World War II Chronicles

A Quarterly Newsletter of the World War II Veterans Committee ISSUE XXI, Summer, 2003 A Tradition of Sacrifice African-American Service in World War II By Tim G.W. Holbert

Those who profess to favor freedom and yet to be the best. Anything less would be used as depreciate agitation, are people who want crops further proof by those who believed that black without ploughing the ground; they want rain men could not and should not be pilots, and without thunder and lightning; they want the further condemn them to serve only as cooks and ocean without the roar members of the ship or of its many waters. The camp’s band. The drive struggle may be a moral to be known not as a one, or it may be a novelty but as feared physical one, or it may pilots caused these men be both. But it must be to work harder and a struggle. Power longer than anyone concedes nothing could ever imagine. In without a demand; it the end they would never has and it never enjoy success beyond will. what anyone could ever imagine…except Frederick Douglass— themselves. 1857 The story of Spanky Roberts, one of the Red In his book, Red Tails, The 99th Fighter Squadron near Naples, Italy, 1944 Tails whose story was Black Wings, author John recounted by John Holway tells the story of Holway, demonstrates the famed “Red Tails;” the Tuskegee Airmen. The the double-conflict that so many black soldiers 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group and airmen had to face. Though the impeccable flew 1578 missions and over 15,000 sorties. 450 record of the Red Tails merited recognition, the pilots flew into combat. Sixty-six of them never 332nd was consistently under-decorated. How- returned. Every single pilot was an African- ever, during the war they did earn ninety-five American. Distinguished Flying Crosses, as well as a Presi- dential Unit Citation. Roberts would later recall, What is most impressive about the 332nd and 99th is their record in battle. In all of those missions I remember the day in Italy when I stood in parade flown by all of those pilots, zero friendly bombers formation alone in front of my squadron to get the were lost to enemy fighters. It is a record that few Presidential Unit Citation surrounded by newspaper- can match, though none should be surprised by it. men and photographers. The general leaned forward to pin the medal on and in a low voice called me every The men trained at Tuskegee knew that they had 1

continued on page 9 On the radio with... The Greatest Generation

Welcome to The Greatest Generation, bringing you the “Heroes of the Air” and “Hit Parade” are two legends and legacy of World War II… other featured segments of The Greatest Generation. Hosted by Gene Pell, “Heroes of the Air” tells the Airing across the country on the Radio America stories of those who flew for America and earned network, The Greatest Generation, hosted by General the nation’s supreme military award, the Medal of Milnor Roberts and his wife, Priscilla, is quickly Honor. The “Hit Parade” segment allows listeners becoming a hit with both veterans and history to submit their memories of and requests for their buffs alike. Featuring archival favorite songs from the World recordings, historical documen- War II era. taries, and live interviews with the men and women of the Segments of the radio documen- Second World War, The Greatest tary, “World War II Chronicles,” Generation is America’s only radio are reproduced and are a staple program devoted to the sounds feature of The Greatest Generation. and events of an era that shaped Hosted by the late great, “Voice a people and defined a nation. of World War II” Edward J. The program is sponsored by the Herlihy, “World War II World War II Veterans Com- Chronicles” was originally mittee. produced to mark the 50th Anniversary of World War II Your hosts of The Greatest Generation, Entirely devoted to World War General Milnor Roberts and his wife, from 1991-1995. A nation- II, The Greatest Generation is Priscilla in the studio before going on air wide hit that aired on over 500 comprised of contemporary stations nationwide, The live interviews and documentaries, as well as those Greatest Generation is proud to air segments of this recorded at the time of the Second World War. A award-winning documentary series. particularly popular segment features Vox Pop, which was the title of a radio quiz show that The highlight of The Greatest Generation, however, originally aired from 1932 until 1948. Vox Pop, is the live interviews of World War II heroes in- which means “voice of the people,” hosted by studio by General and Mrs. Roberts. General Parks Johnson, Wally Butterworth, and Warren Roberts, himself a veteran of the D-Day landing Hull, contributed to the war effort in World War II at Normandy, has served in numerous positions by traveling to over 200 military bases, hospitals, during his long and illustrious career, including a and defense plants across the country. Vox Pop seven-year term as head of the Reserve Officers included interviews with servicemen of all ranks Association. He currently serves as the chairman from all branches of the service. This unique of High Frontier, the leading organization promot- series is being brought to the public through the ing a missile defense system. preservation efforts of the World War II Veterans Committee in association with the Library of Priscilla Roberts has extensive experience as a American Broadcasting at the University of legislative aide on Capitol Hill and was personally Maryland. responsible for legislation enabling one of the few 2 remaining LST’s from World War II to be repaired and retuned from Europe to America. This victory at Midway paved the way for the first Recently, General and Mrs. Roberts welcomed into offensive by the United States, which was at the studio Rear Admiral Edward L. “Whitey” Guadalcanal. Dr. D’Angelo argued that there never Feightner, one of America’s flying aces of World would have been a Guadalcanal had the United War II who scored nine kills over the skies of the States lost the battle of Midway. Pacific, along with Dr. James D’Angelo, President of the International Midway Memorial Founda- Admiral Feightner agreed that Midway was, in fact, tion. Admiral Feightner and Dr. the turning point in World War II, and D’Angelo spoke of the importance pointed out that many historians are of Midway as not only the turning beginning to think the same way. point of the War in the Pacific, but “The historians base this after uncov- also as one of the most decisive ering some statements from Churchill, naval battles in the history of who was in a real quandary at that warfare. point,” he stated. “He had decided that if we did not win the battle of “For the first five months after Pearl Midway, he would have to pull ships Harbor was attacked in 1941,” Dr. out of the Atlantic in order to protect D’Angelo explained, “the Japa- British interests in the Pacific.” nese had advanced as far east as Admiral Feightner explained that the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, At Midway, the tide would turn recently, a few noted historians as far north as Manchuria, as far have argued that D-Day would west as Burma, and as far south as have never occurred had the United New Guinea. They had been unstoppable.” Dr. States lost at Midway. D’Angelo pointed out that in the early part of May, 1942, the battle of the Coral Sea was the “Had the United States lost all three carriers at first time that the Japanese were turned away from Midway,” Dr. D’Angelo added, “the United States their objective, though their basic carrier force would have had to retreat all the way back to San remained intact. The Japanese plan was to destroy Diego.” At the time of the battle of Midway, the the U.S. Navy carrier fleet. “They made that battle for the Atlantic was raging, with German decision because they realized that if the carrier submarine warfare at its height. If the United fleet could be destroyed, that basically the U.S. States did not take its few remaining carriers from Navy would have to pull out of Pearl Harbor and the Atlantic and order them to the Pacific, the retreat to San Diego, California, leaving the entire Pacific Ocean would have been empty of Imperial Japanese Navy to roam free to do what American carriers. “President Roosevelt would they wanted in the Pacific,” Dr. D’Angelo added. have had an important decision,” Dr. D’Angelo continued, “because we know one shell from a What made Midway so decisive, both Admiral Japanese submarine off the Northern coast of Feightner and Dr. D’Angelo explained, was the California caused great anxiety. If the Japanese had fact that the Japanese lost all four of their carriers just sent submarines...let alone any surface ships...it in the battle. “More importantly,” D’Angelo would have been a political decision and caused added, “is that the pride of the Japanese navy’s great anxiety in California. One other point is that pilots were also killed. Unlike Americans, where before the Japanese decided to take on the U.S. they got top pilots, they brought them back Fleet, there was serious thought of the Japanese stateside where they could teach the younger naval fleet, which at that time had been untouched, pilots, the Japanese had a different philosophy. to go through the Suez Canal, and join up with the They believed their pilots should be on the front Germans.” lines.” 3 WWII SPEAK OUT by Hunter Scott NATIONAL YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE, WORLD WAR II VETERANS COMMITTEE

