Records of Military Agencies Relating 

to African Americans from the 

Post-World War I Period to the Korean War

NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS A DMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON , DC

REVISED 2006

R EFERENCE I NFORMATION P APER 105
Records of Military Agencies Relating 

to African Americans from the 

Post-World War I Period to the Korean War

COMPILED BY

LISHA B. PENN

REFERENCE I NFORMATION PAPER 105

NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON, DC

Revised 2006 
United States. National Archives and Records Administration.

Records of military agencies relating to African Americans from the post World

War I period to the Korean War/compiled by Lisha B. Penn.—Washington, DC:

National Archives and Records Administration, revised 2006.

166 p.; 28 cm.—(Reference information paper 105)

Includes index.

1. United States—Armed Forces—Afro-Americans—History—20th century—

Sources. 2. Afro-American soldiers—History—20th century—Sources. 

3. Afro-American sailors—History— 20th century—Sources. I. United States.

National Archives and Records Administration. II. Title III. Series

42303670 

COVER: “On parade, the 41st Engineers at Ft. Bragg, NC, in color guard ceremony.”
Contents

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Part I

I NTRODUCTION

Scope of the Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Overview of Pertinent Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Principles of Arrangement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

How to Use This Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Part II

A I R F ORCE C LUSTER

RG 18 Records of the Army Air Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

RG 340 Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

RG 341 Records of Headquarters United States Air Force (Air Staff) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Part III

O L D A RMY C LUSTER

RG 77 Records of the Office of the Chief of Engineers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

RG 92 Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

RG 107 Records of the Office of the Secretary of War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

RG 111 Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

RG 112 Records of the Office of the Surgeon General (Army) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

RG 156 Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

RG 159 Records of the Office of the Inspector General (Army) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

RG 165 Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

RG 168 Records of the National Guard Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

RG 247 Records of the Office of the Chief of Chaplains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

RG 391 Records of the United States Regular Army Mobile Units, 1821–1942. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

iii
iv

Part IV

M O DERN A R M Y C L USTER

RG 160 Records of Headquarters Army Service Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

RG 319 Records of the Army Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

RG 335 Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

RG 336 Records of the Office of the Chief of Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

RG 337 Records of Headquarters Army Ground Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

RG 338 Records of the U.S. Army, Operational, Tactical, and 

Support Organizations (World War II and Thereafter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

RG 389 Records of the Office of the Provost Marshal General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

RG 407 Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1917– . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

RG 492 Records of Mediterranean Theater of Operations, 

United States Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

RG 493 Records of U.S. Army Forces in the China-Burma-India 

Theater of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

RG 498 Records of Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, 

United States Army (World War II) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

RG 547 Records of U.S. Army Forces in Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

RG 549 Records of United States Army, Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

RG 554 Records of General Headquarters, Far East Command, 

Supreme Commander Allied Powers, and United Nations Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Part V

D EFENSE AND R ELATED A CTIVITIES C LUSTER

RG 225 Records of Joint Army and Navy Boards and Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

RG 330 Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94 

Part VI

O L D N AVY / M ODERN N AVY C LUSTER

RG 24 Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

RG 38 Records of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

RG 52 Records of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

RG 80 General Records of the Department of the Navy, 1798–1947 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

RG 127 Records of the United States Marine Corps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104

Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

Appendix: List of Pertinent NARA Regional Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Preface

REFERENCE INFORMATION PAPER NO. 105 

This reference information paper (RIP) describes records about African American military participation in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War held at the National

Archives’ facilities in Washington, DC, and College Park, MD. 

Six decades ago, the National Archives began publishing reference information papers

as part of a comprehensive descriptive program designed to help people find their way

through the voluminous records in our holdings. Related topics addressed in other publications are Black History: A Guide to Civilian Records in the National Archives; Guide to

Records Relating to U.S. Military Participation in World War II; A Woman’s War Too: U.S.

Women in the Military in World War II; American Women and the U.S. Armed Forces: A

Guide to the Records of Military Agencies in the National Archives Relating to American

Women; Pictures of African Americans During World War II (Select Audiovisual List 1, rev.

1998); Data Relating to Negro Military Personnel in the 19th Century (RIP 63, 1973);

Audiovisual Records in the National Archives of the United States Relating to World War II

(RIP 70, rev. 1992); and Black Family Research: Records of Post–Civil War Federal Agencies

at the National Archives (RIP 108, rev. 2006). The National Archives and Records

Administration’s web site, www.archives.gov, offers access to more sources for military

research as well as to the Archival Research Catalog (ARC), the online catalog of NARA’s

nationwide holdings.

As the nation’s record keeper, NARA safeguards records of all three branches of the

Federal Government. NARA meets an almost unlimited range of information needs, ensuring access to records on which both the credibility of government and the accuracy of history depend. We welcome any comments you may have on the information products and

services NARA provides. You may e-mail your message to inquire@nara.gov.

Allen Weinstein

Archivist of the United States

1
Part I

Introduction

SCOPE OF THE PAPER

I.1 This reference information paper provides descriptions of more than 145 series of 

textual records that include information about African American service men and women

from the period extending from the end of World War I through the Korean War. The

boundaries of coverage were determined by a recognition that (1) successful efforts have

been made to describe the records on this topic created prior to and during World War I

and (2) the filing practices of military organizations that isolated records relating to race

changed with the full integration of the U.S. Armed Forces during the Korean War. The

paper focuses on textual records in archival facilities in the Washington, DC, area where

most records relating to military policy and practice are housed. However, the paper

includes an appendix with references to records in regional facilities of the National

Archives and Records Administration (NARA) that document activities at several military

installations where African Americans were assigned. The paper does not cover audiovisual records, again because relevant finding aids are already available for these records.

I.2 Descriptive entries in this paper cover Federal records in the National Archives of the

United States as of August 1, 1996. Most of the records date from the period 1941–50, but

there are references to materials dating as early as 1915 and as late as 1964. In identifying

pertinent materials, the compiler benefitted from the consistent filing practices of military

organizations. Prior to July 1948, when Executive Order 9981 required a racially integrated

armed forces, most Army records relating to African Americans and other ethnic groups

were filed under the War Department decimal file number 291.2 (Race). The Navy and

Marine Corps adopted a similar filing practice, using file codes P1-4 and 1535-110 respectively. Records described in this publication are serviced by the textual reference units in

the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, and the National Archives at College

Park, College Park, MD.

