George Gaither Forrest
First African American County Administrator in St. Mary’s County and war hero
(April 13, 1938 -April 20, 2005)
George Gaither Forrest – Growing up in a small, segregated country town of Leonardtown in St. Mary’s County, George Forrest wanted out of the “separate but equal” community after graduating from Banneker High School. In an interview with the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions Oral History Project, Mr. Forrest commented that, “Leonardtown in those days was separate, but not necessarily equal! “
In 1956, Mr. Forrest left the county to attend Morgan State College (now Morgan State University). While at Morgan State College, a HBCU, he participated in sit-ins and other political activist activities that were part of the African American revolution during that time.
After graduation, Mr. Forrest fulfilled his ROTC duties and became an Army Officer. During his 23-year military service, he commanded guards of the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, was an honor guard at the funeral of John F. Kennedy, fought in the Vietnam War, and led military personnel. One of his most memorable military experiences was as the Commanding Officer (the only African American Company Commander at the time) of the 1st Battalion, 5th Calvary Regiment, supplementing the 7th Calvary, on the third day of the Battle of La Drang, Vietnam.
In the book We Were Soldiers Once … and Young, written by Lt. Gen. Harold Moore (ret.) and Joseph L. Galloway, the authors wrote that Captain George Forrest,” ran down 600 yard gauntlet of fire, miraculously unscathed and formed a defensive perimeter with the men under his command, thereby saving most of his company.” Captain Forrest received two bronze stars for valor, three Republic of Vietnamese Crosses for gallantry, a Combat Infantry Badge Administrator, Commissioner President Thomas McKay said, “He served the county at a time when morale for county employees was very low.” He further stated that, “Many directors were considering leaving county government and George provided the inspirational leadership that really turned the organization around.”
George G. Forrest is the son of Dr. James A. Forrest the first African American president of the St. Mary’s Board of Education and for whom the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center is named.
Additional Resources
The following articles are from the Southern Maryland Online, http://somd.com/news/
- “A USA Annual Meeting and Exposition, Marriott Marquis Hotel, Washington, DC,” 10/13/21;2.
- “Forrest Forced Out of St. Mary’s County Government, says Jarboe”; January 25, 2007
Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions Oral History Project, George Gaither Forrest
Transcript from the Vietnam War Commission, Forrest_George_Captions_Transcript2.PDF (vietnamwar50th.com)
Obituary “George G Forrest County Administrator”, The Washington Post archives, George G. Forrest Count … – The Washington Post