America’s No. 1 Soldier, Bob Hope, Dies at 100 for playing the roll of Huckleberry Haines in the hit Broadway Musical, “Roberta.” He went on to “A member of my staff asked me when I star in many other Broadway plays, Warner Bros. was going to retire,” Bob Hope once said. “I told Films, and in 1938 he scored big with Paramount him, ‘When I can no longer hear the sound of Pictures in “Red, Hot, and Blue.” laughter.’ He Said, ‘That never stopped you before’.” Throughout his career Bob made over seventy films. Of these motion pictures, he is “G.I. Bob” may no longer be able best known for “The Road to Singapore” to hear the laughter, but his laughter still and “The Road to Hong Kong.” He also lingers and his legacy still remains in the appeared at the Academy Awards at hearts of so many of those whose lives least twenty times, and flew over ten he touched. Six years of his professional million miles to do stand-ups at military career as a comedian and entertainer bases. Not only was Bob an American were proudly spent boosting American Icon, he was a world traveler as well. morale during World War II. Six decades were spent honoring America’s service- Many folks remember Bob Hope men. To Bob Hope, America and her for his comic routines performed at military bases were his stage, and military bases all over the world. His America’s heroes were his audience. first of these was in May of 1941, when The World War II Veterans Committee Bob and four friends went to March Bob passed away Sunday, July 27, Youth Spokesman, Field, California, to perform a radio 2003 due to pneumonia. “It was really Hunter Scott show for the airmen. Throughout the quite a lovely evening… You couldn’t war, all except for two of his shows ask for a more beautiful and peaceful were performed at US military bases. time. And at 100 you are a little bit prepared and These military shows eventually earned Bob the know that it’s not going to be too much longer,” title of “America’s No. 1 Soldier.” Linda Hope commented to the press on Monday, July 28. “I can’t tell you how beautiful and serene During World War II and Vietnam, troops and peaceful it was, and the fact that his family were amused in England, France, Sicily, Ireland, was around really warmed dad’s heart.” Africa…and the list continues. “I guess I have my critics everywhere,” Bob said after a bomb blew Bob Hope’s career as an entertainer began up at his hotel just before he checked in. He at age eighteen when his then girlfriend and he never lost his sense of humor, or his witty jokes. worked for eight dollars a night dancing at nearby He was once recorded as telling forty-four jokes in vaudeville houses. One year later Bob found four minutes. The complete Bob Hope Joke File himself partnered with George Byrne doing tab consists of over 85,000 pages of jokes and shows in New York City and in 1927 the team hit dialogs. Broadway appearing in “The Sidewalks of New York.” Bob first gained national stardom however, 4 In 1948, thanks to the invitation of the Secretary of the Air Force, Bob Hope performed “I always like to go to Washington D.C. It gives me his first “Christmas Special” for the troops in- a chance to visit my money.” –On touring the volved in the Berlin airlift. These specials later U.S. Treasury became a legendary tradition. “You should have seen the Christmas cards I got this year. I got one “(Dan) Quayle thinks Roe vs. Wade are two ways card from Marilyn Monroe with a picture of her in to cross the Potomac.” a bathing suit—what a picture! You know how George Washington looks straight ahead on a two “The last time I played golf with President Ford he cent stamp, well on this envelope he keeps peek- hit a birdie – and an eagle, a moose, an elk, an ing over his shoulder.” In 1972 he announced his aardvark ...” last Christmas show. Every year that followed, Hope found “If I had that kind of money, I himself at some military base or wouldn’t come to Vietnam, I’d veterans hospital bringing smiles send for it.” –Denying reports to people’s faces with his daily during doses of the best medicine. a Christmas troop show in Saigon that he was worth $500 million Bob received over 2000 awards throughout his career as The jokes of Bob Hope an entertainer, and is currently are still remembered by all those the only person ever named an whose lives he influenced with “Honorary Veteran of the United laughter. Out of those 89,000 States Armed Forces” by Con- pages in the Library of Congress, Bob Hope poses with World War II gress. The United States Navy not a one contains foul language Veteran and baseball Hall of Famer also dedicated the USNS Bob Bob Feller and a Hoover High or material inappropriate for Hope (T-AKR300) in the School student in 1947. The picture, children. Bob hope was a clean comedian’s honor, and the Air photographed by World War II cut, well respected, honest, and an Force named a C-17 the “Spirit Veterans Committee member admirable man, and 100% Ameri- of Bob Hope”. Lawrence Krown, was taken during can-made. After one hundred a visit to speak to the young leaders years, he will be remembered as Many of us may remem- of the school. one of the greatest comics and ber a few of GI Bob’s old jokes: American heroes of all time. He After all there are 89,000 pages was a pioneer in the entertaining of them in the Library of Congress. According to industry, his ratings for radio and television shows Bob, he stole 88,999 of them. But to bring back flew off the charts, and his decency as a person old memories for those who remember Bob’s was untouched by other performers. Bob Hope Jokes, here are a few. will always be missed, but never forgotten. His impact on the United States has been tremendous. “My grandfather was a naval hero. He once We have Bob to thank for boosting morale, and shouted, ‘I have not yet begun to fight’. And you giving soldiers the hope and encouragement to know, he never did. You probably remember him, continue fighting for the United States of America. Admiral Tuna, the Chicken of the Sea.” So to Bob Hope on behalf of many Americans I say, “We love you Bob.” “A few months ago Kennedy’s mother said, ‘you have a choice. Do you want to go to camp this (Hunter Scott is Youth Representative for the World year or run for president’?” –On John F. Kennedy War II Veterans Committee and will be a Freshman running for president at a young age at the University of North Carolina this fall.) 5 WWII World War II Evenings

The World War II Evenings program continues to be a popular series. The meetings are co-sponsored with the Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC and are held monthly at the Club in the winter and spring months. The April meeting featured Col. Phil Ishio, founder of the Japanese-American Veterans Association and Kelly Kuwayama discussing the Japanese-American contribution to the Allied war effort. The May program was devoted to D-Day and featured General J. Milnor Roberts, former Army Ranger Lieutenant Leonard Lomell and Frank Hayden, Captain in the Merchant Marines. (Above) Kelly Kuwayama (on the left) and Col. Phil Ishio at the program featuring Japanese- American Veterans

(Left) L to R--Robert Tudor, Program Director, Army and Navy Club; General J. Milnor Roberts, Priscilla Roberts, Charlotte Lomell, Leonard Lomell, Marilyn Hayden, Frank Hayden, and World War II Veterans Committee President James C. Roberts at the World War II Evening program on D-Day

Congressional Intern Symposium

On July 30th, 2003, the World War II Veterans Committee sponsored its annual Symposium for Congressional interns. “A Salute to the Greatest Generation” featured presentations by General Andrew Goodpaster, Hunter Scott, Captain Frank Hayden, Omaha Beachmaster Joseph Vaghi, “The Navy Hour” producer Marjorie Hadlock, and President of the Battle of the Bulge Association and former Army nurse, Dorothy Davis. Pictured to the left, Joseph Vaghi explains the BIGOT map that he used to direct the landing at Omaha Beach to a young Marine just returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom. 6 In Their Own Words Books Authored by World War II Veterans

Books written about World War II are becoming more and more popular, as the public seeks to learn more of the heroics displayed by our men and women who served. While the works of authors and historians are valuable and entertaining, a great untapped source of history resides in the stories of the veterans themselves. A great number of veterans have written books on their own stories, with many being published. World War II Chronicles is proud to showcase excerpts of books written by veterans of World War II. To submit a book to be highlighted in In Their Own Words, please mail to:

World War II Chronicles Attn: Editor 1030 15th St., NW Suite 856 Washington, DC 20005

