Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Officer Training School

Homestalgia Archive

Community memory · 1917 · Aug 7, 2026

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In 1917, Fort Des Moines became a landmark in American military history as the site of the first officer training camp for African American men during World War I. The War Department established the Provisional Army Officer Training School here. Over 1,000 African American college graduates and non-commissioned officers from across the nation arrived at the fort to undergo rigorous training. These men faced racial prejudice and skepticism from some quarters. The first class, comprising 639 captains, first lieutenants, and second lieutenants, was commissioned in October 1917. The legacy of these men from Fort Des Moines continues to be a testament to their perseverance and the fort's unique role in expanding opportunities for African Americans in the armed forces.

Source: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places / National Historic Landmark documentation for Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Officer Training School (1974)