LOOK BACK KAPPA HISTORY
extra training would be necessary due to “lack of mental potential and the higher qualities of character essential to command and leader- ship.” This assessment was provided to delay their commission- ing since there was resistance to accepting Black officers in the units. The commission- ing was subsequently postponed to October 15, 1917. Many men were despondent and quit as they believed “the War Department never intended to com- mission colored men as officers in the Army.” Spingarn agreed and stated, “The army offi- cers want the camp to fail. The last thing they want is to help colored men become commis- sioned officers.” Brother Earl B. Dickerson was recommended for commission, but he
KA Ψ Founder 1st Lt. Elder W. Diggs and 2nd Lt. Earl B. Dickerson
THE FORT DES MOINES KA PPA ALPHA PSI ENLISTED MEMBERS ALPHA: 1st Lt. Elder W. Diggs, William H. Craighead BETA: 1st Lt. Tillman H. Harpole, 1st Lt. Benjamin H. Mosby, 1st Lt. George Dickson, 2nd Lt. Earl B. Dickerson, 2nd Lt. Earl Ryder, 2nd Lt. Victor L. Hicks, 2nd Lt. Wesley H. Jamison, John R. Pinkett, Herbert H. Harris GAMMA: 1st Lt. & Commandant John H. Simms, Jr., 1st Lt. Lafayette W. Campbell,1st Lt. Edwin J. Cobb, 1st Lt. Hal Short, 1st Lt. Herman L. Austin, 1st Lt. Seymour E. Williams, 2nd Lt. Harry Short, 2nd Lt. James O. Redmond, 2nd Lt. Maceo Richmond, 2nd Lt. Clarence W. Allen, Sgt. Everett H. Colbert, S. Joe Brown, Walter G. Madison, Blyden W. Yates, Dr. Joseph C. Tymony DELTA: 1st Lt. Lawrence Simpson, 2nd Lt. James E. Scott, Robert Cain EPSILON: Capt. & Commandant Joseph H. Scott, 1st Lt. Charles C. Bruen,1st Lt. Percy H. Steele, 1st Lt. Ellsworth Gamblee, 2nd Lt. Bush A. Hunter, Sgt. Delbert Prillerman ZETA: 1st Lt. Leonard J. Faulkner, 1st Lt. Dr. Romeo H. Johnson, 2nd Lt. John E. Buford, Sgt. Harold M. Tyler
Earl B. Dickerson’s WWI draft registration card.
fraternity membership, advising them of the training camp and encouraging them to enlist in the Army. The obvious choice to lead and train Black candidates at Fort Des Moines was Colonel Charles Young (an Ω ΨΦ 1912 initiate). He was the third Black man to graduate from West Point and the highest-ranking Black person in the military at that time. His remark- able leadership service record and ascension through the senior military ranks were viewed as a threat by the military, which did not want to provide him an opportunity to give orders to White soldiers under his command in France. Col. Young was forcibly retired under the pretext of high blood pres- sure. He visited the camp and offered guidance and inspiration to the cadets. Col. Young was posthumously pro- moted to Brigadier General in 2021. Command to the Fort Des Moines officer candidates was given to a White officer, Colonel Charles C. Ballou. On June 17, 1917, Col. Ballou gave the oath
of enlistment. There were twelve pro- visional companies at Fort Des Moines. Founder Diggs was in Company No. 9, along with 11 other Kappas. The cadets were initially scheduled to undergo three months of training (June-Sep- tember 1917). Despite the Black officer candidate’s capable performance, Col. Ballou issued a racist report to the War Department indicating that
was outraged by the insulting impli- cation that Black candidates needed more training than their White contemporaries, so he refused his com- mission and returned home to resume law school. During his 12-day absence, he was inspired by President Wilson’s war message and sought to have his resignation withdrawn. He was permitted to reinstate his commission,
SUMMER 2025 ♦ THE JOURNAL 75
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