During WWII there was a group of Black American soldiers who drove supply trucks for the military that gave American troops under men like George S. Patton the ability to chase the German troops across France into Germany and total defeat of the Nazi regime under Adolph Hitler. During WWII Blacks were restricted to mostly non-combat roles In the Navy they were mess stewards (cooks) and truck drivers in the Army. The racial attitude of that time in the military was summed up in a statement by the white commander of the 367th Infantry Division he stated. ” As fighting troops, the Negro must be rated as second class material; this is due to primarily to his inferior intelligence and lack of mental and moral qualities.”
141 truck companies and 3000 men were formed into the “Red Ball Express” 75% of the drivers were black. I never saw any black soldiers in the movies and tv shows about WWII. Black men have served in the military of the U.S. since the beginning of this country with little recognition from the public or government of their service to this nation. The movie “Glory” was a wake-up call for me. Then there was the “Red Tails” about the Tuskegee Airmen and what they did to help win the war in Europe. I am proud to have served in the military of my forefathers who gave their all for this country. What they did made America great long before Donald Trump.
