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!"

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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.

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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.

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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, a Parachute Badge, and a Silver Star for heroism.

 

Before relocating back to the county in the late 1990’s, Mr. Forrest was a football coach at Morgan State University and held several high-level personnel posts. Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Forrest has held many positions in St. Mary’s County including Director of Students at St. Mary’s Ryken High School and Principal of the St. Mary’s County Technical Center. He also served on the boards of directors for St. Mary’s Hospital, Tomorrow’s Child, the Historic Sotterley Foundation, and the Governor’s Southern Maryland Higher Education Center. In the early 2000’s, Mr. Forrest was the first African American to hold the position of county administrator for St. Mary’s County, the highest paid, non-elected post in the county. Reflecting on his  time serving as the County Administrator, Commissioner President Thomas McKay said, “He served the county at a time when morale for county employees was very low. Many directors were considering leaving county government and George provided the inspirational leadership that really turned the organization around.”

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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.

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Mr. Forrest was interviewed by Carol Locke Endy on June 6, 2003 in his office at the Governmental Center in Leonardtown, Maryland. 

Resources:

• George G. Forrest Collection, Library of Congress, [page contains information about Forrest and two video interviews that can be downloaded: Interview by Joe Galloway with George G. Forrest 23 September 2015, and Interview by Mark Franklin with George G. Forrest 13 October 2021 -- both of these interviews are also published on the two websites below...the Galloway video interview and a transcript of the Mark Franklin interview] (accessed August 21, 20250

• GEORGE FORREST | 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (Vietnam War), YouTube  - Witness To War Foundation - video interview with Joe Galloway [www.weweresoldiers.net] In Conjunction with the United States Army, Veteran War Commemoration, Department of Defense, 30' 45" [accessed August 21, 2025]

• Forrest, George - Army; Vietnam War Commemoration [https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/history_and_legacy/oral_history/forrest,-george/] An oral history essay on George Forrest, ©2025 All rights reserved. [accessed August 21, 2025] Link to full transcript [accessed August 21, 2025]