Kentucky Negro Officers Commissioned at Fort Des Moines, Iowa

In 1917, the Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Officer Training School became the first training camp established exclusively for Negro officers, most of whom had been civilians but also included members of the National Guard and U.S. Army, such as 1st Lieutenant Charles D. Young from Mayslick, KY.

The roster of officers is available in History of the American Negro in the Great World War, by W. A. Sweeney. Civilians from Kentucky who were commissioned officers were Harrison W. Black, Lexington; Charles C. Bruen, Mayslick; Lucian P. Garrett, Louisville; Jesse J. Green, Georgetown; Charles M. Hayes, Hopkinsville; Bush A. Hunter, Lexington; Maxey A. Jackson, Marian [Marion]; John W. Rowe, Danville; and [Abraham] Abram L. Simpson, Louisville.