I.3 The compiler of this paper has sought to make it as inclusive as possible for the period

covered, but it is not an exhaustive historical account or product. It supplements other

NARA finding aids that provide information about African Americans in the military. These

other finding aids include Reference Information Paper No. 63, Data Relating to Negro

Military Personnel in the 19th Century; A Woman’s War Too: U.S.Women in the Military in

World War II; Black History:A Guide to Civilian Records in the National Archives; Guide to

Records Relating to U.S. Military Participation in World War II; American Women and the

U.S.Armed Forces:A Guide to the Records of Military Agencies in the National Archives

Relating to American Women; Select Audiovisual Records: Pictures of African Americans

During World War II; and Audiovisual Records in the National Archives of the United States

Relating to World War II. In addition, researchers may wish to consult finding aids at the following National Archives’ presidential libraries as they may contain relevant materials relating to African Americans in the military for the designated period: Dwight D. Eisenhower

Library, Herbert Hoover Library, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, and Harry S. Truman Library.

3
4

OVERVIEW OF PERTINENT RECORDS

I.4 The research methodology utilized by the compiler consisted of two approaches: an

extensive examination and review of the current Guide to Federal Records in the National

Archives of the United States (1995 edition) to ascertain archival series pertinent to the

topic, and consultation with numerous staff reference archivists having subject matter

expertise with the relevant records. A list was compiled of the series relating to African

Americans in the military for the designated time period that was based on these research

approaches. Topics contained in the paper regard the participation, training, and treatment

of African American men and women in the U.S. Army, Army Air Force, Navy, and Marine

Corps who were chaplains, doctors, enlisted personnel, military policemen, nurses, officers, and pilots. Moreover, it documents race relations, racial incidents and disturbances,

war atrocities, allegations of police brutality, courts-martial, and surveillances by the military and Federal Bureau of Investigation of military personnel and civilians. The records

also document Congressional inquiries and interactions of various historically black colleges, sororities and fraternities, newspapers, parents, military personnel, general public,

and civic and civil rights organizations with the President, the Congress, and the armed

services. During World War II especially, African Americans had to combat the enemy

overseas and confront racism on the homefront. Many of them saw the irony in fighting

for the “four freedoms” while simultaneously enduring discrimination. Despite such factors, more than 2.5 million African American men and women served in the U.S. military

while other blacks worked in many of the war industries.1

PRINCIPLES OF ARRANGEMENT

I.5 All records described in this publication are arranged in cluster order (homogeneously

grouped records) such as Modern Army and thereunder by record group. Although some

record groups may contain records of more than one cluster—Record Group 77, Records

of the Office of the Chief of Engineers, for example contains records from the Old Army

and Modern Army clusters—they are listed only under one cluster in this finding aid. NARA

arranges its holdings according to the archival principle of provenance. This principle provides that records be attributed to the agency that created or maintained them and be

arranged thereunder as they were filed when in active use. At NARA, the application of

the principle of provenance takes the form of numbered record groups with each comprising the records of a major government entity, usually a bureau or independent agency.

For example, National Archives Record Group 105 is Records of the Bureau of Refugees,

Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands. 

I.6 Most record groups include records of any predecessors of the organization named in

the title of the record group. Some record groups combine the records of several small or

short-lived agencies having an administrative or functional relationship with each other.

The number assigned to a record group reflects the order in which it was established by

the National Archives. Within each record group, the records of a government agency are

organized into series. Each series is a set of documents arranged according to the creating

office’s filing system or otherwise kept together by the creating office because they relate

to a particular subject or function, result from the same activity, document a specific kind
of transaction, take a particular physical form, or have some other relationship arising out

of their creation, receipt, or use.

I.7 Within each cluster, all record groups contain the Administrative History of the creating

government entity, except for Record Group 338, Records of U.S. Army, Operational,

Tactical, and Support Organizations (World War II and Thereafter). This administrative history documents the statutory provisions from which the governmental unit was created or

abolished and its functions. A special Historical Background accompanies most, but not

all, administrative histories in order to provide the historical context of the records. It is

not however, a comprehensive history of all issues surrounding the employment of African

Americans in the military. Moreover, it should be noted also that the historical context in

which African Americans are referred to as either colored or Negro is reflected in each

series description or historical background segment when applicable.

HOW TO USE THIS PAPER

I.8 Record descriptions usually consist of the following elements: record group number

and title; finding aid number; series title and date span (boldface, lowercase type font);

linear (or cubic) measurement or item count (cited with the series titles); arrangement; and

subject narrative. Please note that entries listed in this publication are not entries within

this finding aid, but refer instead to the original finding aid entry numbers. Researchers,

when requesting records described in this finding aid, should cite the record group number, finding aid number, entry number with series title, records storage location, and box

number(s). 

KEY:

(A) Record group number and title

(B) Agency/program history

(C) Historical overview of records content

(D) Finding aid number

(E) Subgroup heading 

(F) Series title (from Master Location Register of the Office of Records Service); date span; 

linear measurement or item count of pertinent documents

(G) Arrangement or structure of records

(H) File number or title; records storage location (building and stack); box number(s)

(I) Subject narrative of records

I.9 The following example, keyed to descriptive elements, illustrates the basic elements of

the records description.

5
Record Group 160 Records of Headquarters Army Service Forces

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the War Department by General Order 14, War Department, March 12, 1943.

Its immediate predecessor agency the Services of Supply (SOS), 1942–43. The Army

Service Forces (ASF) provided services and supplies to meet military requirements except

those unique to the Army Air Forces. Abolished effective June 11, 1946, implementing

E.O. 9722, May 13, 1946.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

As the ASF (which managed service commands and posts) gained increased responsibility

for Negro troops, it became extremely important to place the prevention of racial tension

high on its list of priorities.

The RG 160 records demonstrate the treatment, training, entertainment, and utilization

of African American soldiers.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NM-25 

RECORDS OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR SERVICE COMMANDS

IV.160.2 Entry 13 Correspondence Files, 1943–45. 5 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 000.5 (Crimes, criminals, offenses, and domestic subversive activities): 

Loc: NAII; 390; 26/17/06; Box 1.

Description: The records pertain to an investigation of the alleged brutal treatment of

Negro Army Pvt. Nelson M. Seals by a civilian policeman in Jackson, MS. Private Seals was

reportedly beaten over the head and about the face with a blackjack. The incident culminated during the arrest of two colored soldiers on charges of drunk and disorderly conduct in which Seals did not participate. His stepfather, Zilford Carter, wrote a letter to the

commanding company officer, Congressman Robert Grant, and the War Department. Carter

noted in his letter “You as a commanding officer of the United States Army . . . should

take a stand against that kind of treatment of Negro soldiers and should further see to it

that the culprits who commit such acts of violence on Negro soldiers, receive just punishment.” Included also is a written statement of Private Seals describing the incident and

affidavits of those involved. The investigative report concluded that Private Seals, whom

his commanding officer believed to be a habitual troublemaker, may have been abused,

but it was denied by the civilian policeman who made the arrest. Contained also in the

file are affidavits of the investigating detective and others involved in the case.

