African American Military Heritage

Explore the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum, the first built on the Potomac River. Discover captivating exhibits on local maritime history, WWII naval presence, and the iconic lighthouse itself. Climb to the top for breathtaking views of the Potomac and its rich ecosystem. Immerse yourself in the beauty and heritage of the Chesapeake Bay watershed while uncovering the stories that shaped this remarkable area.

Obie Bryant Rice was an African American veteran of World War I, died of disease while serving in the U.S.

Alva B. Johnson WWII Navy Veteran

PFC Samuel Lee McDonald an African American soldier who served during the Vietnam War, buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

PVT Emmer Martin 9th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Battalion, Spanish American War.

Cathay Williams became the first African American woman to enlist in the U.S. Army; she posed as a man, enlisting under the pseudonym William Cathay.

PVT Nicholas Ferrell was an African American soldier who served during the Spanish American War. Nicholas is buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

Pvt. Clifford Henderson Company A, 9th Ohio Regiment.

Civil War Veteran PVT Henry Gooden

PVT Charles Parker of the 3rd United States Colored Troops (USCT).