This is the first book dedicated exclusively to the study of the African-American general officer. This reference work includes an essay on the black commander tradition and an historical survey of black Americans in the U.S. military.

Acknowledgements-To My Reader-Introduction/Vice Admiral Samuel Lee Gravely, Jr.-Diagrams, Battle of Cannae-Photo Illustrations-Prologue: The Black Commander Tradition -- The Hour is at Hand -- A Curious Bit of History --The Advance Guard -- Black United States Army General Officers -- Black United States Naval Admirals -- Black United States Air Force General Officers -- Selected Bibliography -- About the Author -- Index.