Photo By Staff Sgt. Caleb Vance | Brig. Gen. Christopher Walker (Courtesy Photo)... read more read more
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Black History Month is a month-long observance that Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States set aside to recognize and appreciate the triumphs and accomplishments of the African-American community over the last few, challenging centuries. Black History Month was historically only a week, but in 1976 President Gerald R. Ford expanded it into a month.
“We need to seize the opportunity to honor the too often neglected Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history,” said Ford. “ I urge my fellow citizens to join me in tribute to Black History Month and to the message of courage and perseverance it brings to all of us.”
Ever since President Ford put it into full effect, Black History Month has been a historical month. Schools, companies, states and more often observe the great African-Americans that have made an impact on them, their area and the country in general.
The state of West Virginia and the West Virginia National Guard specifically have seen many African-American men and women make meaningful and important impacts on the people surrounding them and the organizations in which they served. Breaking historical barriers and making the ultimate sacrifice for their country is something that comes up time and time again when thinking of African-American West Virginia military history.
A few names that stand out are Sgt. Cornelius Charlton, Sgt. DeForest Talbert and Brig. Gen. Christopher Walker, among many others throughout the state’s rich history of military service to the nation.
Cornelius Charlton was born in East Gulf, West Virginia and from a young age he was ambitious and set on joining the U.S. Army. He entered service at the age of 17 shortly after completing high school and persuading his parents to sign a letter of consent.
After finishing basic training in 1946 he was sent to Germany where he served his first enlistment with a military engineering battalion, and would afterwards be sent to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland with a similar unit. Then, in 1950 he went to Okinawa serving in an administrative job. This wasn't enough for Charlton, and after showing an intense desire to fight in the Korean War, he was shipped to the front lines in South Korea.
In June of 1951, shortly after arriving in South Korea, Charlton’s patriotism would be put to the test, and his actions in combat would earn him the highest award of the U.S. military, the Medal of Honor.
His platoon was moving to capture a Chinese outpost when they were attacked by infantry attacks and mortar shells. His platoon leader was killed and Charlton stepped up as the new commander of the unit. He led his company into the heavy fire and eliminated many Chinese soldiers. In the intense battle, Charlton was wounded in the chest and refused medical attention to further the push to take the outpost. Numerous accounts noted that Charlton was holding his chest wound to keep from losing blood while firing his M1 carbine with the other. Under his command the platoon overcame all odds of being outnumbered and came out victorious. Sadly, in one final action Charlton advanced alone to the top of the hill on to the Chinese mortar troop, eliminating them all but not after being wounded one last time. The last shot would eventually cause Charlton to pass away on the battlefield.
Charlton’s actions during a time of de facto segregation in the military and intense racial discrimination in our country, showcased the bravery and dedication of service to the United States that so many African-American troops faced at that time. His heroism, leadership and sacrifice are recognized throughout the Mountain State and around the world.
Another Soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice was Sgt. DeForest Talbert of the West Virginia National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 150th Armored Regiment. Talbert was a native of Alexandria, Virginia who transformed his life once during an alternative education program where he become a mentor to local children from low-income families and excelled in his scholarly and athletic endeavors. He moved to West Virginia to pursue college and joined the National Guard before being deployed to Iraq in 2003. While serving on a 12 month deployment, his Humvee was impacted by an improvised explosive device, which ultimately took his life.
Talbert left behind a girlfriend and a young son and his service left a lasting impact on his unit and the West Virginia and North Carolina National Guard. For his sacrifice, he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart.
Recently making history and breaking barriers is Brig. Gen. Christopher Walker, the first African-American to be promoted general in the West Virginia National Guard. He has seen successes in every facet of his career.
Walker started his military career in active duty after graduating from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, and afterward he spent nine years as a C-130H navigator before leaving active duty and joining the 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
There, he served as a navigator working his way up to the 167th Operations Support Squadron commander. In 2006, he left to go to Joint Base Andrews where he served as the Air National Guard Crisis Action Team Director at the Air National Guard Readiness Center (ANGRC), until departing in 2008.
He then went on to serve in the Connecticut Air National Guard as Chief, Air Mobility Division at Bradley ANGB, and as deputy commander and eventually commander of the 103rd Air and Space Operations Group. Additionally, at the ANGRC he held positions of Chief, A3 Mobility Operations division and National Guard Bureau Acting Deputy Director, Air, Space and Cyber Operations.
Walker is now serving as the Chief of Staff for the West Virginia Air National Guard. Though his journey as a leader and Airman are not finished, Walker has represented all that not only Black History Month, but the West Virginia National Guard stands for.
From being the first African-American General in the West Virginia National Guard, to laying down their life for the country they love, upon many other great successes and heartbreaking sacrifices over the past few centuries, this month specifically, as well as every month, is an important time to reflect upon on the proud legacies of African-American Soldiers and Airmen. These stories highlight just a few of the remarkable contributions of our African-American service men and women in the state and the West Virginia National Guard.
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2018 14:13 |
| Story ID: | 266678 |
| Location: | CHARLESTON, WV, US |
| Web Views: | 125 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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