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Fighting for America: Black Soldiers--the Unsung Heroes of World War II
The African-American contribution to winning World War II has never been celebrated as profoundly as in Fighting for America . In this inspirational and uniquely personal tribute, the essential part played by black servicemen and -women in that cataclysmic conflict is brought home.
Here are letters, photographs, oral histories, and rare documents, collected by historian Christopher Moore, the son of two black WWII veterans. Weaving his family history with that of his people and nation, Moore has created an unforgettable tapestry of sacrifice, fortitude, and courage. From the 1,800 black soldiers who landed at Normandy Beach on D-Day, and the legendary Tuskegee Airmen who won ninety-five Distinguished Flying Crosses, to the 761st Tank Battalion who, under General Patton, helped liberate Nazi death camps, the invaluable effort of black Americans to defend democracy is captured in word and image.
Readers will be introduced to many unheralded heroes who helped America win the war, including Dorie Miller, the messman who manned a machine gun and downed four Japanese planes; Robert Brooks, the first American to die in armored battle; Lt. Jackie Robinson, the future baseball legend who faced court-martial for refusing to sit in the back of a military bus; an until now forgotten African-American philosopher who helped save many lives at a Japanese POW camp; even the author’s own his mother, Kay, a WAC when she met his father, Bill, who was part of the celebrated Red Ball Express.
Yet Fighting for America is more than a testimonial; it is also a troubling story of profound contradictions, of a country still in the throes of segregation, of a domestic battleground where arrests and riots occurred simultaneously with foreign service–and of how the war helped spotlight this disparity and galvanize the need for civil rights. Featuring a unique perspective on black soldiers, Fighting for America will move any all who, like the author, owe their lives to those who served.
Here are letters, photographs, oral histories, and rare documents, collected by historian Christopher Moore, the son of two black WWII veterans. Weaving his family history with that of his people and nation, Moore has created an unforgettable tapestry of sacrifice, fortitude, and courage. From the 1,800 black soldiers who landed at Normandy Beach on D-Day, and the legendary Tuskegee Airmen who won ninety-five Distinguished Flying Crosses, to the 761st Tank Battalion who, under General Patton, helped liberate Nazi death camps, the invaluable effort of black Americans to defend democracy is captured in word and image.
Readers will be introduced to many unheralded heroes who helped America win the war, including Dorie Miller, the messman who manned a machine gun and downed four Japanese planes; Robert Brooks, the first American to die in armored battle; Lt. Jackie Robinson, the future baseball legend who faced court-martial for refusing to sit in the back of a military bus; an until now forgotten African-American philosopher who helped save many lives at a Japanese POW camp; even the author’s own his mother, Kay, a WAC when she met his father, Bill, who was part of the celebrated Red Ball Express.
Yet Fighting for America is more than a testimonial; it is also a troubling story of profound contradictions, of a country still in the throes of segregation, of a domestic battleground where arrests and riots occurred simultaneously with foreign service–and of how the war helped spotlight this disparity and galvanize the need for civil rights. Featuring a unique perspective on black soldiers, Fighting for America will move any all who, like the author, owe their lives to those who served.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 22, 2013
So I didn't finish this book. The Library only lets me have e-books for seven days and I have never been able to finish a History book in seven days.
Even so I got far enough to have a read on the book and while I won't be going out and picking it up I liked the presentation that the author chose to display the services of Blacks to America.
While the main focus was Blacks in service of the US military during WWII, the author starts out by showing that Blacks have served in every American conflict since the Reveloution. Something that, while true, doesn't get much play usually.
When getting to the actual Main purpose of the book, it doesn't use an overall approach, but a vignette approach. Telling brief stories about individuals or units that were comprised of Black Troops. Doing this with great attention to detail and not only presenting the event but things that are related to the lead up to it and the aftermath.
With only an occasional technicality to mar a perfectionist view (placing Doris Miller on the West Virginia for example) but these minor errors in detail do nothing to detract from the impressions and affects he is trying to generate. This book would be well worth a look for anyone interested in the impact of Blacks in World War II in the service of the United States.
Also one major upside to this book in relation to others of the type. The author (at least to the point that I read to) didn't overplay or make it see that the contributions of these individuals or units were the only thing that was allowing the Allies to win the war.
All in all an enjoyable read and one that I will be very happy to borrow from the Library again. The only reason that I won't go out and buy it, is that my shelves don't have room for books which I won't be using later for research, so it is all on me, and nothing to do with how good the book is.
July 21, 2022
overt disrespect and racism by white peers, US military AND foreign govts (like Australia, never heard of that)... Black soldiers vying for chances to stupidly throw lives away via feats of bravery to prove worthy of equal treatment... NEVER getting equal treatment or recognition.
September 22, 2023
Executive Order 9981 was issued on July 26, 1948, by President Harry S. Truman. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. This policy shall be put into effect as rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or morale. Thoughout WWII the American military was segregated, with men of color being relgated to the positions of cooks, drivers, mechanics, and other menial positions. When given a chance to fight on the front lines or provide fighter escort for bombing missions they proved they were equal to or better than white military men. The Tuskegee Airmen ( the Redtails ) flew over 15,000 individual missions and shot down 112 enemy airplanes in World War II, according to the National World War II Museum. Oftentimes these Black airmen flew double the number of combat missions as white pilots. Lt. Col. Howard Baugh of the Tuskegee Airmen. Baugh said his father flew 136 combat missions. A popular myth arose during the war—and persisted afterwards—that in more than 200 escort missions, the Tuskegee Airmen had never lost a bomber. The truth wasn’t uncovered until years later, when a detailed analysis found that enemy aircraft shot down at least 25 bombers they escorted.
Nonetheless, that was a much better success rate than other escort groups of the 15th Air Force, which lost an average of 46 bombers. The 761st Tank Battalion was a separate tank battalion of the United States Army during World War II. The 761st were known as the Black Panthers after their distinctive unit insignia, which featured a black panther's head, and the unit's motto was "Come out fighting". During the war, the unit received a Presidential Unit Citation for its actions. In addition, a large number of individual members also received medals, including one Medal of Honor, eleven Silver Stars and approximately 300 Purple Hearts. The most famous member of the 761st was First Lieutenant Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson. This excellent book calls attention to these fighting groups and to individual heroes of color. Highly recommend. Kristi & Abby Tabby
Nonetheless, that was a much better success rate than other escort groups of the 15th Air Force, which lost an average of 46 bombers. The 761st Tank Battalion was a separate tank battalion of the United States Army during World War II. The 761st were known as the Black Panthers after their distinctive unit insignia, which featured a black panther's head, and the unit's motto was "Come out fighting". During the war, the unit received a Presidential Unit Citation for its actions. In addition, a large number of individual members also received medals, including one Medal of Honor, eleven Silver Stars and approximately 300 Purple Hearts. The most famous member of the 761st was First Lieutenant Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson. This excellent book calls attention to these fighting groups and to individual heroes of color. Highly recommend. Kristi & Abby Tabby
May 24, 2018
I read this book because I’m fascinated with WWII history. I only knew of events surrounding Hitler and I wanted to know if events that affected African Americans. This was a horrible time for persons of color on the home front and fighting in a segregated military. I’m amazed at all of the letters and documents from those up close and personal. I would recommend this to anyone who loves history and anyone who wants any type of knowledge how it felt to be Black in the military during WWII.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews