Happy 101st Birthday

How about just a 101 birthday to an Army Nurse

 

Considering the history of segregation (German POWs had better rail transportation than "Colored" GIs) in the US Army at the time, I'm comfortable with the idea of celebrating the birthday of a first.

 

I agree with the Squire. The woman penetrated a previously impenetrable wall of segregation. But note the insignia on her uniform. All white nurses were commissioned as officers upon receiving their pin (see her cover), but the black nurses remained enlisted. That has since changed, but it still is a poor reflection on the Army which was supposed to be above such nonsense.

 

At times during WWII, African-Americans had to fight more than the Axis. At least, they theoretically could shoot at the Axis. I say theoretically conventional US Army doctrine held "Negros" weren't fit for combat duty.

 

There were 7 African-American soldiers who received the Medal of Honor. But it took until 1996 for the Army to get around to presenting them, and then only after an act of congress.

By then only one of the recipients was still living. The other 6 were awarded posthumously.

 

Yeup, thanks to Jim Crow, the US military fought at less than its full potential.