The Remarkable History of African Americans Serving in the Armed Forces. (WWII, war)
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The history of African Americans is remarkable for so many reasons, having served in every war fought by the United States from the Revolution to the present conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, African Americans have served with distinction despite being denied the very rights that they fought in the name of. The intelligence, and bravery always questioned despite a valiant and at time glorious history of duty and service to the the country. Remarkable because it was ultimately the very military that historically had rendered them to second and sometimes third class status would be the most important instrument in securing the rights and respect of its African American members.
Good points. We can celebrate the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, the Buffalo Soldiers, and other African American military units.
And today, the US military is one of the few institutions where it is commonplace to have black people bossing around whites (as NCOs and commissioned officers).
"The contempt we have been taught to entertain for the blacks, makes us fancy many things that are founded neither in reason nor experience; and an unwillingness to part with property of so valuable a kind will furnish a thousand arguments to show the impracticability or pernicious tendency of a scheme which requires such a sacrifice. But it should be considered, that if we do not make use of them in this way, the enemy probably will; and that the best way to counteract the temptations they will hold out will be to offer them ourselves. An essential part of the plan is to give them their freedom with their muskets. This will secure their fidelity, animate their courage, and I believe will have a good influence upon those who remain, by opening a door to their emancipation. This circumstance, I confess, has no small weight in inducing me to wish the success of the project; for the dictates of humanity and true policy equally interest me in favour of this unfortunate class of men."
Alexander Hamilton, March 4, 1779
Throughout the Revolution some 5,000 African Americans fought in the Continental Army and Navy, excluding those who fought bravely at Bunker and Breeds Hill in the opening days of the Revolution. The sentiments expressed by Hamilton would reoccur until late into the Second World War when African American men and women flocked to recruiting stations to fight for freedom that they themselves could not experience in the very country that they fought for.
From the Civil War through to WWII fifty African Americans were awarded the Medal of Honor yet during WWII their bravery and fighting ability was still questioned despite their proven achievements in four major conflicts. Men and women who signed up to fight despite the fact that the very real fear of being lynched at home still existed. Even more ironically, in many southern states, German POW's were afforded greater freedom than the soldiers who guarded them.
Just thought I would share, a friend was working on a series of paintings commemorating African American service in the military shortly before he passed away:
What a talented friend you had GER308. These pictures are like a Memorial to him.
At least more people now know about the contribution that African Americans made to the US Armed Forces. The Tuskagee Airman is a great movie.
Casper Andrews was really talented then he started sharing a studio with another very talented painter and really took it up a notch. Check out his work on his tribute page on FB
A remarkable moment when racism came back to smack the U.S. Army in the face.
In July of 1864 during the siege of Petersburg a plan was devised to dig a 511 foot tunnel under the rebel fortifications. At the end of the shaft 320 kegs of gunpowder were laid and set to explode creating a gap in which Union forces would be able to assault to roll up the flanks in detail.
The original plan was for the a division of the United States Colored Troops to lead the assault under the command of Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero but after intensive training for the assault commanding general of the Army of the Potomac Maj. Gen George Meade lost confidence in the plan and at the last minute assigned the all white 1st Division to lead the assault. Unfortunately, the 1st Division had not been trained for the assault as had been the Colored troops and when the charges were blown, and the gap created instead of assaulting around the edge of the crater, the assaulting force rushed headlong into it where they were cut down mercilessly by the regrouping rebel forces who had regained the higher ground.
Some argue that Mead, lacking confidence in the plan, feared that if it failed the resultant loss of African American troops would have been a public relations disaster, others argue that it was the lack of confidence in the Colored Troops to perform under fire. Either way, the failure of the Battle of the Crater ensured that the siege of Petersburg would last another eight months.
(stands by and awaits Grandstanders corrects and details. )
A remarkable moment when racism came back to smack the U.S. Army in the face.
In July of 1864 during the siege of Petersburg a plan was devised to dig a 511 foot tunnel under the rebel fortifications. At the end of the shaft 320 kegs of gunpowder were laid and set to explode creating a gap in which Union forces would be able to assault to roll up the flanks in detail.
The original plan was for the a division of the United States Colored Troops to lead the assault under the command of Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero but after intensive training for the assault commanding general of the Army of the Potomac Maj. Gen George Meade lost confidence in the plan and at the last minute assigned the all white 1st Division to lead the assault. Unfortunately, the 1st Division had not been trained for the assault as had been the Colored troops and when the charges were blown, and the gap created instead of assaulting around the edge of the crater, the assaulting force rushed headlong into it where they were cut down mercilessly by the regrouping rebel forces who had regained the higher ground.
Some argue that Mead, lacking confidence in the plan, feared that if it failed the resultant loss of African American troops would have been a public relations disaster, others argue that it was the lack of confidence in the Colored Troops to perform under fire. Either way, the failure of the Battle of the Crater ensured that the siege of Petersburg would last another eight months.
(stands by and awaits Grandstanders corrects and details. )
Nothing to correct, some additional details....
It was General Grant who signed off on the replacement of the colored troops in General Ferrero's division. General Burnside, the Corps commander who had planned the assault using the colored troops, appealed to Meade after learning of the decision to switch the leading elements. Meade agreed to let Grant decide and it was Meade's argument about the Union being perceived as not caring about the lives of the black soldiers which carried the day.
Burnside, having lost the argument, then behaved in an inexcusably petulant way. Rather than taking charge of rewriting the plan, he called in his four brigade commanders from Ferreo's division and had them draw lots to determine which division would lead the attack. James H. Ledlie "won" and this was unfortunate since he was the least competent of the four men. Ledlie made no effort to brief his brigade members, no effort to train them, and during the attack he retired to his tent and got drunk. (He was dismissed from the service by a court of inquiry.)
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