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Roscoe Cartwright

1919 – 1974

United States Army general

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About Roscoe Cartwright

Lived 1919 – 1974 (aged 54–55). Roscoe Cartwright was an American military personnel and military officer.

Roscoe Conklin "Rock" Cartwright (May 27, 1919 – December 1, 1974) was the United States' second-ever African American U.S. Army brigadier general, third-ever black American U.S. general officer, and the first black field artilleryman promoted to brigadier general.

Early life, education and personal life Cartwright was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on May 27, 1919. Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Cartwright graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1936.

While temporarily stationed at Camp Robinson near Little Rock, Arkansas, Cartwright married Gloria Lacefied Cartwright, a native of Hope, Arkansas. They had four children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Military career

In 1941, the U.S. Army drafted Cartwright into the US Army as an enlisted man. Cartwright's flight was the worst air disaster of 1974. Cartwright and Gloria were returning from visiting their daughter for Thanksgiving. Cartwright co-founded on October 9, 1974 The Rocks, Inc., the largest professional military officers organization with a majority African-American membership. The organization has been essential in the development of black military officers including member Colin Powell, as discussed in his autobiography.

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Important facts

Born
1919, Kansas City
Birth century
Died
1974, Upperville
Nationality
Education
Emporia State University
Awards
Bronze Star Medal; Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
Also known as
Roscoe C. Cartwright, Roscoe Conklin Cartwright, Brig. Gen. Roscoe Cartwright, Sr., Roscoe Rock Cartwright

People in Roscoe Cartwright's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Roscoe Cartwright's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Roscoe Cartwright?

United States Army general

When was Roscoe Cartwright born?

Roscoe Cartwright was born in 1919 in Kansas City.

When did Roscoe Cartwright die?

Roscoe Cartwright died in 1974 in Upperville.

What was Roscoe Cartwright's occupation?

Roscoe Cartwright was a military personnel and military officer.

What nationality was Roscoe Cartwright?

Roscoe Cartwright was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Roscoe Cartwright

· Wikidata: Q98930815

· DBpedia: Roscoe Cartwright

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Roscoe Cartwright. https://biography.guide/roscoe-cartwright/

MLA: "Roscoe Cartwright." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/roscoe-cartwright/.

Chicago: "Roscoe Cartwright." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/roscoe-cartwright/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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