6

A

B

D

E

F

G

H

C

I
Acknowledgments

I.10 The compiler, Lisha B. Penn, wishes to extend her sincere appreciation to the many

National Archives staff members who provided invaluable assistance. Without their assistance, this publication could not have been completed. Special thanks are given to Sharon

Thibodeau for seeing the value and need for creating this product, to Geraldine Phillips

for believing in her capabilities to complete it, and to Ronald Swerczek for enduring the

length of time spent away from her normal work duties. Additionally, special thanks are

given to Patrice Brown, Janis Wiggins, and Wilbert Mahoney for providing indispensable

constructive critiques of the draft manuscript, and to Fe Cojeen for designing the graphics

for the marked up descriptive sample. 

I.11 A debt of gratitude is owed to the numerous reference archivists having tremendous

records expertise for responding to requests for information or pertinent series of military

records concerning African Americans: Walter Hill (Black History specialist); David

Giordano (Air Force); Kenneth Schlessinger (Air Force, Old Army, and Modern Army);

Richard Boylan (Old Army and Modern Army); Frederick Pernell (Old Army and Modern

Army); Mitchell Yockelson (Old Army and Modern Army); Richard Peuser (Old Army);

Charlotte Palmer Seeley (Modern Army); Wilbert Mahoney (Modern Army); and Barry

Zerby (Old Navy). A thank-you is also extended to those who provided information

beyond to the publication’s set time span: Michael Musick (Old Army), and Rebecca

Livingston (Old Navy). The compiler is also grateful to Lawrence MacDonald, Justine

Tolson, Robert Gruber, and Mitchell Stevenson for providing information or additional

sources when learning of the project, and to the countless others who inquired about its

progress. Also, a thank-you is given to Rosanne Butler for coordinating the request to

NARA regional facilities for relevant records to include in the finding aid. Thanks are given

to the many NARA regional staff members for conducting a search of their facilities: Robert

Morris, James Owens, Diana Duff, Peter Schultz, Diane Nixon, Suzanne Dewberry, Gary

Fulton, Daniel Nealand, Susan Karren, Robert Plowman, Martin Tuohy, Dennis Skentzis,

and Eileen Bolger. 

I.12 This publication is dedicated in memory of the countless African American men and

women who served valiantly or lost their lives in all the wars in which the United States

participated but particularly World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. 

7
Part II

Air Force Cluster

Record Group 18 Records of the Army Air Forces

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the War Department, to consist of the Air Force Combat (AFCC) and the Air

Corps, by revisions of Army Regulation 95-5, June 20, 1941. Provided advice and assistance

to the Secretary of War and other elements of the War Department on all aspects of landbased air offense and defense. Coordinated the design, development, and procurement 

of aircraft and equipment. Constructed and maintained air bases and air support facilities.

Provided training and administrative support to Army Air personnel. Abolished by Transfer

Order 1, Office of the Secretary of Defense, September 26, 1947, implementing reorganization provisions of the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 495), July 26, 1947.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Although African Americans had long served in the racially segregated United States Army,

prior to World War II there were no African American pilots in the Army Air Force (AAF)

or its immediate predecessor the Air Corps. The AAF resisted previous efforts to enlist

black airmen with the claim that there were no black pilots in the United States.2 Within

the War Department and the AAF in general, the belief prevailed that black males lacked

the aptitude to be military pilots. It was not until the passage of the Selective Training and

Service Act of 1940 (and pressure exerted from the black community) that the AAF along

with other military services was required to enlist black males in proportion to their total

population (about 10 percent). 

The act of 1940 prohibited discrimination by race or color in the selecting and training of

all males for the armed services. Reacting almost immediately to this new act, the War Department issued its own policy, which stipulated that “the services of Negroes will be utilized

on a fair and equitable basis.”3 At the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7,

1941), the AAF nevertheless was only instructing a small number of African American air cadets at Tuskegee Institute (Tuskegee, AL) under its Civilian Pilot Training Program. The AAF

was the only military service to train African American males in racially segregated facilities.

Upon completion of basic training and advanced training that combined aerobatics and

gunnery, these African American male air cadets, better known as “Tuskegee Airmen,”

were assigned to the newly created 99th Pursuit (later Fighter) Squadron that was based at

nearby Tuskegee Army Air Field. The War Department initially did not intend to use the

99th Pursuit Squadron in battle but wanted instead to send it to the west coast of Africa

(Liberia in particular) to search for German submarines. Nevertheless, several factors

forced the War Department to revisit this issue: Liberia was hesitant to admit Americans

troops within its borders; Judge William H. Hastie resigned as the Civilian Aide to the

8
Secretary of War; and North Africa was invaded, which caused the Army to use African

American tactical fliers against the Germans and Italians.4

Realizing that the 99th lacked experienced pilots and had received no systematic indoctrination upon arrival in North Africa, its training specialist, Col. Philip G. Cochran, assigned

a few black airmen to fly with white units willing to accept them even though it violated

rules governing segregation. Despite racial discrimination and skepticism, the 99th slowly

rounded into shape and scored an aerial victory at the hands of 1st Lt. Charles B. Hall,

who destroyed a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 while patrolling between Sicily and Tunisia. 

As it gained more experience, the 99th squadron sharpened its skills and capabilities at

dive bombing and strafing, and improved its flight discipline and aggressiveness as well.

Following the combat success of the 99th (which first saw action in North Africa), more

African American male AAF units such as the 100th, 301st, and 302d squadrons (combined

to form the 332d Fighter Group) were subsequently formed, trained, and entered into aerial

combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in Europe. African American men were

also trained in other areas such as base security detachments, aviation quartermaster truck

companies, and airbase transportation platoons. 

The history of the Army Air Forces policy governing race and the combat histories of the

African American 99th Fighter Squadron and other units are well documented in the records

of the Army Air Forces, Record Group 18. Moreover, the reactions of the African American

communities to the utilization of black airmen and the opinions of white communities about

having black airmen stationed in their localities are also included in the RG 18 records.

The records of particular interest to researchers are the War Department decimal correspondence files 291.2 (Race); 333 (Inspection); and 353 (Training) as related to African

Americans in the AAF. Researchers will also find the project files of various air fields such

as Tuskegee, MacDill, and Maxwell as pertinent sources for additional information on

African Americans.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NM-6

RECORDS OF HEADQUARTERS ARMY AIR FORCES/OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL

II.18.1 Entry 7a World War II Combat Operations Reports, 1942–46. 3 ft. 6 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by Army Air Force combat group and thereunder

chronologically.

a. 79th Fighter Group. Loc: NAII; 190; 59/11/02; Boxes 2339–2344. 

b. 332d Fighter Group. Loc: NAII; 190; 59/11/05; Boxes 2363–2364.

c. 99th Fighter Squadron. Loc: NAII; 190; 59/23/07; Box 941.

Description: The records consist of consolidated mission or narrative mission reports, daily

operations reports, and statistical summaries for the above-mentioned Negro fighter groups.

They document the type of mission, mission report, time, date, AAF unit providing cover/

protection for, number and weight of bombs aboard, target or area sighted, summary of

results, and the number of sorties completed. 

9
RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION SERVICES/AIR FORCE EDITORIAL OFFICE

II.18.2 Entry 52a Periodicals, 1932–46. 1 vol.

Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.

a. Volume 28, Number 2 (Feb. 1945) Air Force (Official Journal of the U.S. Army Air Force).

Loc: NAII; 190; 62/06/04; Box 7 (pp. 62–63). 

Description: A short article on the 332d Fighter Group, “A picture-reporting job on one of

the Mediterranean’s oldest fighter outfits.”

FINDING AID: NM-53

RECORDS OF HEADQUARTERS ARMY AIR FORCES/OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL

II.18.3 Entry 166 Central Decimal Files, 1917–38 [General Correspondence,

1917–38]. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 322.9 (Negro Detachment). Loc: NAII; 190; 39/27/05; Box 505.

Description: The records relate to authorizations for Negro service detachment schools

such as in artillery and infantry at various air camps and flying school detachments. There

are references to the use of Negro males as laborers, bricklayers, and construction workers, and their temporary assignment to assist the British overseas in 1918. The records also

contain information on the use of Negroes as “aerial observers” but not as pilots during

the post-World War I and pre-World War II era. A recommendation was made that replies

to inquires regarding the possible use of Negroes as pilots should stipulate that the

Aviation Service was not presently organizing or contemplating any colored squadrons.

II.18.4 Entry 292a Central Decimal Files [General Correspondence], Oct. 1942–May

1944. 1 ft. 6 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 190; 53/14/02; Box 529. 

Description: The records relate to training and training schools, public opposition to establishing Negro units in certain communities (such as Spokane, WA), and incidents of racial

discrimination against Negro troops and Negro officers stationed at certain Army airfields

such as Randolph Field, TX, and others. Also contained in the files are investigative

reports and accident reports. 

b. Decimal File 333.1 (Miscellaneous). File labeled Tuskegee, Ala/Tuskegee Army Air Field.

Loc: NAII; 190; 53/24/02; Box 785.

10
Description: The records concern the communication and technical inspections of colored

troops at Tuskegee Army Air Field (one inspection was done by Brig. Gen. Benjamin O.

Davis); and the training of colored pilots in reports that cite irregularities and deficiencies

and conclusions and recommendations.

c. Decimal File 353 (Training Misc.). Loc: NAII; 190; 53/26/03; Boxes 888–889.

Description: The records pertain to the training of Negro troops (aviation cadets) at various Army airfields, and to the transfer and assignment of such troops once trained. There

are references to the partially trained enlisted Negro men being retained at Kessler Field,

MS; an outline of requirements for the Negro program; and a conference at Tuskegee in

which Negro college presidents were invited to discuss formulating plans for integrating

aviation education into public schools and colleges.

II.18.5 Entry 294a Central Decimal Files, Oct. 1942–1944 [Security-Classified

General Correspondence, Oct. 1942–Dec. 1944]. 10 in.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 190; 54/18/02; Boxes 103–104.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

Description: The records are mostly concerned with allegations of discrimination lodged

by Negro troops at various airfields such as Carlsbad, NM; Stockton, CA; Amarillo, TX;

Sioux Falls, SD; Westover, MA; and Selfridge, MI; and subsequent reports following the

investigations of such allegations. There are references to race riots at Camp Van Dorn,

MS; Camp Stewart, GA; March Field, CA; and Fort Bliss, TX; training and assigning Negro

troops; and the resignation of Judge William H. Hastie as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of

War. They also contain information on the “Negro Fighter Program” (especially the 99th

and the 332d), and opposition to or support for the presence of Negro soldiers in mostly

white communities.

II.18.6 Entry 294b Bulky Files, Oct. 1942–1944 [Security-Classified General

Correspondence, Oct. 1942–Dec. 1944]. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 190; 55/04/03; Box 54.

Description: The records are mostly concerned with allegations of discriminatory treatment

of Negro soldiers at various Army airfields such as MacDill, FL; Brooks Field, TX; and

Westover Field, MA. 

II.18.7 Entry 295 Project Files: Air Fields, 1939–42. 1 ft. 2 in.

Note: Because only a sampling of project files are described in this finding aid, researchers

should consult other AAF project files as certain contingents of African American troops

were stationed at most airfields, camps, and forts.

11
Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by name of Army airfield and thereunder numerically

by War Department decimal file number.

a. MacDill Army Air Field: File labeled 333.1 (Inspection Reports). Loc: NAII; 190; 

52/06/07; Box 1530.

Description: The records pertain to an investigation of the condition of colored troops at

this airfield in Tampa, FL, and their treatment by civilian city police and white military

police. They also relate to the inadequacy of transportation to and from the city and to

distinctions made between white and colored soldiers stationed at the airfield. The records

contain conclusions, recommendations, and testimonies.

b. Maxwell Army Air Field: File labeled 333.1 (Inspection Reports). Loc: NAII; 190; 

52/07/05; Box 1567.

Description: These are two inspection reports for the colored troops at Maxwell Army Air

Field, AL, with references to the units inspected; buildings and grounds; welfare and

morale of troops; and conclusions and recommendations. Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis

recommended moving the small portion of Negro troops at this airfield to Tuskegee, but

the request was denied.

c. Tuskegee Army Airfield: Files labeled construction; inspections; landing fields; miscellaneous; roadways and runways; and training. Loc: NAII; 190; 52/12/07; Boxes 1826–1828. 

Description: The records relate to the training of Negro troops at Tuskegee Army Air Field

and the assignment of subsequent graduates. There are references to requests for civilian

photographers to photograph civilian flying at Tuskegee (request denied); requisition and

procurement of supplies and equipment repairs; internal requests desiring to know the

need for Negro instructors; requests for colored medical administrators; and technical

inspections of Negro units. The records also regard Tuskegee Institute’s contract with

Tuskegee Army Air Field; questionnaires “Memorandum of Personnel” of applicants (some

photos included); and the construction of various buildings (housing, hospitals, etc.) and

landing sites.

Record Group 340 Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the National Military Establishment (NME), later designated the Department of Defense (DOD), to head the newly created Department of the Air Force (DAF),

by the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 502), July 26, 1947. Develops policy and

implements programs for the civil and military operations of the U.S. Air Force

(USAF). 

12
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Achieving its independence from the Army in September 1947, the Air Force was a new

service but also heir to a legacy of segregation. Most Air Force senior officers were

trained in the Army and staunchly supported the Army’s policy of segregated units and

racial quotas. Yet, in less than two years as an independent service, the Air Force in late

1948, stood at the threshold of integration.5

This change in attitude was neither a consequence of sudden humanitarianism nor a

reaction to the vociferousness of civil rights activists. Rather, with the subsequent reduction in military manpower and postwar budgetary cuts, the Air Force realized early on

the parallel between military efficiency and racial integration. Moreover, racial distinctions imposed unacceptable administrative burdens that would impact the overall fighting proficiency of the Air Force. 

During World War II, the Army Air Force was hard pressed to fill the needs of its

black air units, and it became difficult to maintain adequate troop replacement levels

(which impacted the morale of black airmen). Army policy stipulated that any replacements for pilots and ground support specialists, e.g., mechanics, supply clerks, and

armorers, must be done with other blacks.6 Segregation became a waste of the Air

Force’s few African American pilots and specialists as well as its large number of

unskilled recruits. 

Following the outcome of World War II, the NME at the behest of President Harry S.

Truman’s Executive Order 9981 of July 26, 1948, sought to implement an integration

plan for all armed services. This integration plan, to be developed under the auspices of

the Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services (also

known as the Fahy Committee), called for a policy of “equality of treatment and opportunity” in the armed services for all Americans without regard to race, color, religion, or

national origin. 

An armed services Personnel Policy Board (composed of representatives from all four

military branches) was established by Secretary of Defense James V. Forrestal to assist

the Fahy Committee with the actual implementation of the plan. Because the representatives from the four military branches (Army, Air Force, Marines, and Navy) could not

reach a consensus on how to implement this policy, each service developed a separate

policy and not a common policy that would cover the entire military establishment. 

The Air Force responded to the Fahy Committee’s instructions by expediting or revising its antedated integration plan, which was submitted to Secretary of Defense Forrestal

on January 6, 1949. In its plan, the Air Force proposed reorganizing itself and opening

positions in all fields to African Americans subject only to individual qualifications and

the needs of the service.

RG 340 records in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration

recount the implementation of the Air Force’s integration plan and the work of the

Personnel Policy Board from an administrative standpoint. 

13
RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/

CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL DIVISION

II.340.1 Entry 3 Special Interest File, 1947–53. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by special file number.

a. Special File 35 (Negro Affairs). Loc: NAII; 190; 63/32/05; Box 26.

Description: The records relate to President Truman’s Committee on Equality of Treatment

and Opportunity in the Armed Services, its mission, and the appointment of assistant secretaries from all four armed services to the committee. This committee was chaired by

Charles Fahy and set in place a policy of “equality of treatment and opportunity in the

armed services.” The records document the Air Force’s proposal to integrate its service

and the subsequent reassignment of African American males to integrated units. They also

address the Air Force’s policy on Negro personnel, the “barracks problem” (proposed

racially segregated housing facilities), and contain a copy of A Study of the Negro in

Military Service from the Revolutionary War to World War II.

RECORDS OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES/RECORDS OF THE AIR FORCE REPRESENTATIVE ON

THE DOD PERSONNEL POLICY BOARD

II.340.2 Entry 60 Personnel Policy Board File, 1948–51 [General File by

Organization and Subject, 1947–Jan. 1953]. 1 ft. 3 in.

Arrangement: Arranged by date of meeting.

a. PPB Files. Loc: NAII; 190; 78/02/02–78/02/03; Boxes 58–60.

Description: The records contain the minutes of meetings of the Personnel Policy Board

and background material with regard to the action taken to implement the “equality of

treatment and opportunity in the armed services” policy as set forth in the Executive Order

9981. The records discuss the Air Force’s submission of its integration plan and opposition

to the “parity of enlistment” (lowering Air Force’s enlistment standards). There was also an

opinion expressed that the Army and Navy had not complied with the “spirit or letter” of

Secretary of Defense Forrestal’s request dated April 6, 1949, to do so. It was agreed by

those representing the four military services’ that each service might need a separate policy instead of a common policy covering the entire military establishment. Included are a

draft proposal of the “Declaration of Personnel Policy for the Armed Forces of the United

States” and a “Report Concerning Nomenclature of Enlistment Form as Pertains to Race,”

which discusses this problem with recommendations as to the appropriate terms to use

without offending specific enlistees.

14
Record Group 341 Records of Headquarters United States Air Force 

(Air Staff)

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established as Headquarters U.S. Air Force (HQUSAF) under the Department of the Air

Force (DAF) in the National Military Establishment (NME) pursuant to the National Security

Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 503), July 26, 1947, and implementing Transfer Order 1, Secretary of

Defense, September 26, 1947. Redesignated Air Staff by the Air Force Organization Act of

1951 (65 Stat. 327), September 19, 1951. Provides advice and assistance to the Secretary of

the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force on all aspects of air defense and offense.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

After submitting its integration plan to the Secretary of Defense (Forrestal), the Air Force

began the initial phase of implementing the plan by screening the service’s 20,146 African

Americans that consisted of 269 officers and 19,877 airmen. This was done for the purpose

of reassigning eligible persons to formerly all-white units and training schools while eliminating those ineligible from the service entirely. Senior commanders were assembled at an

Air Force Commanders’ Conference held on April 12, 1949, to inform them of the integration plan’s intent, and they were ordered to carry it out in the field as their own personal

responsibility. 

This is not to say that there was not any opposition to the implementation of such a

policy. There were black and white enlisted men and officers who were skeptical of its

success.7 The integration policy would be enforced only on Air Force bases and not within

surrounding civilian communities. All Air Force personnel would conform to the laws and

customs of local communities. 

Part of the first phase included inactivating and dispersing the 332d Fighter Squadron

from Lockbourne Air Field, OH, and subsequently reassigning qualified black men to formerly all-white units.8 Simultaneously, racial quotas used for recruitment purposes and Air

Force school attendance were abolished. Black males would now enter the service under

the same standards as white males, and they would be assigned, classified, promoted, or

eliminated from the service in compliance with the policy of equal treatment and opportunity. The speed at which the integration plan was carried out followed a geographical line

with southern Air Force bases being the last ones to implement it.

Once instituted the integration plan became universal fairly fast. By the end of the first

year (1950), 95 percent of black airmen were serving in integrated units. In addition, the

number of black officers and enlisted men rose as well. According to Fahy Committee

member E.W. Kenworthy (who toured seven Air Force installations) in “A First Report on

the Racial Integration Program of the Air Force,” integration was widely accepted at all

command levels with little or no problems. 

RG 341 records in NARA’s custody highlight the Air Force’s implementation of the new

integration plan. The records document the participation of African Americans from various

fields such as journalism, law, higher education, and civil rights organizations in formulating this new policy.

15
RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL/

DIRECTOR OF CIVIL LAW/MILITARY AFFAIRS DIVISION

II.341.1 Entry 42b Legal Precedents File, 1942–48 [Security Classified]. 1⁄2 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 190; 64/22/04; Box 22.

Description: The records relate to policies governing race in the Air Force and racial problems as it affects the Army (and Army Air Force) with State, Federal, and War Department

policy implications. They include responses to congressional inquires regarding racial

intermingling of servicemen at certain airfields (all air personnel would follow the social

custom in regard to race), and assigning colored troops in certain localities and communities (colored troops would be assigned only in localities with commensurate Negro civilian

populations). There is also a response to an inquiry of renowned aviatrix Willa B. Brown

that concerns Negro youth participating in the air program, and an investigation of discrimination against personnel of the 25th Infantry at Walla Walla, WA. 

FINDING AID: NM-15

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL, PROCUREMENT, AND TRAINING

II.341.2 Entry 157 Records on Racial Policies, 1944–50. 1 ft.

Arrangement: Arranged by subject.

a. Files labeled President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the

Armed Services; Trends in the Negro Press; National Defense Conference on Negro

Affairs; etc. Loc: NAII; 190; 66/21/01; Boxes 782–784.

Description: The records pertain to information compiled in weekly reports prepared by

the Analysis Branch of the News Division that highlight articles from the Negro press such

as the Chicago Defender, Norfolk Journal and Guide, Pittsburgh Courier, Philadelphia

Tribune, and the Washington Afro-American. Many of these articles detail the activities of

various Negro military units such as the 477th Bombardment Group, 332d Fighter Group,

and others. Other articles regard black WACs at Fort Devens, MA; awards received for

meritorious service; and incidents of racial discrimination. Included are verbatim transcripts

of meetings of the President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the

Armed Services, with regard to the postwar utilization of black men in integrated units;

and the National Defense Conference on Negro Affairs, which was established to assist the

Department of Defense with the development of racial policies in the armed services.

There are also copies of A Study of the Negro in Military Service that concerns the military

service of African Americans from the Revolutionary War to World War II, written by Jean

16
Byers in June 1947, and U.S. Navy publication The Integration of the Negro into the

United States Navy, 1776–1947, written by Lt. Dennis Denmark Nelson (USNR), and a

report written by James Evans, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, titled “The

Negro in the Army.”

17
Part III

Old Army Cluster

Record Group 77 Records of the Office of the Chief of Engineers

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the War Department by a letter of Secretary of War John C. Calhoun to the

Chief of Engineers, Brig. Gen. Jonathan G. Swift, April 3, 1818, transmitting President

Monroe’s directive that a headquarters office be established in Washington, DC, for the

Corps of Engineers, which had been separately established as an element of the U.S. Army

by an act of March 16, 1802 (2 Stat. 132). Supervises the activities of the Corps of

Engineers. Provides advice and assistance to the Secretary of the Army, the Chief of Staff

and other members of the Army Staff, and other Department of the Army organizations.

Provides general and specialized engineering services for the Army, the Department of

Defense, and other government agencies. Administers the civil works program, a comprehensive Federal program for water resources development, including river and harbor

improvements, flood control, and hydroelectric power. Supervised the U.S. Military

Academy, West Point, NY, 1802–66. 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Under the guidelines announced by the War Department in October 1940, segregated

Negro units were to be established in all of the arms and services of the Army. Many

branches, however, remained exempt from this policy while other branches were forced

to absorb Negroes in excess of their proportion of the draft.9 Such was the case with the

Corps of Engineers. Although the Protective Mobilization Plan of 1940 had only provided

for the creation of one Negro engineer general service unit (41st Regiment), by the end of

1942, 27 more such units were activated and one engineer aviation regiment and 19 battalions.10 Negroes also served in engineer water supply battalions and companies and in

dump truck and aviation engineer companies. In the Corps of Engineers, approximately

every sixth man was a Negro. 

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: UD

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS

III.77.1 Entry 106b General Correspondence, 1918–45. 1⁄4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

18
a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 01/10/01; Box 140.

Description: The records concern War Department policies as related to Negroes and

important questions arising thereunder that should be referred to Truman K. Gibson, Jr.,

Acting Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War. Other records (with cross-references) regard

the assignment of Negroes to units such as the Camouflage Unit, and a reference to a construction company submitting a bid for the construction of Tuskegee Flying Field.

Record Group 92 Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the War Department to head the Quartermaster Corps (QMC), effective July

15, 1920, by General Order 42, War Department, July 14, 1920, which implemented relevant provisions of the National Defense Act of 1920 (41 Stat. 766), June 4, 1920; restored

the traditional name of the office; and assigned to it those quartermaster functions exercised by the Construction Division, Motor Transport Corps, Transportation Service,

Purchase and Storage Service, and Real Estate Service. Supplied the Army with clothing,

subsistence, and general-purpose equipment. Supervised the disposition of excess and salvaged supplies. Performed duties related to the disposition of combat dead, including

maintaining the national cemeteries. Responsibility for procuring land for the Army, and

for constructing and maintaining military buildings and utilities, transferred to Office of the

Chief of Engineers, 1941. Responsibility for transporting troops and supplies transferred to

Transportation Division, SOS, 1942. Responsibility for procuring general purpose automotive vehicles transferred to Ordnance Department, SOS, 1942. Joint service logistical

responsibilities transferred to Defense Supply Service Agency, Department of Defense

(DOD), effective January 1, 1962, by DOD Directive 5105.22, November 6, 1961.

Abolished effective August 1, 1962, by General Order 44, DA, July 23, 1962. 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The War Department, hoping to alleviate the problem encountered during World War I

of not being able to mobilize adequate percentages of African Americans, studied the

manpower problem again in 1937 as it had in 1931. This study recommended the mobilization of Negroes and whites in proportion to their total population, so as to avoid a

racially unbalanced Army in time of war. These recommendations were incorporated into

the Mobilization Regulations that were rewritten and later published in 1940. 

An estimated 100,000 African Americans in the Army were assigned to the branches to

which they were allotted according to the mobilization plans near the end of 1941. By

April 1942, 34 percent of all quartermaster units were African American, and before the

war’s end there were 1,600 Negro quartermaster companies.11 The Quartermaster General,

along with the Corps of Engineers, were forced to enlist Negroes above the allotted percentage because some service units did not traditionally enlist them.

As the Army’s demand for service units increased, more troops were sent overseas to

certain theaters of operation. African American quartermaster units included truck, car, railhead, bakery, salvage repair, salvage collecting, laundry, fumigation and bath, gas supply,

19
sterilization and pack units that varied in size from regiments to detachments.

RG 92 records document the treatment of Negro troops and the Army’s opinion of their

skills and capabilities.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL

III.92.1 Entry 1890a General Correspondence “Subject File,” 1936–45. 1⁄8 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes, Policy, Precedent). Loc: NAII; 390; 03/32/02; Box 62.

Description: The records regard the treatment of Negro soldiers as outlined under Army

Regulation 600-10, which was devised to help sustain and improve troop morale. This regulation forbade supervisors “to injure those under their authority by tyrannical or capricious

conduct or by abusive language.” Supervisors were further warned to avoid the use of

racial epithets when addressing certain racial groups as well as to avoid differentiating

between colored and white soldiers. All references to any policies pertaining to Negroes

were recommended for referral to Judge William H. Hastie, Civilian Aide to the Secretary

of War.

b. Decimal File 322 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 03/33/04; Box 120.

Description: The records concern opposition to the integration of white and Negro enlisted personnel as expressed by various Army commanders. It was noted that a decrease in

the overall efficiency of all-colored units would occur “due to the low percentage bracket

for higher intelligence among Negro enlisted men,” and that higher grades (because of the

intelligence factor) would be allotted to white personnel thereby blocking advancement

for Negro enlisted men. A suggestion was also made to use Negroes as “purely common

labor.” There are records that regard the use of Negro troops in Arctic regions citing observations in the field in Alaska and northwestern Canada, with a recommendation that the

Army assign only those from the northern United States to the Arctic region as those persons are better suited to work under such conditions. A recommendation was also made

that the Army adequately train and equip troops for combat in Arctic and sub-Arctic

regions.

III.92.2 Entry 1890f General Correspondence “Subject File,” 1955–56. 1⁄8 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 04/33/06; Box 75.

Description: The records concern the Fair Employment Program policy and procedure for

20
investigating complaints of discrimination. They highlight significant complaints of Negroes

alleging discrimination in employment and hiring practices. There is a reference to responding to the President’s Committee on Government Employment Policy on a one-time request

for a report on the positions, grades, and supervisory assignments of Negroes in certain

metropolitan areas. The purpose of this report was to appraise the effectiveness with which

appointing officers are “carrying out the policies expressed in Executive Order 10590” in

such metropolitan areas as Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Mobile, AL; Norfolk-Portsmouth,

VA; St. Louis, MO; and Washington, DC.

III.92.3 Entry 1890aa Formerly Classified General Correspondence “Subject File,”

1936–54 [1946–52]. 1

⁄4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 04/29/02; Box 30.

Description: The records pertain to the topic of the extended use of Negroes as cooks and

bakers in the U.S. Army as proposed by Secretary of Defense Forrestal in a discussion with

Quartermaster General Feldman. They detail the dialogue regarding a study undertaken by

the G–1 Personnel Staff to investigate this issue. Based, however, on President Truman’s

Executive Order 9981, concerning the “equality of treatment and opportunity without

regard to race, color, religion, or national origin,” any further expanded use of Negroes as

cooks and bakers would not be desirable as it would not make good use of personnel

resources. Moreover, it was evidenced that Negro cooks and bakers were in excess of the

Negro unit requirement that forced the Army to subsequently reassign them to other tourof-duty units.

FINDING AID: NM-81

RECORDS OF THE CEMETERIAL DIVISION

III.92.4 Entry 1942 Cemeterial Files, 1915–39. 1⁄2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by surname of person.

a. File labeled Young, Charles Col. Loc: NAII; 370; 67/22/01; Box 5265.

Description: The records relate to the Army Quartermaster General’s authorizing the erection of a cemetery monument on the plot of retired Col. Charles D. Young who was buried

in the Arlington National Cemetery. Young died while on active duty as a military attache

to the American Legation to Liberia and passed away in Lagos, Nigeria, on January 8, 1922.

His grave was previously indicated only by a wooden marker. He was born and reared in

Ripley, OH, received a military appointment to West Point, and later served honorably

with the 9th Cavalry during the Spanish-American War.

21
Record Group 107 Records of the Office of the Secretary of War

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established by the act creating the War Department, August 7, 1789 (1 Stat. 49). Supervised

all activities of the War Department. Responsible for naval affairs until 1798 and for military

bounty lands, military pensions, and Indian affairs until 1849. Abolished effective September

18, 1947, by the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 501), July 26, 1947.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Hoping to placate African Americans who demanded integration of the armed services and

to gain their favorable support for the utilization of black troops on a “fair and equitable

basis,” President Franklin D. Roosevelt named Judge William H. Hastie, dean of the Howard

University Law School, as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War. Not unlike many African

Americans who sought full integration of the armed services, Judge Hastie himself was

“determined to break the racial logjam in the War Department” and was willing to exchange

long-term goals for slower-paced progress.12

The War Department, nevertheless, envisioned that Judge Hastie would advise Secretary

of War Henry L. Stimson on matters relevant to African Americans in the military. Judge

Hastie received very little support or encouragement from Secretary of War Stimson or his

Chief of Staff George C. Marshall, both of whom were cognizant of the military tradition of

segregated units since 1863. Stimson was a proponent of civil rights but an opponent of

social integration of the races and adhered throughout the war to the beliefs and opinions

of the Army’s professional staff.13 With Judge Hastie’s resignation on July 31, 1943, his

assistant Truman K. Gibson took over the position as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War. 

RG 107 records demonstrate the working relationships among the Civilian Aide, the

Secretary of War, and others in the War Department; black troops; various organizations

such as the NAACP and the Urban League; and the African American public at large.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR

III.107.1 Entry 99 Formerly Top Secret Correspondence of Secretary of War

Stimson (“Safe File”), 1940–45. 3 in.

Arranged: Arranged alphabetically by subject.

a. Files labeled Colored troops & problems; Negroes—Report of Judge Hastie; & Race 

Riots. Loc: NAII; 390; 08/32/05–08/32/07; Boxes 3, 10, and 12.