This issue features an excerpt from Wings and Barbed ME-109’s, FW190’s, JU 88’s, F110’s, and others. Wire, by Gerald A. Duval. Mr. Duval served as They expected us and were waiting just as we had Radio Operator and Left Waist Gunner on a B-24 discussed the day before and at briefing. A sinking bomber in the 459th bomb group. After being shot feeling came over us when we realized that in our down over Steyre, Austria, Mr. Duval was confined tail end position we were very vulnerable. If an to German prison camps throughout the rest of the aircraft was in this position he stood alone. For war. He now lives with his wife, Thelma, in Panama some reason if you were tucked away in the box City Beach, Florida you felt more secure. The reason for this was you had more fire power in the box. Here we stood out like a sore thumb. If we dared straggle we had no hope. The fighters enjoyed a bomber that was Wings and Barbed Wire known as “Tail End Charlie.” The B-17’s, as I By Gerald A. Duval Chapter 28: The Mission mentioned a little slower, now fell prey to the many fighters. They were getting hit hard. It was The day was beautiful. The sun shone brightly as reported that around this target there were more it cast its reflection off the Adriatic. It was not airplanes per cubic meter than any of us had ever long before all the squadrons were formed and seen. It was also reported that FW-200’s were the group rendezvoused. Thirty-seven B-24’s above us at about 30,000 feet or higher, calling joined other units of the 15th Air Force. The B- down information to the flak batteries on the 24’s were the last to take off. We were a little ground. This was attested to by the accuracy of faster than the B-17’s gathering. It wasn’t long their concentration as we went into the target. before we were nearing the coast of Yugoslavia, home of the Partisans. These people were re- On some previous missions we had thrown chaff sponsible for helping many downed American to distract the flak gunners. Perhaps I should Airmen to return to their organizations. It explain about chaff. These were strips of foil like seemed like no time after flying over the coast of we hang on a Christmas tree. As we came into the Yugoslavia before we encountered our first target and in range of the deadly 88’s we would fighters. They seemed to be all over the sky. throw this material out the waist windows, camera Thanks to our aircraft recognition classes we were hatch, or wherever. The main purpose was to able to spot many varieties of German aircraft, spread many of it to throw off the radar used to 7 track us. It was always a good feeling for us to watch the black puffs break in the center of the Alex had been knocked out of his turret by ex- chaff way behind us. ploding cannon fire. Upon regaining his seat was once again knocked out of his seat when he was This mission was different, we did not throw chaff and grazed in the head by a bullet. This was the pass the flak was at our level. Before we arrived at the by an ME-109 that killed the pilot, Sy, target we opened the camera hatch and and the nose gunner, Krajnik. prepared to take photos of the bomb strikes. The flak was heavy at this point. After dropping his bombs, Mike had The fighters had been warned away by come up to the flight deck to help out. colored flares from the ground. This meant “back off, we are going to throw He arrived in time to witness the attack everything we have at these intruders;” that killed our pilot. As stated by and they did just that. We waded Mike, the round, a 20mm, had struck through the blanket of pure hell that Sy in the face decapitating him. Mike they threw at us and managed to drop further stated that he then turned to our bombs. After the photos were the co-pilot, Sheperd, and observed taken, we closed the camera hatch, by him trapped in the wreckage of the now, we were leaving the target area. cockpit. Moments later the fighters hit us. They were all over the sky. Suddenly I saw a Mike stated that he threw the co-pilot black ME-110 sitting just off my left. He ap- out of the airplane. It was then that peared like magic, one moment he was not there the bomber did a wing over and began its sharp and the next he was just sitting there. For a spin toward the mountain peaks below. Mike then moment I just stared at him. When the shock left used hand signals to order Alex to bail out. With me I started to fire. As quick as a flash he fired difficulty, Alex made it through the bomb bays. By two rockets into the box ahead. He then realized this time the spin was so bad and the centrifical I was pestering him with my steady stream of 50 force so great that it was difficult for Mike to caliber bullets. In a flash he turned and headed move. straight for us. I could see the flash of the guns. At the same moment a large In the rear, I recovered hole appeared in the fuselage enough from the initial next to my left side and my impact of shrapnel to take gun. I was still firing at him over my gun. I remember and raked his length as he Torano was firing my gun, went underneath us. It then his own. There was happened all at once. I took blood on his face. His color a hit from the shrapnel of his was ashen. I will never forget exploding cannon fire in my looking into his eyes. right shoulder, right knee and left foot. The impact in my Suddenly, as I was firing, the shoulder spun me away from left wing dipped. It was so my gun. At the same time I severe that it all but threw me felt a bucket of hot coals being dumped into my out the waist window. I held onto my gun as I left boot. sprayed a stream of 50 caliber bullets at an unseen target. In moments the bomber was in a tight spin. In the meantime the crew members in the front of the airplane were having their own problems. An eyewitness, the tail gunner who was in the 8 plane in front of us, stated that the bomber went

continued on page 15 continued from page 1

unprintable name he could imagine: “Baboons can’t fly…Baboons can’t As tensions with Britain grew in fight.” He said the gun photos on the early and mid-1770s, the our planes had been faked. I Continental Congress recom- stood and looked him in the eye mended to the colonies that and said absolutely nothing. For able-bodied men form militia my money, I proved myself to be companies in case of conflict a better American than he was. with the crown. At first, all And so went the struggle for able-bodied men were African-Americans during enrolled…including black men. World War II. Not only were A great many of the famed they facing the Germans and “Minutemen” of the early days Japanese, they were also fight- of the war were black, and ing those on their own side who many served with distinction. would rather see the black men Lexington, Concord, and Paul Revere’s famous engraving Bunker Hill all saw black men fail, and hurt their own cause, depicting the Boston Massacre. than allow them to succeed. fighting alongside whites for Crispus Attucks was among the first their common cause. A black Black men and women had to fall. served America before, but it man named Salem Poore fought was thanks to men like the Red with such valor that he earned a Tails that their service in petition, signed by a World War II proved that number of Massachusetts they belonged on the officers, which stated: battlefield with the rest of a negro called Salem those Americans who Poore…behaved like an loved and served their experienced officer, as well as country. an excellent soldier. We only beg leave to say in the person While the Tuskegee of this said negro centers a Airmen of World War II brave and gallant soldier. The may be the most cel- reward due so great and ebrated African-American distinguished a character, we servicemen in our his- submit to Congress. tory, they were by no Prior to the Revolution, George Washington became means the first. Black However, as the conflict increasingly disgusted by the slave trade. Refusing with Britain grew, that men and women have to sell any slave that he already owned so as to not specter that has haunted been involved with the break up families, he demanded humane treatment military since before our of all blacks. During the war, he was a strong the human conscience founding. We have all advocate for the enlistment of African-American since ancient times reared heard the story of soldiers into the Continental Army, believing that all its head: slavery. The Crispus Attucks, the men who sought freedom should have the chance to American founders did former slave who was fight. He later became the only United States not invent slavery, but first to fall in the Boston President that had owned slaves have them set free. they could not abolish it. Massacre of 1770. In his original draft of the However, there were many other African-Ameri- Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, cans who shed their blood in the cause of liberty himself a slaveholder, denounced the institution during the American Revolution. that he felt the crown was responsible for in 9 America. Though Jefferson, like many Americans, knew that slavery was wrong, they could imagine such persons of suitable condition (newly freed no easy solution, and continued to push the issue black men) will be received into the armed service aside in favor of taking on other tasks. Such was of the United States to garrison forts, positions, the worry of slave revolt that in the months stations, and other places, and to man vessels of following Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, all sorts in said service.” For the first time in the many in the newly formed war, the Union Army heavily Continental Army refused to recruited black men. The most arm black men, and advocated recognized black unit was the discharging any who were 54th Massachusetts, which was already enlisted. The British, depicted in the film Glory. In realizing this, were quick to July 1863, the 54th was chosen attempt to capitalize on the to lead a hopeless assault on slaves’ desires for freedom. The Fort Wagner in South Carolina. British Army offered freedom to Though they lost almost a third any slave who would assist in of their men, the 54th proved to putting down the rebellion. possess incredible bravery. These overtures towards slaves, African-American infantrymen in Sergeant Robert Carney, the flag- combined with the overwhelm- the Union Army bearer, though shot in the head ing need for soldiers caused and wounded horribly, made it many colonies to rethink their back to the lines without drop- policies of arming black men. The idea that ping his flag. “The old flag never touched the winning the Revolution could lead to a country in ground, boys,” he was remembered as saying. which “all men are created equal” led black men to enlist in very large numbers. Though African-Americans served bravely in the Civil War and many, including William Tecumseh Though the American Revolution did not lead to Sherman, advocated integrating the Army, they an immediate abolition of slavery in America, the were again forgotten for the most part during the seeds were sown with the help of freemen and later half of the 19th century. While many served, slaves alike. Black men would serve, mainly in they were still harassed and attacked by a hostile the Navy, in the War of 1812 and the Mexican population in the South and kept in segregated War. However, it was not until eighty-some years units in the West. Still, they continued to make a after the Declaration of Independence that significant impact in the cavalry and Navy. The another proclamation would inspire African- first black cadets began to attend the United States Americans to serve en masse once more. Military Academy at West Point. A young John Pershing earned the nickname “Black Jack” after The initial outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 did accepting a position as commander of a black not see an overwhelming attempt to enlist black company. Pershing himself would recognize that men. Though the South needed men, they could the men under his command were just as qualified not arm even free black men for the same fears to serve as any other American. that haunted the colonists in the American Revo- lution. Lincoln and the North were preoccupied For every two steps forward, the efforts of Afri- with saving the Union. As the war progressed, can-Americans to succeed in the military seemed however, both the Union and Confederate called to take one step back. While a few young black more and more upon black men to serve. men were appointed to West Point and Annapolis, they were faced with massive opposition from On January 1st, 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued the many in the administration, not to mention their Emancipation Proclamation. In it, he would fellow cadets. Few were able to overcome such write, “And I further declare and make known that 10 odds, and little of positive note came from these first men. Again, those who opposed them were serve with special distinction, and won the admira- able to use this record against them, and no black tion of the French citizenry they were protecting. men were admitted to West Point again until after World War I. After the war ended, it seemed that once again, two steps forward were As war waged across Europe in 1917, followed by another step back. Race Americans were once again called riots and lynchings grew out of control, upon to, in Woodrow Wilson’s words, and the Ku Klux Klan enjoyed a “make the world safe for democracy.” resurgence. The Army’s highest- Some African-Americans, feeling that ranking black man, Benjamin O. Davis, fighting for America had never and was unable to find himself promoted, would never advance their cause, and was given menial work away from believed that they should refuse to the front lines. It would be up to his fight in Europe. “Why not make son, Benjamin O. Davis Jr., to win America safe for democracy?” was honor for the family on the field of the question posed by the NAACP. battle. However, W.E.B. DuBois, the The first black General in the founder of the NAACP, urged United States Army, Ben- Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. was born on black Americans to fight once jamin O. Davis, Sr. December 18, 1912 in Washington, more. “First your country, then D.C. After studying at the Univer- your rights,” he would argue. sity of Chicago, he made his way to DuBois pointed out that, indeed, joining the rest West Point, determined to succeed where those of America in defense of their country had that had come before him had not. For four years secured rights that were denied them before. he would suffer through some of the most trying Black men fought in the Revolution, which led to and lonely times imaginable. For four years he was the emancipation of slaves in the north at best ignored. “I became an invisible and the end of the slave trade. They man,” he would recall. Davis was fought in the War of 1812, and many forced to room alone, sit alone at black men were given the right to vote football games, and even dance alone at in the north, causing a much stronger mandatory dance classes. Author John abolitionist movement to emerge. Holway explains, “Although he was They fought in the Civil War, and the assigned a table at the mess hall, Sunday result was the freedom of all slaves, for breakfast was ‘open seating,’ and he was all time. DuBois acknowledged that forced to go from table to table, mess there would be setbacks, but they tray in hands: ‘Request permission to could not forget their duty to their join your table.’ country. He also realized that to truly be Americans, they would all Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., who ‘Permission denied.’” have to sacrifice along with their overcame countless set- white countrymen. backs to become one of “It was designed to make me buckle, America’s most celebrated but I refused to buckle,” Davis Heeding DuBois’ call, over heroes would remember. “They didn’t 400,000 served in the Army during understand that I was going to stay World War I. While a relatively low there. That I was going to gradu- percentage of these soldiers saw combat, two ate.” black divisions joined “Black Jack” Pershing’s American Expeditionary Force. The “Men of Davis did graduate, and even earned the respect of Bronze” of the 369th New York Infantry would 11 his classmates. The 1936 issue of The Howitzer, the

