Research Catalog

Title

Proud warriors : African American combat units in World War II / by Alexander M. Bielakowski.

Author

Bielakowski, Alexander M.

Publication

• Denton, Texas : University of North Texas Press, [2021]
• ©2021

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xiv, 335 pages : illustrations (back and white), maps; 24 x 16 cm.

Summary

"During World War II, tens of thousands of African Americans served in segregated combat units in U.S. armed forces. The majority of these units were found in the U.S. Army, and African Americans served in every one of the combat arms. They found opportunities for leadership unparalleled in the rest of American society at the time. Several reached the field grade officer ranks, and one officer reached the rank of brigadier general. Beyond the Army, the Marine Corps refused to enlist African Americans until ordered to do so by the president in June 1942, and two African American combat units were formed and did see service during the war. While the U.S. Navy initially resisted extending the role of African American sailors beyond kitchens, eventually the crew of two ships was composed exclusively of African Americans. The Coast Guard became the first service to integrate-initially with two shipboard experiments and then with the integration of most of their fleet. Finally, the famous Tuskegee airmen are covered in the chapter on air warfare. Proud Warriors makes the case that the wartime experiences of combat units such as the Tank Battalions and the Tuskegee Airmen ultimately convinced President Truman to desegregate the military, without which the progress of the Civil Rights Movement might also have been delayed"--

Series Statement

Number 6 in the American military studies series

Uniform Title

American military studies ; no. 6.

Subject

• 1939-1945
• World War, 1939-1945 > Participation, African American
• Discrimination in the military > United States
• African American soldiers > Social conditions
• African Americans > Segregation
• Armed Forces > African American officers
• Armed Forces > African American troops
• Discrimination in the military
• Military participation > African American
• United States > Armed Forces > African American troops
• United States > Armed Forces > African American officers
• United States

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

Section I: Before World War II -- African Americans in the U.S. Armed Forces, 1775-1941 -- Section II: Grunts -- Infantry -- U.S. Marine Corps -- Section III: Combat Arms at a Distance -- Field Artillery -- Coast/Antiaircraft Artillery -- Section IV: Mobile Warfare and Mechanical Proficiency -- Cavalry -- Armored Force -- Tank Destroyers -- Section V: Sea Services and Technical Knowledge -- U.S. Navy -- U.S. Coast Guard -- Section VI: Officers, Pilots, and Skilled Experts -- Air Corps/Air Forces -- Section VII: Conclusions -- Post-World War II.

Call Number

Sc E 22-641

ISBN

• 9781574418392
• 1574418394

LCCN

2021028044

OCLC

1256628783

Author

Bielakowski, Alexander M., author.

Title

Proud warriors : African American combat units in World War II / by Alexander M. Bielakowski.

Publisher

Denton, Texas : University of North Texas Press, [2021]

Copyright Date

©2021

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Series

Number 6 in the American military studies series

American military studies ; no. 6.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Chronological Term

1939-1945

Other Form:

Online version: Bielakowski, Alexander M. Proud warriors. Denton, Texas : University of North Texas Press, 2021 9781574418491 (DLC) 2021028045

Research Call Number

Sc E 22-641