First Black Military Officer that was Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor

Captain Riley L. Pitts was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ap Dong, Vietnam

The Congressional Medal of Honor has been awarded to only 3,515 recipients since its inception during the American Civil War when 1,523 Medals of Honor were presented. Of the Medals of Honor presented during the civil war only 26 went to Black Americans serving in the Army and Navy. However, it would not be until the Vietnam War, many years later that America would see the presentation of the Nation’s highest award for valor go to its first black military officer.

To understand the circumstances surrounding the Award of the Medal of Honor to Captain Riley L. Pitts, one must first know of the actions of two incredible and superhuman Americans, Captain Riley L. Pitts and 1st Lieutenant Rupert L. Sargent.

Ruppert Leon Sargent enlisted in the United States Army after graduating from Virginia State around 1959. After serving for a number of years, Sargent attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. 1st Lieutenant Sargent was sent to Vietnam in 1966 and on March 15th of 1967, 1st Lieutenant Sargent was serving in Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment in the 25th Infantry Division when during an attempt to destroy an enemy tunnel, he flushed out an enemy soldier who tossed to grenades at him and his men. 1st Lieutenant Sargent fired three bullets at the man then turned and flung himself on the grenades before they detonated, saving the lives of his Platoon Sergeant and his Forward Observer. General Donley Bolton presented 1st Lieutenant Sargent’s Medal of Honor at home of 1st Lieutenant Sargent’s widow on March 10th, 1969.

Riley Leroy Pitts attended Wichita State University and graduated in 1960 with a degree in Journalism. He joined the Army and was commissioned as an Army Officer. Pitts served in Germany and Vietnam as an Information Officer before being sent to take command of Company C, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. On October 31st 1967, his unit was called upon to reinforce another company heavily engaged against a strong enemy force. Captain Pitts led an assault which overran the enemy positions personally killing at least one more Viet Cong. Displaying complete disregard for his personal safety, he maintained continuous fire, pinpointing the enemy's fortified positions, while at the same time directing and urging his men forward, until he was mortally wounded. President Lyndon B. Johnson presented Captain Pitts’ Medal of Honor to the Ms. Eula Pitts on December 10th, 1968.

The Vietnam War was a chaotic time and 1967 saw some fierce fighting both overseas and at home. America saw Dr. Martin Luther King deliver the “Beyond Vietnam” speech on April 4th, 1967 and the summer of 1967 saw over 150 communities burned in what became known as the “Long, Hot Summer of 1967”. It was rumored that Department of Defense was looking to award and present the Medal of Honor to 1st Lieutenant Sargent as soon as it was possible, but his widow being a deeply devout and reserved woman, was unwilling to travel to Washington D.C. Just before Christmas in 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented the Medal of Honor to Ms. Eula Pitts, the widow of Captain Pitts, marking the first time in U.S. history that a black military officer had been awarded the Medal of Honor. In very private event in her home, the widow of 1st Lieutenant Ruppert L. Sargent would be presented 1st Lieutenant Sargent’s Medal of Honor on March 10th, 1969.