continued on page 22 The World War II Veterans Committee Proudly Presents its Sixth Annual Conference November 6-8th, 2003 Alexandria, VA

Highlights Include:

“The Road to War” With General Andrew J. Goodpaster, former Supreme Allied Commander, NATO

“The War in the Pacific” With Admiral Thomas Moorer, former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

“Interrogating the Nazi Generals” with Ambassador John Dolibois

“My Grandfather as Leader in World War II” with Hon. Celia Sandys, granddaughter of Winston Churchill

“Rosie the Riveter” with Fran Carter, President of the Rosie the Riveter Foundation

Leonard Lomell, Veteran 2nd Battalion, Hero of Omaha Beach

Joseph Vaghi, former Beachmaster, Omaha Beach

Panels on D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, Iwo Jima, Women in World War II

Wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Navy Memorial

Choral Evensong and Church Service in honor of World War II Veterans

World War II Veterans Gala Awards Banquet

12 AND MUCH MORE!!! New for 2003!

Private Tour of Mount Vernon

This year’s conference will feature a private tour of George Washington’s home of Mount Vernon. Following the closing of the estate to the general public, attendees will be taken on a guided tour of the mansion and grounds. This rare opportunity will give visitors the chance to get a closer look at the life, times, and virtue of “The Father of Our Country.”

Wreath Laying at Washington’s Tomb

“First in war, First in Peace, First in the Hearts of his Countrymen.” So said “Light Horse Harry” Lee of George Washington on December 26, 1799. Less than two weeks earlier, Washington had died in his bed at Mount Vernon. In honor of General Washington, the World War II Veterans Committee will place a wreath at his tomb as part of our trip to Mount Vernon. All Conference attendees are invited to join us as we pay tribute to our first, and greatest, military hero.

Reception at the Historic Gadsby’s Tavern

On the evening of Friday, November 7th, The World War II Veterans Committee Annual Conference will sponsor a reception for conference attendees at historic Gadsby’s Tavern in Alexandria. Join us as we enjoy food, drink, and entertainment at the eighteenth-century hotel and tavern that played host to such prominent patrons as John Adams, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, the Marquis de Lafayette, and its most illustrious13 guest, George Washington. World War II Veterans Committee 6TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE Nov 6-8 REGISTRATION FORM Please return this form with a check payable to:

WWII VETERANS COMMITTEE 1030 15th Street, NW / Suite 856 / Washington, DC 20005

Check the combination below for which you wish to register.

FULL CONFERENCE: $170/pp; Vets Rate: $ 140/pp (Includes all sessions, 3 wreath layings; two lunches, Choral Evensong, two receptions, Awards Banquet, Swing Dance) $______x # of persons ____ = $______(Vets rate) / $ ______x # of persons _____ = $______(Reg. Rate)

THURSDAY & FRIDAY, ONLY: $105/pp; Vets Rate: $75/pp (Includes Thursday Evensong; Fri. Panel Sessions, Lunch, Wreath Layings @ US Navy Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Memorial , Reception @ Gadsby’s Tavern) $______x # of persons ____ = $______(Vets rate) / $ ______x # of persons _____ = $______(Reg. Rate)

SATURDAY ONLY: $85/pp; Vets Rate: $55/pp (Includes Panel Sessions; lunch, Tour of Mount Vernon and Wreath Laying at Washington’s Tomb) $______x # of persons ____ = $______(Vets rate) / $ ______x # of persons _____ = $______(Reg. Rate)

SATURDAY AWARDS BANQUET AND SWING DANCE $60/pp (Includes the Annual Awards Banquet and the Big Band Swing Dance) $______x # of persons ____ = $______(Vets rate) / $ ______x # of persons _____ = $______(Reg. Rate)

SWING DANCE ONLY: $15/pp

$______x # of persons ____ = $______

TOTAL ENCLOSED: $ ______

HOTEL INFORMATION: Radisson Hotel Old Town 901 N. Fairfax St./Alexandria, VA 22314-1501 703-683-6000 OR 800-333-3333 Note: The Committee cannot be responsible for securing hotel reservations RESERVE YOUR ROOM BY OCTOBER 7 TO GET THE SPECIAL RATE OF $79 PER NIGHT. Just mention that you are attending the World War II Conference

Name: ______

Address:______City:______State:______ZIP:______14 phone: (_____) ______e-mail: ______Fax: ______continued from page 8

into a spin, then at about 5000 feet recovered only peaceful haven for an exhausted airman. Then I to go back into a spin. This time he saw it spin all saw it before me, a white cottage surrounded by the way in. These were official witness reports flowers. The gate to this beautiful scene was in taken after the group returned to the field. An- front of me. As I reached for it, I was suddenly other gunner from another aircraft also submitted engulfed in red. The scene I was witnessing was a similar statement. I have these signed state- blocked from my vision by a red curtain pulled in ments in my possession. front of my face. In the same instant I was aware of someone screaming. The noise seemed to It took all of the strength I possessed to push come from outside the area. This scream of myself away from the gun and fall to the floor of anguish and pain was disturbing, not at all a part the aircraft near the camera hatch. Here I was of the beautiful peace I had just witnessed. I soon joined by Torano and Wells. Out of the became aware of being dragged over objects on corner of my eye I saw little Pete half out his ball the ground and I realized the screams I heard were turret. His face was bloody and unrecognizable. my own. Then came the straining to open the camera hatch. We couldn’t do it! What if we were able to get it (Wings and Barbed Wire is dedicated to those men open? I could not have reached my chute. I am and women who gave their lives to keep America positive the others were in the same shape. Then free. Copies can be found at bookstores around the there was the matter of getting our chutes on had country. For information on ordering, call 1-800- we had them. First we would have had to release 280-7715 or visit www.1stbook.com) our flak jackets. To do this we would have to be WWII standing erect. The vest was released by a handle affair at the bottom. Actually the handles were World War II Chronicles more in the shape of flat straps than a handle, but the principal was the same. This would have been A Quarterly Newsletter of the impossible. Suddenly in place of panic and the will to live I was overcome with a feeling of peace World War II Veterans and comfort. There was no escape and the snow- Committee capped mountain peaks were getting closer and Issue XXI Summer, 2003 closer. With my chin pressed against my chest I said, “Goodbye, Mom!” David Eisenhower, Honorary Chairman James C. Roberts, President Then something strange and unexplainable hap- Michael Paradiso, Managing Editor pened! Tim G.W. Holbert, Program Director/ Editor Without passage of time I was walking on a green meadow. There was a bright cool light, brighter World War II Chronicles is than normal sunlight, and far more pure. As I published quarterly by the walked on this green meadow I felt the freedom of American Studies Center movement. With a detached feeling I strode 1030 15th St., NW, Suite 856 leisurely clad not, in my heavy flying suit with all Washington, D.C. 20005 its connecting garb, but in my green flight suit. As 202-777-7272 I walked along I was aware of the sounds of nature. Birds were singing their melodious song. The World War II Veterans Committee Other sounds of nature could also be heard. I is a project of smelled the aroma of nature. Various flowers The American Studies Center, came into view. The smell of lilacs filled the air. a 501 (c) (3) non-profit Soon there was a pure white picket fence. What a 15 public education foundation. Back to the O.R., where a cook’s guts had been Stories From The torn in many places. He was on the table a few hours, and eventually pulled through. There was Vets Line no question as to whether it was an accident; the design was deliberate – many hospitals in the area getting the same treatment that same night. On The World War II Veterans Committee is New Year’s Day a buzz bomb came howling over proud to sponsor the Veterans Hotline. the area, landing on a house about 20 yards from Please call this toll-free number to leave a the furthest hospital tent. A few houses were three-minute World War II story. Please destroyed and all our supply tents were blown remember to speak slowly and leave your down, but none of our men were hurt. I was in name (and spelling) and phone number. the operating room and when that familiar putt- The hotline works just like your answering putt sound got closer and closer I was in the machine. Simply listen to the welcoming operating room. I hit the floor in a hallway. It was message, wait for the beep, and begin to during an idle spell and no patients were in the speak. It may prove helpful to have your O.R. I thought, “Here it comes” and waited to get story prepared before calling. Also, please blown to bits. Instead the concussion blew out note that this number is only for recording half the purposes and not meant for correspon- windows, dence. sucked 1-800-704-2484 locked doors open, and spread From Edward M. Goldman, Technician 5th Class in the seams the 16th General Hospital located a few miles from of the Liège, Belgium: building. We all got Christmas, 1944 – Remember the Bulge? On A hospital tent is erected in busy fixing Christmas Eve, our hospital – with big red and France, 1945 up; putting white crosses on the roof – was bombed and instrument strafed in the light of a bright moon. The anti- cases back personnel bombs killed two of our boys and along the walls; preparing for a possible rush of wounded about 40; 27 seriously. It occurred as patients, but only one Kraut was wounded – his the O.R. was changing shifts. One of our fellows, intestines hopelessly shredded. He died and we Taylor, was brought to the evacuation tent but didn’t weep for him. was so badly hurt he wasn’t moved any further. When Mike and I ran over there carrying an I recall my first intimate experience with the oxygen set, we found Donnelly giving artificial buzzes. I was in the mess tent, eating and looking respiration. Suddenly the roar of a plane was at some guy’s photos. We heard it coming and heard, lights were put out, everyone – docs, jumped on the tables as we sensed death medics – hit the floor except me. I bent over approaching. The poles shattered; the canvas was Taylor’s head and chest, covering as much of him torn with hundreds of bomb fragments. When I as I could with my own body. Then I yelled, “Get realized I wasn’t dead I looked around for back here and give this guy more artificial casualties – none. So I started picking up the respiration,” but it was no go. Taylor was dead, photos, my body trembling uncontrollably. For and I had been cradling a dead man in my arms. months and months we lived under the regular We had slept in the same hut in England and now threat of those machines. Many boys dug foxholes he was beginning to get cold. 16 in their tents. Many times when they’d be buzzing over every 15 minutes, I would sleep with my the rifle out of my hands. I was approximately 15 helmet on. One night we counted over 65. ft. from the soldiers at this time and they instantly Another time I was reeling a patient in when we brought the rifles to their shoulders and fired at heard one close. We ran for our helmets, but when me. I hit the ground and scrambled into a ditch I saw the poor guy on the table I stuck mine over on the side of the road near a brick house. At his head, held him tight, and waited. that time my patrol commenced firing on the enemy, which helped me to escape. Having Again outside the theatre of the O.R., hearing a crawled up the ditch near the brick house I met a hot one I rushed in, saw a guy on the table, and radio operator who was part of the patrol. I asked “Kraut or Yank?” To weak for a reply, I borrowed his weapon and started firing at the bent over him. After it passed, I looked at the enemy. I hit at least 11 of them, and then re- card – German. Yet if I had known it, would I treated to a paint shed attached to the brick have done the same thing? I don’t know. It was house, which had been a chicken coop in the past. during these months that even a truck going by made us jump. Some boys went to pieces and had Once I was inside the only way out was through to be sent back for resting treatment. Patients the same door I came in. As the Germans were begged to return to the front rather then sweat out firing at me, the bullets were hitting the tops of the buzzes. All the while Liège was being paint cans, but just missing me by fractions of an shattered bit by bit. The people were being driven inch. One, however, grazed me on the left wrist crazy by the damn buzzing. Many left the city. but did not require medical attention. I left the shed and emptied my rifle at the nearest Germans. I then ran into the house and reloaded. I met an H-Company man who was ready to call in 88 rounds on the Germans. Some of the German soldiers had been wounded by the 88s, although From Melvin F. Thomason; CW-4 retired. At the most of them had been killed previously by me time was a PFC in Company G-335th Regiment, 84th Division: and my patrol. We then went on towards Hanover and from behind a hedge appeared several Ger- I was with the 84th Division in 1945, 10 April. At man soldiers. I instinctively fired and luckily hit a approximately 3 a.m. I was approached by Capitan German soldier in the head, and the rest of the Price, the G-3 of the 2nd Battalion, and he asked if Germans were quickly overcome by my patrol. I would volunteer to take a German First Lieuten- There were only three serious wounds in my ant – I believe company commander of a unit in company on that occasion, one being the company Hanover, Germany – to his company and ask for commander, who was shot though the wrist. A its surrender. I then picked a volunteer patrol of few others just had negligible wounds. Being that nd about ten men to cover me and proceeded to walk I was point man for the 2 Battalion at the time with the German prisoner to his unit at Hanover. and had volunteered to take a German officer into I was ordered not to do any shooting unless it was Hanover to accept the surrender of his company, I absolutely necessary. However, on the way out of was written up for the Silver Star but never did th the darkness a German soldier appeared and spoke receive it. Another member of the 84 , who had quickly to my prisoner. I believe the prisoner been a historian, told me that shortly after this – stated, “Tell them that the Americans are coming.” the end of the month in April – the Germans th The German soldier then ran off. made a large counter-attack and all the 84 Division’s records were destroyed, and this is what At 5 a.m. we were nearing a bridge on the out- most likely happened to my Silver Star. skirts of Hanover when I saw several German WWII soldiers in the thick fog. As we neared the Ger- man soldiers, my prisoner broke away and yanked 17 Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor should be sent to:

Editor World War II Chronicles 1030 15th St., NW, Suite 856 Washington, D.C. 20005

Stars in World War II served in the Coast Guard while Joe Louis served with the Special Services Division of the Army. Dear World War II Veterans Committee: Louis, who entertained over 2,000,000 soldiers dur- ing his frequent boxing exhibitions while serving in I received my copy of World War II Chronicles, Fall Europe, was later awarded the Legion of Merit for 2002, and was amazed to see all those famous names his contributions to morale. under the heading of “STARS WHO SERVED IN WORLD WAR II...” Regards, WWII However, I did notice the name of Sid Caesar, the famous comedian, missing from the list... Gentlemen, Sid Caesar served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII, and I am curious as to why his name was I have just received my Fall 2002 issue of the World absent... War II Chronicles and found it very interesting and enjoyable. I am sorry that I didn’t have any experi- Another famous man whose name was absent was ences worthy of print that I could contribute, but I Joe Louis, who served in the Army. would like to make an addition to your list of Stars who served in World War II. I came home from Hope you can clear this matter up for me. Italy in April, 1945 on board the USS West Point (formerly known as the SS America). Red Skelton Many thanks for a most informative Chronicle. was assigned on board he ship to entertain the troops going to and from Europe. I know because I have Sincerely, his autograph on my short snorter bill.

Paul Schweisberg Sincerely, US Army Air Corps, WWII Raymond W. Hinck Mr. Schweisberg:

Thank you for your feedback. It is staggering to see Gentlemen, the great number of stars who sacrificed along with the rest of America and joined the war effort. When I was just re-reading the Chronicles Issue from Fall, dealing with this many people, there are bound to 2002, which I do ever so often. be omissions. You are right, though...Sid Caesar 18 In reviewing the stars that served in World War II, I The Army’s Best Invention: The P-38 did not see Red Skelton listed under the Army and Air Services. I was wounded on January 31st, 1945 Dear Sirs, during the Battle of the Bulge, and made my way back through the hospital channels to Patrick Henry, I received my Fall 2002 edition of the World War II Virginia. Chronicles which I read with much interest. I was a U.S. Navy man from October 9, 1942 until January When we got there Red Skelton was running around 24, 1946. with a broom, acting as an orderly with PFC stripes. We all assumed that he was in the Army. Red was I especially enjoyed the article on the “Army’s Best kidding this WAC private and said, “Would you like Invention,” the P-38. to make PFC?” then continued to say, “I know one PFC that would like to make you!” I was with Co I received my first P-38 in early January, 1943 at K, 358th, 90th Division at Normandy until I was Guadalcanal and it has been with me ever since. wounded and we didn’t see such things as WAC’s, Through the Solomon Island campaign, Peleliu, so Red’s jokes were funny to myself and the rest of Marshall Islands, Philippines, and that “hell-hole” the GI’s. called Iwo Jima. It was also with me in Tokyo Har- bor when the peace was signed--14 campaigns in All these years I thought that Red was in the Army. all. If he wasn’t maybe I don’t need to know. If he was, give him credit in some future issue. It still remains on my key ring and is with me every day. Thanks, Thank you very much for World War II Chronicles. Emmett T. Boyd Please continue to keep me on your mailing list.

Gentlemen: Respectfully,

How we could have left Red Skelton off our list I Delbert E. Errett do not know! Fortunately a number of readers no- ticed this, and let us know. Unlike most entertain- ers who served during the war, Red was an enlisted man, not a Commissioned Officer. Word has it that Looking for Soldiers when Red arrived at Camp Roberts in California, his fellow soldiers had nailed up a sign on his bar- Dear World War II Chronicles, racks that read, “Tour a Movie Star’s Home...Twenty-Five Cents!” My name is Amber Stede, and my Grandmother, Kathleen Stede-Moore was born and raised in Regards, England. During World War II, my Grandmother WWII and her best friend opened a canteen for the soldiers. It was the only one of its kind at the Note: Though it would take pages upon pages to time. My Grandmother even received a citation list every celebrity who served in World War II, a from General Patton for her work. few others that were not originally listed include: Mickey Rooney, Jason Robards, Jack Palance, Julia Since her passing in August of 2000, I have been Child, Walter Matthau, Andy Rooney, Gene trying to find anyone who stayed in the canteen, Raymond, Buddy Hackett, and Mel Brooks. 19 anyone who might have come into contact with Separate Topographic Company assigned to the 5th my Grandmother. Corp Headquarters.

The canteen had the name of “JANE AND While on Iwo, I met Hank Austin, a Navy Chaplain. KATH” and it also had an autograph book in the I discovered that he had a daily Bible Study (even entrance for all the boys to sign as they came and on Iwo) for one hour every evening. I learned after went. My family still has this book. we returned to Maui that twelve Marines who had been in his Bible study on Maui before leaving for I thought it would be lovely to meet some of these Iwo had been on a troop ship without a Chaplain. men whom my Grandmother cared for, not to They continued studying the Bible every day for one mention the stories they must hold inside. If you hour. Before landing at Iwo, they made a pact that can help, or know someone who can, please e-mail every day they would pray for each other. They were me at [email protected]. all infantry assigned to three companies. All three companies had casualties from 89 percent to 93 per- Thank you for your time and God Bless. cent. None of the 12 were wounded or killed!

Sincerely, I am enclosing a copy of the MEMORIAL AD- DRESS-FIFTH MARINE DIVISION CEMETERY Amber Stede IWO JIMA by Chaplain Roland B. Oittelsohn (Jew- ish Chaplain). I feel strongly that you should pub- Readers can also contact Ms. Stede through writing lish this and that it should be made part of the records or calling our office in Washington. of the Marine Corps and of the Fifth Marine Divi- sion.

Memorial Address-Iwo Jima Sincerely yours, Edwin L. Jones, USMCR Retired Gentlemen, As requested, we have included a copy of Chaplain I was in WWII ending up as a 1st Lt. USMCR 023589. Oittelsohn’s Memorial Address below. My only combat was on Iwo Jima with the Second

Memorial Address-Fifth Marine Division Cemetery, Iwo Jima As recited by Chaplain Roland B. Oittelsohn

This is perhaps the grimmest, and surely the for none. Now they lie here silently in this sacred holiest task we have faced since D-Day. Here soil, and we gather to consecrate this earth in their before us lie the bodies of comrades and friends. memory. Men who until yesterday or last week laughed with us, and went over the sides with us as we prepared It is not easy to do so. Some of us have buried to hit the beaches of this island. Men who fought our closest friends here. We saw these men killed with us and feared with us. Somewhere in this plot before our very eyes. Any one of us might have of ground there may like the man who could have died in their places. Indeed, some of us are alive discovered the cure for cancer. Under one of and breathing at this very moment only because these Christian crosses, or beneath a Jewish Star of men who like here beneath us had the courage and David, there may rest now a man who was des- strength to give their lives for ours. To speak the tined to be a great prophet- to find a way, perhaps, memory of such men as these is not easy. Of for all to live in plenty, with poverty and hardship 20 them too can it be said with utter truth: “The world will little not note nor long remember what dices. No hatred. Theirs is the highest and purest we say here. It can never forget what they did democracy. Any man among us the living who here.” fails to understand that will thereby betray those who like here dead. Whoever of us lifts his hand No, our poor power of speech can add nothing to in hate against a brother, or thinks himself supe- what these men and the other dead of our Divi- rior to those who happen to be in the minority, sion who are not here have makes of this ceremony and already done. All that we of the bloody sacrifice it even hope to do is follow commemorates, an empty, their example. To show the hollow mockery. To them, same selfless courage in as our solemn, sacred duty, peace that they did in war. do we the living now dedi- To swear that by the grace cate ourselves:—to the right of God and the stubborn of Protestants, Catholics, strength and power of and Jews, of white men and human will, their sons and Negroes alike, to enjoy the ours shall never suffer democracy for which all of these pains again. These Marines mourn one of their own at Iwo Jima them have here paid the men have done their job price. well. They have paid the ghastly price of freedom. To one thing more do we If that freedom be once again lost, as it was after consecrate ourselves in memory of those who the last war, the unforgivable blame will be ours, sleep beneath these crosses and stars. We shall not not theirs. So it is we the living who are here to be foolishly suppose, as did the last generation of dedicated and consecrated. America’s fighting men, that victory on the battle- field will automatically guarantee the triumph of We dedicate ourselves, first, to live together in democracy at home. This way, with all the fright- peace the way they fought ful heartache and suffering, and are buried in this war. is but the beginning of our Here like men who loved generation’s struggle for America because their democracy. When the last ancestors generations ago battle has been won, there helped in her founding, and will be those at home, as other men who loved her there were last time, who with equal passion because will want us to turn our they themselves or their backs in selfish isolation on own fathers escaped from the rest of organized human- oppression to her blessed ity, and thus to sabotage the shores. Here like officers very peace for which we and men, Negroes and Somber Marines display captured Japa- fight. We promise you who whites, rich men and nese flags lie here: we will not do that! poor,—together. Here are We will join hands with Protestants, Catholics, and Britain, China, Russia in Jews,—together. Here no man prefers another peace, even as we have in war, to build the kind of because of his faith or despises him because of his world for which you died. color. Here there are no quotas of how many from each group are admitted or allowed. Among When the last shot has been fired, there will still these men there is no discrimination. No preju- 21 be those whose eyes are turned backward, not continued on page 28 continued from page 11

