Alfred Masters
American soldier (1916–1975)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alfred Masters (February 5, 1916 – June 16, 1975) was an American member of the United States Marine Corps. Masters was the first African American member of the Marine Corps at his swearing-in on June 1, 1942, in Oklahoma City and then his first training camp was Montford Point in North Carolina.[1][2][3] Masters rose to the rank of Technical Sergeant.
Alfred Masters | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 5, 1916 Palestine, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | June 16, 1975 (aged 59) Anthony, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Buried | Fort Bliss National Cemetery |
| Rank | Technical Sergeant |
| Unit | United States Marine Corps |
| Spouses | Isabell Masters (divorced), Mary Hendricks |

Masters married Isabell Masters. They had three daughters, Shirley Jean, Alfreda Dean and Cora Lavonne Masters, but the marriage ended in divorce in the 1940s.[4]
Isabell Masters went on to become an educator and five-time U.S. presidential candidate.[4] In 1994, their daughter Cora became the fourth wife of politician Marion Barry.[4]
Alfred Masters married Mary Hendricks in 1949 and they had five children, 3 girls—Mary Ann Masters, Kathryn Louise Masters and Carolyn Donata Masters Faulkner—and 2 boys—Otto Joe Masters and Alfred Dan Masters.
Alfred Masters died in Anthony, New Mexico on June 16, 1975. He is buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.