Every February, we are all given a chance to reflect on the profound contributions of African Americans. Black History Month helps us all to pause and celebrate the extraordinary and often heroic achievements of individuals and groups who fought for their country, made notable contributions to medicine and science, and worked to address social injustice.
The team at IHG® Army Hotels is proud to celebrate Black History Month. We are especially proud of the contributions African Americans have made in the military. For 2025, we would like to reflect on six in particular: Henry Ossian Flipper, Doris “Dorie” Miller, the Tuskegee Airmen, Colin Powell, Hazel Johnson-Brown, and Charity Adams Earley. Please join us in remembering and celebrating their lasting achievements and courage.
Henry Ossian Flipper: First African American West Point Graduate & Officer
Born into slavery in 1856, Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African American to graduate from West Point. Henry's graduation in 1877 was an amazing achievement, especially considering the racial discrimination and isolation he experienced while attending the U.S. Military Academy. As a second lieutenant, Flipper was assigned to the 10th Calvary Regiment, the famed "Buffalo Soldiers," a name the Native Americans gave them due to their fierce fighting spirit.
Flipper was well respected for his performance in combat but was sadly discriminated against by high-ranking officers. It was alleged that he embezzled commissary funds, eventually leading to him being dishonorably dismissed in 1882. He fought to overturn this his whole life. He wrote/translated numerous books on mining, engineering, history, property law, and his personal experiences. He died in 1940. Thankfully, efforts in 1976 led to the Army changing his official status to an honorable discharge, and in 1999, President Bill Clinton issued Flipper a full pardon.
Doris "Dorie" Miller: Hero of Pearl Harbor
Heroic acts by many people were witnessed during the attack of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. One man in particular was Navy mess attendant Doris "Dorie" Miller. He was assigned to the USS West Virginia (BB-48), a dreadnought battleship of the Colorado class. When the attack began, the USS West Virginia was bombarded by Japanese planes. Although African Americans were at the time given non-combat roles, Miller jumped into defending the ship without hesitation.
He began carrying wounded men, including his commanding officer, to safety. At one point, he took control of an anti-aircraft gun and fired at the incoming planes until he ran out of ammo, shooting down several enemy aircraft. This was despite the fact that he had never been trained on the weapon. For his courage under fire, he was eventually awarded the Navy Cross by Admiral Nimitz, who personally pinned his award. It was the first time an African American had been awarded a Navy Cross.
The destroyer escort USS Miller was named after him in June 1973, and in 2020, the Navy announced plans to name a Ford class aircraft carrier after him, which should enter the service in 2032.
The Tuskegee Airmen: Breaking Barriers in the Sky
During WWII, the country was plagued by systemic racism and segregation. The military reflected society and practiced segregation as well. A special group of people would answer the country's call despite being treated as second-class citizens. They would become known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
After training was complete at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama, they became the first Black military aviators in the United States. Many people in the military, including some of the highest-ranking officers, felt the men were not capable of flying or performing well in combat. The Tuskegee Airmen proved that this was not the case. The courage and skill they displayed in combat was a direct challenge to racist views.
The group flew over 15,000 sorties during the war and earned many awards for bravery. The pilots served in many roles, including that of bomber escorts, where they earned the name "Red Tails." Their success was a critical factor in the eventual desegregation of the military when, in 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, officially ending segregation in the military.
Colin Powell: A Legacy of Leadership
When it comes to excellence in leadership, it's difficult to think of a better example than Colin Powell. He was the first African American to be selected as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1989, the first to do so as an ROTC graduate, and at only 52 years old, the youngest to have held the position.
After finishing his time in ROTC, he was commissioned into the Army and had several tours in Vietnam. He served with distinction during his tours and was awarded numerous awards, including a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Throughout his career, Powell was a great supporter of inclusion and diversity. After his military service, he became the first Black U.S. Secretary of State. His example has inspired many leaders around the world and earned him two Presidential Medals of Freedom, one with distinction, and Queen Elizabeth II made him an honorary Knight Commander of the Bath.
Hazel Johnson-Brown: A Pioneer in Military Healthcare
Hazel Johnson-Brown knew from an early age that she wanted to be a nurse. After graduating high school, she planned to attend a local school for nursing but was rejected because of her race. She eventually attended the Harlem Hospital School of Nursing, and once her training was completed, she began to work as a nurse at the Philadelphia Veterans Association. While there, she became familiar with the Army Nurse Corps and enlisted in 1955.
Johnson-Brown earned a reputation for dedication and leadership and quickly moved through the ranks. In 1979, she became the first Black woman to achieve the rank of brigadier general and to lead the Army Nurse Corps. She worked hard to ensure equal opportunities for women and minorities in the military healthcare field and paved the way for future generations of healthcare professionals.
Charity Adams Earley: Leading with Courage
Charity Adams Early distinguished herself as both a soldier and an activist in her community. After excelling in high school, she won numerous scholarships and eventually decided to attend Wilberforce University, where she majored in physics, mathematics, and Latin with a minor in history. She taught junior high school until WWII broke out.
In 1942, the United States needed to expand the capacity of the military following the attack on Pearl Harbor. One way they did this was by establishing the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC), later known as the Women's Army Corps (WAC). She was accepted into the WAAC shortly after it formed and would become the first African American woman to be an officer in the WAAC. She served with distinction and, in 1945, was promoted to lieutenant colonel, the highest rank within the WAC.
After her time in the service, she held many notable positions within her community, including the board of directors of Dayton Power and Light, the Dayton Metro Housing Authority, and the Dayton Opera Company; the board of governors of the American Red Cross; and the board of trustees of Sinclair Community College, to name just a few. Her service in and out of the military serves as an example of how one person can achieve great things, even in the face of discrimination.
These six examples are only a small fraction of the numerous African Americans whose service and courage, often in the face of injustice, inspire us all to serve. From the entire team at IHG® Army Hotels, we hope you find inspiration in these examples and take time to reflect on the enormous contributions of the African American community during this special month.
Rest Easy is the owner, design-builder, asset manager, and the exclusive developer for the Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) portfolio, the Department of Defense’s only lodging privatization program. IHG Hotels & Resorts is the hotel operator and manager of IHG Army Hotels.