Academy’s magazine, describes Davis: Because of his experience, ability, and back- ground, Davis, now holding the rank of Captain, The courage, tenacity, and intelligence with which he was a natural choice to become the leader of the conquered a problem incomparably more difficult than “Tuskegee Experiment.” These first men assigned plebe year won for him the sincere admiration of his to Tuskegee showed the same resolve that Davis classmates, and his single-minded determination to did, and under his leadership began to flourish. continue in his chosen career cannot fail to inspire Training was intense, and the hours were long, but respect wherever fortune may lead him. the results were worth the sacrifice. A commonly repeated story is that of when Eleanor Roosevelt Though encouraged to leave the Army for a career visited Tuskegee in 1941. Watching the pilots in law, Davis again showed his stubborn tenacity practice maneuvers, Mrs. Roosevelt mentioned, “I by accepting a position at the Infantry School in always heard the colored can’t fly an airplane.” Fort Benning, Georgia, despite being rejected for the Army Air C. Alfred Anderson, known as Corps; the reason being that there “Chief,” was the first black com- were no black units in the Air mercial pilot in America, and was Corps. Though Davis did not yet now the head of the civilian flying have his wings, he would bide his program at Tuskegee. Standing time until an opportunity would next to Mrs. Roosevelt as she present itself. That opportunity watched the planes fly, he blurted came just a few years later, when out, “Oh yes they can, Mrs. the Japanese bombed the Ameri- Roosevelt.” can naval base on the island of Oahu; Pearl Harbor. Mrs. Roosevelt and “Chief” She replied, “Everybody here is flying. You must be able to fly. As As regional wars in Europe and Anderson following their ride over Tuskegee a matter of fact, I’m going to find East Asia grew into a global con- out for sure. I’m going to take a flict during 1939 and 1940, the flight with you.” United States mobilized for war on a scale never before seen. Men and women, black Her escorts were appalled, remembered “Chief ” and white, farmers and lawyers; all prepared for a Anderson. They attempted to contact President possible conflict with Japan and Germany. Still, Roosevelt to protest, but he was a man who when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941, the realized that if his wife made up her mind to do United States was not fully prepared for what lay something, she was going to do it. Mrs. Roosevelt ahead. President Roosevelt, along with the top proceeded to climb into the back of “Chief ” military brass, realized that air power would be Anderson’s Piper J-3 Cub, and gave her a ride over essential in achieving victory over the Axis. the campus of the Tuskegee Institute and the Planes, America could produce. However, what surrounding areas. were needed were pilots. Not just ordinary pilots, but the best in the world. American pilots had to “We had a delightful flight,” Chief Anderson be faster and smarter than any others in the world. would remember. “She enjoyed it very much. Bombers had to reach their targets, and fighters When we came back she said, ‘Well, you can fly had to control the skies. In March of 1941, the alright!’ I’m positive that when she went home she War Department had activated the 99th Pursuit said, ‘Franklin, I flew with those boys down there, Squadron, to train at Tuskegee Army Air Field, or and you’re going to have to do something about TAAF. One of the first to report to fly was it!” Benjamin Davis, Jr. 22 While the men training at Tuskegee were making great advancements, not all African-American of war had more rights than I did. I listened while soldiers were having so much success. The 92nd he lectured me for thirty minutes on his career and Infantry Division, an all-black unit, had the prejudice he had faced.” undeservedly gained a bad reputation in World War I. Now that the Second “Your anger will ruin your hopes for a World War was underway, it was being military career,” Davis warned him. “So activated to serve once more. There was curb your tongue, quiet your temper, and a great deal of apprehension on the part remember that you are an officer, not a of many, who feared that the 92nd would changer of behavior.” once again be deemed a failure. Unlike the men selected to fly at Tuskegee, What stuck most in Briggs’ mind, how- many of the men of the 92nd came from ever, was what Davis said next: “Things poor, uneducated backgrounds, and will change. More opportunities will though many worked hard, advancement come to our soldiers but we must be came slowly. Early in training, ready for them. There are plans to there seemed to be innumerable give our soldiers the opportunity to Baseball legend and World problems. Officers spoke of serve in the air and in other War II veteran Buck O’Neil overcrowded quarters, shortages in attending the World War II branches of the service heretofore supplies, the segregated club, and Veterans Committee’s Annual denied to them.” the refusal of the officers’ barber- National Conference shop to cut the hair of black men. Demeaning treatment of black With a stated policy of segregation soldiers and sailors knew no fame by the War Department, there seemed little that or fortune. Baseball legend John “Buck” O’Neil could be done. Racial tensions stewed, and played on nine championship teams during his violence would often break out between black and eighteen-year career in the Negro Leagues. Fol- white soldiers. Morale was incredibly low. lowing the 1943 season, O’Neil joined the Navy. Though he could have Benjamin O. Davis Sr., stayed out of the service, whose son was training at O’Neil, like so many of his Tuskegee, was now a generation, felt compelled Brigadier General serving to join. He was stationed as Assistant to the Inspec- at Subic Bay in the Philip- tor General. As he in- pines and worked to load spected the 92nd, he en- and unload ships. O’Neil countered Bradley Briggs, a would later recall an in- lieutenant who was facing stance in which he and his a court martial for refusing shipmates went to deliver a to carry out a training The P-40 “Red Tail” would be flown by the stockpile of ammunition to exercise. Briggs, angry at Tuskegee Airmen Though the P-40 performed a destroyer: what he considered an poorly at high altitudes making it vulnerable to unfair order and the racism enemy fighters, it was extremely durable and “We got there in an LST, of his superior officers, was very successful in bombing attacks and and started sending ammu- strafing runs. took his case directly to nition up. Then somebody Davis. started blowing taps. The little ensign on the deck “I told him that I was humiliated by the second- got on and said, ‘Attention Niggers!’ When he said class status I received while serving my country,” that I went up that ladder and said, ‘Do you know Briggs would later say, “and bitter that prisoners 23 what you’re saying? I am a Navy man! I just happen to be black. I’m fighting for the same were openly hostile. Benjamin Davis, Jr. was thing you are.” ordered back to the States to take command of the newly constituted 332nd Fighter Group and The captain was called and the ensign berated. would be out of action for some time. It seemed O’Neil continued, “ The thing about it was when that this “Great Experiment” was doomed. he sat back and thought about it, he started to It was at the Battle of cry…I said, ‘Don’t cry. Anzio that their luck Just don’t do it anymore.’” would change for the better. In early 1944, the Feeling the shame of their Allies launched a second ignorance is one way that invasion of Italy, south of those who have blind Rome. At initial landing, hatred for a particular the Allies were pounded by group of people come to German artillery. Deter- realize their mistakes. mined to push the Ameri- However, nothing will cans back into the water, change a person’s mind the Germans unloaded like seeing the true char- everything they had onto acter of a man in action. the small beachhead. On In battle, it does not January 27th, 1944, the matter who is fighting next Tuskegee Airmen were to you, so long as he is ordered to shoot down any fighting. What the Afri- approaching enemy planes can-American soldiers of African-American women played an and guard the beachhead World War II needed was a important role in the armed forces during at all costs. chance to prove themselves World War II. These WACS were the first in battle. They would get contingent of black women ever to be That morning the patrols their chance. assigned to an overseas station, serving in encountered fifteen German England as part of the United States Postal pilots on their way to attack As 1943 wore on, fighting in Unit for the entire European Theater of the beachhead. The Ger- Europe began to escalate Operations. man FW 190’s were much and the 99th Pursuit Squad- faster than the American P- ron from Tuskegee was 40s, so the men of the 99th ordered to Africa. In their first few months in realized that they would need to use all of their Africa, the men of the 99th saw little of their skill to prevent disaster. Throughout the battle, white countrymen. Again, they were mainly kept the American pilots continually outmaneuvered off by themselves. During their first mission, the Germans, and the kills began to add up: one flying escort in the bombing of the enemy island kill…then two…then two more… At the end of of Pantelleria, the 99th performed admirably. the day, nine enemy plans had been confirmed as However, some would claim that the 99th became shot down, with an additional two listed as disorganized and showed no discipline, a claim probable, and at least four more damaged. It was that to this day, those who were there have one of the most impressive displays of flying in worked to refute. Though Pantelleria fell, the role the entire war. of the 99th was left unreported. In succeeding engagements there would be similar reports of Benjamin O. Davis would later say, “Initially, the disorganization and failure. Other units in Africa 99th was not well received in the Mediterranean remained skeptical of the 99th at best, and many 24 theater. But after they had been there a few months, the victories over two days at the Anzio his knife, and cut the rope free, saving every single beachhead proved to everybody, that not only Marine aboard. Both Taylor and Addison received could blacks fly airplanes, but they could fly the Silver Star. successfully in combat opera- tions.” The Japanese were adept at using psychological warfare, and put it Davis was more than right. The to their best use against the Tuskegee Airmen would go on to African-Americans at Iwo Jima. become some of the most suc- In an effort to turn the Ameri- cessful pilots in the United States cans against each other, radio military over the following broadcasts were beamed toward decades. Colonel Charles McGee the American lines. Frederick would fly 409 missions in World Gray, an African-American War II, Korea, and Vietnam; the serving at Iwo Jima, remembers: highest three-war total in Air Force history. Daniel James The amphibious “ducks” used at “There was this lady, Tokyo Iwo Jima became the first black officer in Rose. She would come on every the history of the United States morning and ask us, (I mean the military to obtain the rank of Four-Star General. black soldiers), ‘Why are you all fighting us? In At a memorial dedication a few years ago, his son, your own country you cannot go to a restaurant, Major General Daniel James III, said, you have to go out a back door; you are “To those of us who came after them, being lynched in the south. We are your they made a great, great difference. I friends; we are not your enemies. We stand here today, the proud son of a don’t want to kill you; we want to kill proud and patriotic father.” the Marines, the whites. They’re the ones who are mistreating you.’ We took As the Tuskegee Airmen were building a that with a grain of salt because we reputation for their skill and bravery, on knew that they were trying to use psy- the other side of the world, African- chological warfare on us, so it did not American soldiers were playing a key work.” part in one of the bloodiest battles of the war: Iwo Jima. Gray would continue,

