montford Point, North Carolina along with other African-American Marines (who became known as the "Montford Point Marines"
Montford Point Marine Association
The Montford Point Marine Association is a non-profit military veteran's organization, founded to memorialize the legacy of the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps...
).
Branch applied for Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School (U.S. Marine Corps)
The United States Marine Corps Officer Candidates School is the entry-level training for Marine officers, equivalent to recruit training for enlisted Marines. Located at Marine Corps Base Quantico, the school trains, screens, and evaluates potential Marine Corps officers...
, but was initially denied. While serving with a supply unit in the Pacific
Pacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
, his performance earned him the recommendation of his commanding officer. He received his officer's training in the Navy V-12 program
V-12 Navy College Training Program
The V-12 Navy College Training Program was designed to supplement the force of commissioned officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
at Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
and was commissioned as second lieutenant on November 10, 1945.
Following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Branch left active duty for the Reserves. He was re-activated during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, serving at Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
, California in command of an antiaircraft training platoon. He was discharged from active duty in 1952, returning to the Reserves, reaching the rank of captain before leaving the Marine Corps in 1955.
Honors
In 1995, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his commissioning, a United States SenateUnited States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
resolution was passed honoring Branch.
In 1997, Branch was honored for his pioneering role in integration of the Corps — a training building in the Marine Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School (U.S. Marine Corps)
The United States Marine Corps Officer Candidates School is the entry-level training for Marine officers, equivalent to recruit training for enlisted Marines. Located at Marine Corps Base Quantico, the school trains, screens, and evaluates potential Marine Corps officers...
in Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
, Virginia is named in his honor.
On April 25, 2005, after his death, a U.S. Senate resolution 116 was sponsored by North Carolina's senators Dole
Elizabeth Dole
Mary Elizabeth Alexander Hanford "Liddy" Dole is an American politician who served in both the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush presidential administrations, as well as a United States Senator....
and Burr
Richard Burr
Richard Mauze Burr is the senior United States Senator from North Carolina and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Burr represented North Carolina's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives....
"to commemorate the life, achievements, and contributions of Frederick C. Branch".
In 2006 Marine Corps Recruiting Command
Marine Corps Recruiting Command
The Marine Corps Recruiting Command is a command of the United States Marine Corps responsible for military recruitment of civilians into the Corps...
created the Frederick C. Branch Leadership Scholarship. It is a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship for students who are currently attending or have received letters of acceptance to one of 17 historically black colleges and universities
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community....
that have NROTC programs on campus. A total of 68 scholarships are available per year. Each participating school may give two four-year scholarships, one three-year scholarship and one two-year scholarship. Graduates are commissioned as Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
s in the Marine Corps.
Captain Branch died 10 April 2005 and was buried on 20 April 2005 with full military honors at Quantico National Cemetery in Quantico, Virginia. His wife, Camilla, predeceased him on 11 May 1999 and was buried on 20 May 1999. Their grave location is Section 17, Grave 472.
See also
- Military history of African AmericansMilitary history of African AmericansThe military history of African Americans spans from the arrival of the first black slaves during the colonial history of the United States to the present day...
- List of African-American firsts
- Golden ThirteenGolden ThirteenThe Golden Thirteen were the thirteen African American enlisted men who became the first African American commissioned and warrant officers in the United States Navy.-History:...
, first African-American commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy