General Michael Langley becomes the first black four-star general in the Marine Corps > United States Marine Corps Flagship > News Display
Tori J. Ross
2 min read
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael E. Langley was promoted to the rank of general on Aug. 6, 2022, during a ceremony at Marine Corps Barracks in Washington.
Marine Corps Commandant General David Berger promoted Langley, who became the first Black Marine to be promoted to general.
“43 years, we go from our first African-American general to now our first – I think this leads to many more – four-star African-American generals,” Berger said, paying tribute to Lt. Gen. Frank E. Peterson .
Langley was joined by friends and family at the ceremony, including his father Willie C. Langley, who is a proud Air Force veteran. General Langley repeatedly spoke of his father as his greatest mentor.
“My dad told me to aim high, so I aimed as high as I could and found the few and the proud,” General Langley said, a comment that drew laughter from the crowd, including most were Marines.
Langley was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and grew up on various military bases as a child before settling in Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1985. Langley served in the Marine Corps for 37 years and saw his promotion as a sign to others that Marine Corps service rewards those who work hard to achieve their goals. .
“The milestone and what it means for the Corps is absolutely essential. Not because the mark in history, but what it will affect in the future, especially for the young people in society who want aspire to and see the Marine Corps as an opportunity,” said General Langley.
Photos and videos of the ceremony can be viewed at the links here:
