History shows that the armed forces in WWII were segregated and the majority of blacks in that time were not allowed to fight. They were delegated to mess stewards and manual labor units. The armed services were not desegregated until 1946 when Truman did so under executive order. Even then, it took time to complete.
In some of the videos of Iwo, some Black soldiers were interviewed. They drove the DUKW, the transport.
>History shows that the armed forces in WWII were segregated and the majority of blacks in that time were not allowed to fight.
That's pretty much what my Dad told me. He fought in WWII in Sicily, Italy and France in the 3rd Infantry Division. He earned two bronze stars and several unit citations. He said black soldiers would mock them when they headed out to battle.
When I was in the service during the Korean War [1950-1952] I never saw an integrated unit, although I had heard that there were a [very] few around.
My great-uncle was on Okinawa with the Marines. He certainly was not doing 'mess' duty then.
As one who was on a Carrier off Iwo Jima..you are so
right...Blacks were not that involved because of the
separaton of Units,etc. Most people read this headline
and think that racism is the reason....so many that
don't know their a$$ about History, and that includes
WWll, and those that consider themselves experts....
Clint and his advisors would do well to ignore these
type of innuendos..let the bastards hang in the wind
before they get the rope cut...Jake
And the first desegregated military unit was....???
The Arizona Air National Guard, under the command of Col. Barry Goldwater. And it happened at his express request.