Who was the first black Marine officer?

Frederick C. Branch holds the distinction of being the first African American to become a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps. His commissioning represented a significant milestone in the history of the Marine Corps, as it marked the integration of black officers into a historically segregated military branch. Branch was commissioned in 1945, during a time when racial barriers were prevalent in the armed forces and American society at large.

In contrast, the other individuals listed do not fit the criteria of being the first black Marine officer. Charles Young was a notable African American Army officer but not a Marine. Opha Mae Johnson was the first woman to enlist in the Marine Corps and has an important place in military history, yet she was not a black officer. Smedley Butler is well-known for his service as a Marine, but he did not have the distinction of being a black officer either. Thus, Frederick C. Branch is recognized not only for his personal achievements but also for the broader implications his commissioning had for racial integration in the military.