11/07/2025
He entered West Point with a dream — but quickly discovered that courage would be tested long before the battlefield.
In his first year at the U.S. Military Academy, Charles Young received 144 demerits — enough to end the career of most cadets. Some were fair. Many were not. He was marked for things like “humming on post,” “drawing in windows,” and “not depressing toes during formation.” Behind those small accusations was a much larger truth: prejudice.
From July 21 to July 31, 1884, he was written up on seven of eleven days. It wasn’t just about rules — it was about breaking a man’s spirit.
But Charles refused to break.
He studied harder. Stood taller. Endured with quiet dignity.
In 1889, he made history as the *third African American* to graduate from West Point — a symbol of strength forged through unfair trials. He went on to become a respected Army officer, educator, and diplomat, proving that true character shines brightest under pressure.
His story is more than military history — it’s a lesson in perseverance. Every demerit he earned became a mark of resilience. Every obstacle became proof that no amount of bias could stop brilliance.
*Because sometimes, the hardest battles are the ones fought in silence.*