Brother Caine was instrumental in setting up the Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Zeta chapters of the fraternity. Because of a disastrous fire in the Fraternity house in which he was employed, he never finished his sophomore year.īrother Caine went into the catering business in his hometown, later attended Columbia University, set up a catering business in Gary, Indiana, Peoria, Chicago and Evanston, Illinois and published a book on catering, which was copyrighted in 1919 by the Hurst Publishing Company. He enrolled at Indiana University in 1909 and helped the other Founders in organizing Kappa Alpha Nu (original name of the fraternity). (1890-1931) was born in Greencastle, Indiana, in 1890 and attended grade school and high school in Greencastle, Indiana. Diggs was instrumental in having the Indiana Constitution amended to permit Negro enlistment in the Indiana National Guard After European service with the 368th Infantry, he became a captain in the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Upon America’s entrance into World War I, Diggs resigned his principalship to enter the Nation’s first Officer’s Training Camp at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and was commissioned a lieutenant. After his death on November 8, 1947, the name of the school where he taught was changed to the Elder Diggs School in his memory. For this and other outstanding contributions to the Fraternity, he was awarded the Fraternity’s first Laurel Wreath in December, 1924.Īn educator by profession, he taught in the public schools of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was elevated to a principalship. He served as Grand Polemarch for the first six consecutive years of the Fraternity’s existence. Army as the rank of Private with the 30th Company, 154th Depot Brigade.įounder Ezra Dee Alexander served in the Army Medical Corps during WWI and as a medical examiner during WWII.įounder Guy Levis Grant also served in WWI.Ĭlick here to see a list of notable members of the fraternity who have served in high ranks in the US Military.(circa 1883-1947), born in Christian County, Kentucky, was a graduate of Indiana State Normal (now Indiana State Teachers College) and Indiana University, the birthplace of Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity. Army in World War I and served in the U.S. Army.įounder Marcus Peter Blakemore enlisted with the U.S. He was assigned to the 809th Pioneer Infantry unit of the U.S. He was an associate editor of Modern Artillerymen, the official record of Battery F.įounder Henry Tourner Asher served a year overseas in France during World War I and attained the rank of corporal. His battery enjoys the unique distinction of having been the first Battery of Negro Artillerymen ever to open fire upon an enemy in WWI. Lee subsequently served overseas as a Sergeant First Class and Gunner. The Field Artillery component was the first Negro Artillery Regiment in the history of the military. The Division organized at Fort Dix (New Jersey) in November 1917. He also received two Distinguished Service Awards, from President Truman and Eisenhower respectively.įounder John Milton Lee enlisted in the Army in 1917 and was a non-commissioned officer assigned to Battery F, 349th Field Artillery Regiment, 167th Field Artillery Brigade of the 92nd Division. He received the 2nd highest medal that is given by this country for valor. He served on the Selective Service Board during WWII and the Korean War. Army during the WWI as a Combat Medic and was cited for bravery for his actions with the Expeditionary Forces in France. Subsequent to the war, Diggs was instrumental in having the Indiana constitution amended to permit Negro enlistment in the Indiana National Guard.įounder Edward Giles Irvin served in the U.S. Diggs also was a past commander of the American Legion. After serving in Europe with the 368th Infantry, he rose to the rank of Captain in the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps. We at Watch The Yard reached out to Kevin Scott, the fraternity’s official Historian and created a list of the Kappa Alpha Psi founders who served during the “Great War.”įounder Elder Watson Diggs entered the nation’s first Negroes Officers Training Camp at Fort Des Moines, Iowa and was commissioned a First Lieutenant. Of the ten men who founded the fraternity, seven of them served in WWI as their young fraternity was growing.

Kappa alpha psi founders