US Territorial Governor. King joined the US Army in World War II, completed training at Camp Plauchen, Louisiana and declined officer candidate school so he could serve with his unit in the Pacific Theater. In 1947 he began attending American University, and in 1949 he accepted a position in Hubert Humphrey's office, becoming the first African-American to work on a US Senator's staff. He received a bachelor's degree in public administration from American University in 1951. In 1957 the Virgin Islands legislature named him as its Washington, DC agent to lobby for passage of the Organic Act, which would grant self-government to the Virgin Islands. In 1961 President Kennedy appointed him Secretary of the US Virgin Islands. In 1969 he served as acting Governor. He was a candidate for Governor in 1970, the first time the post was subject to election after passage of the Organic Act, and lost to Melvin Evans. In 1972 he was elected to the Virgin Islands Senate, where he served until his election as Governor. In 1974 he was elected Governor, succeeding Evans, and served until his death. The airport on St. Thomas is named in his honor.
US Territorial Governor. King joined the US Army in World War II, completed training at Camp Plauchen, Louisiana and declined officer candidate school so he could serve with his unit in the Pacific Theater. In 1947 he began attending American University, and in 1949 he accepted a position in Hubert Humphrey's office, becoming the first African-American to work on a US Senator's staff. He received a bachelor's degree in public administration from American University in 1951. In 1957 the Virgin Islands legislature named him as its Washington, DC agent to lobby for passage of the Organic Act, which would grant self-government to the Virgin Islands. In 1961 President Kennedy appointed him Secretary of the US Virgin Islands. In 1969 he served as acting Governor. He was a candidate for Governor in 1970, the first time the post was subject to election after passage of the Organic Act, and lost to Melvin Evans. In 1972 he was elected to the Virgin Islands Senate, where he served until his election as Governor. In 1974 he was elected Governor, succeeding Evans, and served until his death. The airport on St. Thomas is named in his honor.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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