Charles Blatcher III

 Profile of the Founder/Chairman

The think tank is the brainchild of Charles Blatcher, III. He is the founder/chairmen of the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations, founder of the National Minority Military Museum Foundation and publisher of Golden Buffalo Publications. Charles was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1947 and raised in Rockford, Illinois. He is the eighth of eleven siblings where himself, father and two of his three brothers served in the United States Armed Forces. Charles has been an advocate for Black and minority veterans for over a half century following his four-years tour of duty in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1969 as a decorated Vietnam veteran. In 1974, he joined with fellow veterans Broaddus Parker, Pierson Herring, and William Lewis in establishing the Oakland Black Veterans Association (BVA). The mission of the association was to aid veterans seeking educational and disability benefits through the Veterans Administration. In addition, the association lobbied the local, state, and federal governments to address the disparities in employment and training opportunities for Black veterans returning to civilian life. Meeting Black veterans from World War I, World War II, Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict hearing their stories, resulted in a refocus of his interest to the role of Black people and other minorities in the defense of the nation.

In 1978, Charles made the acquaintance of retired sergeant Samuel Waller, the last surviving Black veteran of the Spanish American War in California. Sergeant Waller introduced him to the legacy of then Colonel Charles Young, the third Black graduate of West Point Military Academy and highest-ranking Black soldier in World War 1. Charles recalls the then one-hundred-year-old Waller telling him, “please don’t let them write us out of History.”  On February 28^th of that year, joined by William Lewis, Addine Moss and Theresa Harris, the group chaptered the National Minority Military Museum Foundation. Charles took on the role as the principal chairman/advocate and researcher for the then newly formed association. On May 1st, Charles, William Lewis, Henry Bailey, Dylan Wright Blatcher, JL Sowers and Jerome Harris embarked on a 500 plus -mile journey from Oakland, California to Sacramento via Los Angeles, in the thirty-day walk known as the “March for Recognition,” with the blessing of Sergeant Waller. The walk concluded at the California State Capitol Building on May 31, where they were met by members of then Governor Edmund Brown, Jr’s, administration in recognition of the March.

Charles’ passion led him to research the archives of national museums on both the American and European continents. His research has taken him to the Imperial War Museum, London, England, the Museum of the Army, Paris, France, and the National Archives, in Washington, DC. His research has given him deeper insights to the contributions Black and minority service members have made to this country during the times of peace and war. Charles has also been an Advisor for documentaries produced by the United States Army, Morgan Freeman, and the United Kingdom 20/20 program. He is a writer and poet who has published newspaper articles and produced historical publications under Golden Buffalo Publications. He has served as the executive producer of video documentaries aimed at promoting then Colonel Charles Young to the rank of Brigadier General. He served as a history consultant, on documentaries highlighting the contributions of Black American military members.

In 1980, Charles led the effort to organize the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations. Two dozen organizations joined in a unity of purpose in the preservation of Black Military History. Under the coalition they have succeeded in getting then Colonel Charles Young posthumously promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Army. His birth cabin in Mays Lick, Kentucky, has been restored. An honorary doctorate degree was obtained for him from Wilberforce University. Successful efforts were led to having him inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame. A 170-mile corridor in Kentucky and Ohio was named after the Buffalo Soldier by legislation. The corridor represents the longest region in the nation named to honor a Black Veteran.

 Throughout his advocacy, Charles has spoken at the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and service organization reunions about the contributions of Black service members. He met and consulted with numerous pioneering Black Flag Officers from various branches of the Armed Forces, including the late Admiral(s) Samuel L. Gravely, Lawrence Chambers, and Robert Toney, USN, Lieutenant General(s) Arthur J. Gregg and William K. Ward, Brigadier General Hazel W. Johnson, USA, and General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. USAF.

Charles is the recipient of the following military honors: National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, 2nd Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Medal with Four Bronze Stars and Loyalty Citation United States Navy. Civilian honors include the following: George Washington Medal of Excellence from the Freedom Foundation At Valley Forge, the Julius E. Williams Distinguished Community Service Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Congressional Black Caucus Outstanding Service to the Community Award, Citation of Commemoration from the Commonwealth of Kentucky House of Representatives and was inducted into the International Educators’ Hall of Fame. In 2025 Charles was awarded the honorary rank of Kentucky Colonel by Governer Andy Beshear. The governments of France, Haiti, and Liberia have acknowledged the effort of the coalition under his leadership.

The Veterans 1 For All think tank is an extension of his advocacy on behalf of Black and other minority service personnel. He welcome you to follow the site as it invites scholars, historians, and advocates to address subjects of historical and contemporary concerns. ###