With the United States about to enter World War I , Young stood a good chance of being promoted to brigadier general . However , there was widespread resistance among white officers , especially those from the segregated South , who did not want to be outranked by an African American . A lieutenant who served under Young complained to the War Department , and Secretary of War Newton Baker replied that he should " either do his duty or resign . " John Sharp Williams , senator from Mississippi , complained on the lieutenant 's behalf to President Woodrow Wilson . The President overruled Baker 's decision and had the lieutenant transferred . ( In 1913 , Southern-born Wilson had segregated federal offices and established discrimination in other ways . ) Other white officers in the 10th Cavalry became encouraged to apply for transfers as well
discrimination
Institutional racism
Charles Young (United States Army)