![]() The most famous member of the battalion was Lieutenant Jack "Jackie" Robinson, who would spearhead the integration of professional baseball shortly after completing his military service. The 761st "Black Panther" Tank Battalion was organized in April 1942 and saw action from October 1944 until Germany's surrender, most notably in the Battle of the Bulge. Jenkins of New York City for conspicuous gallantry during the liberation of Chateaudun, France. In this picture, taken on 13 October 1944, Patton pins the Silver Star on Private Ernest A. With characteristic flair, Patton told his men before going into combat: "I don't care what color you are as long as you go up there and kill those Kraut sons of bitches." Above all, the general respected toughness and courage. Nevertheless, in 1944 Patton requested command of the first black tank unit, the 761st "Black Panther" Tank Battalion. Like many of his fellow Army commanders, he was ambivalent about the complete integration of black soldiers into the military and sometimes expressed doubts about the suitability of black troops. Patton, nicknamed "Old Blood and Guts," was one of the most famous American generals of WWII. Her advocacy brought national attention to the Airmen and helped them gain crucial support among the military establishment in Washington. ![]() Eleanor Roosevelt also actively supported the Tuskegee Airmen, visiting the Tuskegee Air Corps Advanced Flying School in Alabama and flying with Charles "Chief" Anderson, a student pilot, for over an hour. The First Lady was a friend of social reformer and civil rights advocate Mary Mcleod Bethune, helping Bethune to forge a close relationship with President Roosevelt and to advocate her cause at the highest levels of government. Roosevelt advocated strongly for increased rights for women and African Americans during her time in the White House and throughout her life. This photograph shows First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in New York City on 12 January 1942, mingling with soldiers at a pageant paying tribute to African Americans' contributions to America. Moore.Ĭourtesy of Library of Congress, New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection. Thomas and Private First Class Joseph Jackson posed with some "Easter Eggs" specially prepared for Hitler. On Easter morning, 10 March 1945, Technician Fifth Grade William E. The presence of African Americans on the front lines of the struggle to destroy the abominable Nazi regime is therefore especially gratifying. Some fled to escape this fate, while those few who remained were deprived of education or employment, sometimes surviving by working as actors or in circuses. ![]() To prevent racial mixing, many black Germans were sterilized or sent to concentration camps. Nazi Germany's racial policies targeted a number of so-called "inferior" groups, among them people of African descent, that were considered to be degenerate influences on the superior Aryan race. Tragically, he was among 644 men killed on 24 November 1943, when the escort carrier Liscome sank during the battle for Makin. Miller ultimately returned to active duty as a petty officer and participated in the battle of Tarawa. The story of his heroism fueled the aspirations of other black sailors and the African American community at large, and he spoke before large audiences throughout the United States. Miller became the first African American to receive the Cross, the Navy's second highest honor, from Admiral Chester W. Despite this selfless act of courage and heroism, Miller was largely ignored for months after the attack, until protests in the black press led President Roosevelt to nominate him for the Navy Cross. He shot down two enemy aircraft, firing until he ran out of ammunition. Bennion to a safer place and, despite having no combat training, turned one of the ship's 50mm guns against the attacking Japanese planes. In the ensuing chaos, Miller carried the mortally wounded Captain Mervyn S. On the morning of 7 December 1941 Miller was collecting the officers' laundry on the battleship West Virginia when Japanese torpedoes struck the ship. Born Doris Miller to sharecroppers in Waco, Texas, he joined the Navy in September 1939 and was assigned to the steward's branch, where he worked as a mess attendant. This poster shows Dorie Miller, hero of Pearl Harbor. ![]() Miscellaneous Occupations and Realms of Renownīefore 1400: The Ancient and Medieval Worldsġ400–1774: The Age of Exploration and the Colonial Eraġ775–1800: The American Revolution and Early Republicġ801–1860: The Antebellum Era and Slave Economyġ877–1928: The Age of Segregation and the Progressive Eraġ929–1940: The Great Depression and the New Dealġ941–1954: WWII and Postwar Desegregation Exploration, Pioneering, and Native Peoples
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