James Felder

[1] Felder received academic and football scholarships to attend Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he pursued the pre-medical track, studying biology and chemistry.

[1] Felder was drafted into the United States Army in January 1962 and deployed that summer to Arlington National Cemetery as a member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).

Promoted to sergeant, he served as a pallbearer and head of the casket detail at the funeral of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963.

[1] Leaving the army in January 1964 after his term of service ended, Felder enrolled in Howard University School of Law while working at a post office in Washington, D.C.

Both defeated white incumbents to win their elections, while Herbert Fielding concurrently won a House seat in Charleston.