Ebook: The Black Panthers: a story of race, war, and courage: the 761st Tank Battalion in World War II
Author: DiNicolo Gina M
- Tags: African American soldiers, African American soldiers--History--20th century, Armed Forces--African American troops, Military campaigns, Military participation--African American, Regimental histories, Tank warfare, World War 1939-1945--Campaigns--Europe, World War 1939-1945--Participation African American, World War 1939-1945--Regimental histories--United States, World War 1939-1945--Tank warfare, Biography, History, United States. -- Army. -- Tank Battalion 761st -- History, United States. -- Army -- A
- Year: 2014
- Publisher: Westholme Publishing
- City: Europe;United States
- Language: English
- epub
In a Segregated Military, the African American Armored Unit That Helped Patton Check the German Advance, Close the Rhine Ring, and Spearhead a New Postwar Army
Known primarily for being the first African American armored unit to see combat in World War II and as future baseball star Jackie Robinson's onetime outfit, the 761st Tank Battalion was forged in a devil's cauldron of heat and prejudice at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. Here, most viewed the tankers as tokens in a racial experiment, rather than as fellow American soldiers who would actually be deployed to fight a common enemy. Led by a small cadre of white and black officers, the 761st trained to the pinnacle of its craft. The Black Panthers, as they soon were called, proved their battle prowess against other units bound for combat on the parched Texas training fields.