Most African-American soldiers “The racial situation, by and large, I serving on Iwo Jima were equipment Frederick Gray, Age 20, would say was great. As George operators. Many drove the six- at Iwo Jima Patton would say, ‘War is hell.’ With a wheeled transport vehicle that could few exceptions, you would become operate on land and water, often closer in battle than in any time you called a “duck.” During an incredibly fierce battle, can imagine.” a duck loaded with white Marines was being driven to shore by Louis Addison and Horace Battle was where men could prove themselves as Taylor, two black men from a segregated unit. As equals. Like the Tuskegee Airmen, the 761st Tank the duck made its way toward land, its propeller Battalion, known as the “Black Panthers,” gained a twisted up with a rope tied to a ship, causing the reputation as fierce and loyal fighters whom any duck to lurch. The vehicle full of Marines was in soldier would be proud to fight alongside. In danger of flipping over, killing all aboard, while at October of 1944, the 761st landed in France, ready the same time was a sitting target for the Japanese. for combat. The “Black Panthers” fought in 30 Addison dove to the back of the duck, pulled out 25 engagements in six European countries. A period of 183 days of continuous combat marked the served in World War II were not gods or angels. longest stretch of combat of any other unit in the They were fallible, like the rest of us. They were war. human. Some succeeded due to their character and virtue. Some failed under General George Patton, who the strain and burden of the would only accept the best in his pressures they felt. What is most Third Army, personally requested important however, is one the 761st. characteristic that they all had in common: They were all Ameri- “We went into combat on the 6th cans. of November in 1944, and just about a day before that is when Works consulted for this article he came up and made his famous include two excellent histories of speech to us,” Tanker Joseph Four years before his death in African-American service in our Kayhoe would recall of Patton. 2002, General Benjamin O. nation’s history: Red Tails, Black Davis, Jr. was awarded his fourth “He didn’t care what color we Wings, by John B. Holway, Yucca star by President Clinton. Davis were, as long as we went out and now rests with so many of our Tree Press and The Right to Fight killed the “Kraut SOB’s.” heroes in Arlington National by Gerald Astor, Presidio Press Cemetary. Kayhoe later said, “Then we went up to the Battle of the WWII Bulge. We saw absolutely no segregation in the front lines. When we got up to the front lines, it looked like all blood was the Spotlight on Interns same.”

The great patriot and aviation pioneer Benjamin This summer the World War II Veterans Committee O. Davis, Jr. died, ironically, on July 4, 2002 at the welcomed into its office Hunter Scott, who continued age of 89. At the time he left the Air Force, he his service with the had risen to the rank of Lieutenant General, Committee as an wearing three stars. In 1998, President Clinton intern. Hunter has been a familiar face at awarded General Davis his fourth star, elevating the World War II him to the rank of full general. Veterans Committee, serving as National “General Davis is here today as living proof that a Youth Spokesman person can overcome adversity and discrimination, since 2002, contribut- achieve great things, turn skeptics into believers; ing his “Speak Out” and through example and perseverance, one column in every issue of World War II Chronicles. person can bring truly extraordinary change,” Hunter originally gained fame in his research and work Clinton said. in persuading Congress to exonerate the court- martialed Charles McVay of the USS Indianapolis. General Davis did overcome adversity and dis- This summer Hunter has done extensive research on baseball in World War II which will be turned into a crimination, and it was his example that led the television documentary. He has also given numerous Tuskegee Airmen during their early trials to help speeches around the Washington area on his experi- them to achieve immortality over the skies of ences with the story of the Indianapolis. Hunter is North Africa and Europe. Davis is indicative of from Cantonment, Florida, and will be a Freshman at so many who were driven to succeed, no matter the University of North Carolina in the fall. the costs. The African-American soldiers who 26 The World War II Book Club Featuring Newly published books about WWII

The Golden Thirteen Red Tails, Black Wings: Edited by Paul Stillwell By John Holway (Naval Institute Press, 304 pages; $36.95) (Yucca Tree Press, 345 pages; $19.00 (paperback)

The Golden Thirteen can be summed up by George C. Cooper’s John Holway is best known for his books on baseball’s Negro quotation of Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for Leagues and such legends as Satchel Paige evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” This and Josh Gibson. In Red Tails Black collection of stories, written by the veterans Wings, Holway brings us the story of the themselves, recounts the trials and tri- Tuskegee Airmen, the great experiment umphs of the first black naval officers in to train black pilots at the famed school the United States Navy. Often subject to founded by Booker T. Washington. ridicule and denied the respect given to While many hoped and believed that the officers, these thirteen men were driven by would-be pilots would fail, certain that the belief that if they did not accept the black men did not have the capacity to challenge, they could not count on anyone serve as combat fighter pilots, the else to. Men like Cooper, James Hair, John Airmen proved that they were more than Reagan, Graham E. Martin, and Samuel E. up to the task. In fact, the 332nd Barnes were chosen to be officers because they had not only Squadron (the Red Tails) compiled one of the most impressive proven their worth in the Navy, but were successful in life. records of any group of fighters in the war, never losing a Edited by Paul Stillwell and with a foreword by General Colin single bomber that they escorted to enemy fire. Full of Powell, The Golden Thirteen is a testament to men who never interviews with the Airmen and vivid accounts of combat and sought fame or glory. Like most who achieve greatness, these training, Holway brings to life the challenges faced by the pilots. officers realized that history had chosen them, and it was their They knew that in order to succeed, they had to be better than duty to serve. the best. Months of some of the most intense training in the history of our armed forces preceded their arrival in the theater of war. And yet at the same time they were faced with verbal, mental, and physical intimidation by those who were deter- mined to see them fail. However, as John Holway clearly Blood for Dignity demonstrates, they did not fail, and went on to become some By David P. Colley of the most legendary heroes our armed forces has produced. (St. Martin’s Press, 224 pages; $24.95) Red Tails Black Wings is the great book on a group of men that must never be forgotten.

For a wide view of African-American service in World War II, David Colley’s Blood for Dignity is a must-read. Focusing on the “5th of K,” the first black unit integrated Honoring Sergeant Carter with a white infantry company since the by Allene G. Carter and Robert L. Allen American Revolution, Blood for Dignity (Amistad, 211 pages; $23.95) recounts the struggles the men faced in Europe…and at home. Colley fills his More than anything, Honoring Sergeant book with graphic personal accounts from Carter is a story of family. This quick, heroes like Bruce Wright, James Strawder, easy read focuses on the life of Sergeant and Richard Ralston, who were willing to Eddie Carter, a hero of the Battle of the give their lives for their country at a time Bulge whose gallantry was forgotten and when many Americans treated them as reputation smeared in the years follow- second-class citizens. Often tense, some- ing World War II. Fifty-two years after times humorous, and always enthralling, Blood for Dignity the battle, and many years after his pre- illustrates the bond that grows between men in times of war. mature death, Sergeant Carter’s heroics Though back in America many of these soldiers would have were finally recognized with the Medal never been friends with white men, in the “5th of K” they of Honor. His battlefield honor restored, found themselves fighting with…and for…each other. Sergeant Carter’s daughter-in-law whom he never met sought to vindicate his reputation. Allene Carter’s Colley’s story is necessary reading for anyone who wishes to 27 learn more about the integration of our armed services. account not only tells the story of an American hero, it demon- strates the strength of the bonds of family. World War II Veterans Committee NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE A Project of The American Studies Center PAID WALDORF, MD 1030 15th St., NW, Suite 856 PERMIT NO. 30 Washington, D.C. 20005

forward, who will be satisfied with those wide steel. We promise that when once again men seek extreme of poverty and wealth in which the seeds profit at your expense, we shall remember how of another war can breed. We promise you, our you looked when we placed you reverently, departed comrades: this too we will not permit. lovingly, in the ground. This war has been fought by the common man; its fruits of peace must be enjoyed by the common Thus do we memorialize those who, having ceased man! We promise, by all that is sacred and holy, living with us, now live within us. Thus do we that your sons, the sons of miners and millers, the consecrate ourselves the living to carry on the sons of farmers and workers, will inherit from struggle they began. Too much blood has gone your death the right to a living that is decent and into this soil for us to let it lie barren. Too much secure. pain and heartache have fertilized the earth on which we stand. We here solemnly swear: this When the final cross has been placed in the last shall not be in vain! Out of this, and from the cemetery, once again there will be those to whom suffering and sorrow of those who mourn this, will profit is more important than peace, who will come—we promise—the birth of a new freedom insist with the voice of sweet reasonableness and for the sons of man everywhere. appeasement that it is better to trade with the enemies of mankind than, by crushing them, to Amen lose their profit. To you who sleep here silently, we give our promise: we will not listen! We will WWII not forget that some of you who were burnt with oil that came from American wells, that many of you were killed by shells fashioned from American 28