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Sgt Williams

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France 1943
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762x1422px 1.2 MB
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riverine69's avatar
Very nice work.

Not a criticism, but a sad comment on history. Very few African-Americans were allowed in front-line infantry units during WW2, but they were allowed in mortar platoons and transportation corps. Segregation was still in effect in the army of 1943, and although when these so-called "second-class" troops came under fire or were attacked, they fought as bravely and skillfully as their white comrades. It was unnecessary as black soldiers had already proved themselves in the 92nd infantry in WW1, fighting with French commanders and had earned a reputation as tough and fearless. And, as evidenced in the new film "Red Tails", black fighter pilots when they were finally allowed into air combat had an outstanding record of protecting the bomber groups they were assigned to escort

A shameful time in our history, which President Truman put an end to when the military was desegregated in 1948