Armed Forces News

Marine Corps Gen. Michael E. Langley stands at attention during his promotion ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., August 6, 2022. Gen. Langley, who began his career in the Marine Corps as an artillery officer in 1985, is the first Black Marine to be promoted to the rank of General. (Photo by Sgt. Karis Mattingly, HQMC Communication Directorate.) "The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."

The Senate has confirmed the promotion of Gen. Michael E. Langley, making him the first Black four-star general in Marine Corps history.

“Forty-three years we go from our first African-American general to our first – I think leading to many more – four-star African-American generals,” said Gen. David Berger, the commandant, during Langley’s Aug. 6 promotion ceremony at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C.

Willie C. Langley, the general’s father, was there to witness the ceremony. His son cited him, an Air Force veteran, as his greatest mentor.

“My daddy told me to aim high, so I aimed as high as I could and found the few and the proud,” Gen. Langley said in his speech. “The milestone and what it means to the Corps is quite essential. Not because the mark in history, but what it will affect going forward, especially for those younger across society that want to aspire and look at the Marine Corps as an opportunity.”

Langley was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and raised on numerous military bases during his father’s career in uniform. The family eventually settled in Texas, where he earned a degree and commission from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1985.

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