Alfred Masters

Alfred Masters (February 5, 1916 - June 16, 1975)was an African-American member of the United States Marine Corps. Masters became the very first African American in the United States Marines at his swearing-in on June 1, 1942, at 12:01am in Oklahoma City and then his first training camp wasMontford Point in North Carolina. Masters rose to the rank of Technical Sergeant.

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.

Isabell Masters went on to become an educator and five-time U.S. presidential candidate. In 1994, their daughter Cora became the fourth wife of politician Marion Barry.

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.