William Hallett Greene

William Hallett Greene or Green ( October 1864May 1942) was the first black member of the U.S. Signal Corps, the first black graduate of City College of New York, and first black meteorologist.

Family and education Greene was born in New York City as the son of Susan Bulkley and Hallett Green , recorded in the census as a mulatto coachman who owned his residence on W. 31st Street. William graduated from City College (now part of the City University of New York) at the age of 19 with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1884. The New York Times reported on his class' graduation, noting that "W.H. Greene is the first colored boy who has ever graduated from the college, and he has made a good record. The audience applauded him liberally last night." His portrait now hangs in the Trustee Lounge of the City University of New York. After Lincoln overruled Hazen's interpretation of this convention, Greene was accepted into the U.S. Signal Corps as its first African-American member. He had received a high score on the Corps' competitive entrance exam.

Greene served under conditions of duress in Pensacola, Florida, before being transferred to Rochester, New York. Frederick Douglass mentioned the plight of Greene in his speech Great Britain’s Example is High, Noble, and Grand: An Address Delivered by Frederick Douglass on August 6, 1885, stating "A recent illustration of the force of this prejudice is that of the young man refused admission to the U.S. Signal Service corps until admitted by command of Robert Lincoln, then secretary of war, and but a few days since again refused by the officer at Pensacola, after having been detailed for service from Fort Myer, and having arrived at Pensacola for the purpose of entering upon his duties."

In 1887, only a few years after he enlisted, Greene was unfairly yet dishonorably discharged from the Corps after a series of disputed claims regarding his behavior and character. He later changed his name and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana to start a new life with a new identity to escape the pain and dishonor brought to him at the hands of the military during Jim Crow.

Greene is considered to be the first black meteorologist and first black station chief in the Signal Corps.

In 2007, the New York State Assembly's Standing Committee on Veterans’ Affairs paid tribute to Greene's triumphs and challenges with a resolution, "Honoring the Life and Accomplishment of William Hallett Greene, the First Black Graduate of the City University of New York, and Member of the United States Army Signal Corps."