Description: The records regard the Army registration ratio for Negroes, and a summary of

22
issues relevant to “Negroes in the Army,” discussed during a conference between Judge

William H. Hastie and Secretary of War Stimson. Other records concern Negro intelligence;

combat experience of Negro troop units from the Civil War to World War I and references

to individual Negro units’ combat performances thereof; an Office of Product Management

notice of the complaints of Negro workers in defense production; a demand made by the

March-on-Washington Committee for “jobs and justice in national defense and participation

and equal integration into the Nation’s military and naval forces”; a meeting of Secretary of

War Stimson with Negro and white representatives of the AFL, CIO, and railroad unions in

response to the Detroit race riot; and a recommendation for an Executive order disallowing discrimination in all defense contracts. The records include a copy of Judge Hastie’s

“Survey and Recommendations Concerning the Integration of the Negro Soldier into the

Army,” covering issues such as segregation, troop morale, and conclusions and recommendations; and a report detailing the “Causative Factors of the Detroit Race Riot” of June 20,

1943. 

III.107.2 Entry 102 Coordination & Records Decimal File, 1943–46 [General

Correspondence]. 5 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 09/01/03; Boxes 86–87.

Description: The records consist mostly of cross-reference sheets used to access related

files (with some original correspondence attached) summarizing an investigation requested

by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) regarding a

racial attack on a colored soldier at Camp Devens, MA, and his subsequent court-martial

by the Army and other similar courts-martial; an investigation of a Negro private’s death

while in the custody of civil authorities; a Special Inspector’s investigation of the professional qualities of officers assigned to Negro units (officers were of a mediocre caliber);

and the segregation of Negro blood plasma. The records include references to Walter

White’s report on the 93d Infantry Division in which he suggested the existence “of a

deliberate campaign of disparagement of the division’s combat performance”; a review of

the Gillem Board report; and an outline of the “participation of Negro troops in the PostWar Military Establishment.” They also contain a congressional inquiry regarding the disbanding of the 9th and 10th Cavalry (Negro) regiments without the direct consent of

Congress, and an inquiry on plans for the organization of WAVES and Marine Corps for

Negro women. 

III.107.3 Entry 108 Secretary of the Army (Patterson) General Decimal File,

1946–47 [Formerly Security Classified Correspondence]. 1

⁄8 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 09/03/05; Box 4.

Description: The records relate to the recommendation of the Gillem Board that the War

Department enlist 10 percent of Negro soldiers, the retention of transfer of the 19th Military

23
Police Company (Negro), reports of racial tensions at Fort Benning, GA, and a response to

the editor of the Afro-American Newspaper (Baltimore, MD) concerning complaints of

mistreatment by 10 Negro trainees at the Manila Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines.

III.107.4 Entry 110 Coordination & Records Decimal File, 1946–47 [General

Correspondence]. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 09/05/05; Box 221.

Description: The records concern NAACP opposition to a War Department order that all

Negro enlistees and reenlistees be sent to Fort Jackson, SC, contrary to the integration policy set forth in the Gillem Board report; the War Department’s opposition report to H.R.

279 (80th Congress), a bill “to prohibit race segregation in the armed services” after the

termination of hostilities in the present war and the beginning of demobilization; and plans

for the utilization of Negro manpower. There are responses to matters regarding employment of Negroes in the Medical Corps, fraternization of Negro soldiers and German women

during and after World War II, and Negro civilian employees of the War Department being

displaced with the ending of the war. Included also is an inquiry of Walter White (secretary of the NAACP) on behalf of his son serving in the Army who wished to be transferred

to Germany; allegations of cruel and inhuman punishment of prisoners in the stockades at

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; and a report of the mistreatment of a Negro veteran by

civilian police in Aiken, SC, during an incident in which he was blinded (his eyes were

gouged out with a billy club). 

RECORDS OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF WAR

III.107.5 Entry 140 Formerly Security-Classified “Confidential” Correspondence,

1940–43. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 09/10/02; Box 2.

Description: The records regard an inquiry of the proficiency of Negro pilots trained at

Tuskegee Air Base; requests for weekend military police presence in Bunkie, LA; and the

treatment of Negro soldiers under Army Regulation 600-10 (specifically of treatment in the

North and South). There are references to a race and labor situation at a magnesium plant

in Las Vegas, NV (Negro labor was gradually being reduced); opposition to a proposed

Executive order that would require all defense contracts to include a clause disallowing

discrimination; recommendation of Judge William H. Hastie (Civilian Aide to the Secretary

of War) concerning Negro troops and his opposition to the 1942 troop basis; and a Department of Justice investigation of an attack made upon Negro troops outside of Gurdon, AR,

by white state troopers and civilians. The records also pertain to the training of the 93d

Infantry Division at Camp Huachuca, AZ, with regard to the capabilities or attitudes of

24
white officers, Negro officers, and Negro enlisted men; the segregation of Negro blood

plasma; and the opposition of some to the unanticipated use of colored troops to guard

airfields, airports, and civilian aviation training schools.

III.107.6 Entry 141 Formerly-Security Classified Correspondence, 1943–45. 1⁄4 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 09/10/06; Box 236.

Description: The records pertain to preventive action to eliminate causes of civilian racial

disturbances of concern to the War Department, detailing some of the principal causes of

racial tension and action to counteract the effects of such problems. Included is a copy of

“The Negroes’ Role in the War: A Study of White and Colored Opinions” compiled by the

Office of War Information (OWI) in collaboration with the National Opinion Research

Center of the University of Denver. This study was a part of a larger OWI research project

designed “to serve as a basis for informational programs to and about Negroes,” the objective being to provide measures of Negro desires for increased participation in the war effort

and “white willingness to accommodate to increased Negro participation.” Interviews were

held with cross-sections of white and Negro populations in five cities: Birmingham, AL;

Raleigh, NC; Oklahoma City, OK; Chicago, IL; and Detroit, MI.

III.107.7 Entry 143 General Correspondence “Decimal File” [Dec. 1940–Mar. 1943].

6 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 09/12/05; Boxes 51–52.

Description: The records contain some cross-index sheets used to access related files with

references to the employment of Negroes by corporations for war-related work, Negro

induction into the Army, discrimination against Negro soldiers on public transportation in

the South, use of Negroes as Special Service officers, and the alleged discriminatory attitude of the War Department in relation to Negroes in the Army Medical Corps. The documents concern the segregation of buses running between Washington, DC, and the

Pentagon Building in Arlington, VA; segregation of Negro patients at Kennedy General

Hospital in Memphis, TN; and the limited opportunity for Negroes to be trained as officers

in the Army Air Forces. Other records include a request for access to organizational

records to answer inquiries relating to Negro troops in the war, a progress report on the

93d Infantry Division, and a reference to alleged discrimination against furloughed Negro

soldiers sent by the U.S. Employment Service to work for a mining company in Butte, MT.

III.107.8 Entry 144 Administrative Office–Decimal File, 1943–45 [General

Correspondence]. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

25
26

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 09/16/06; Box 447.

Description: The records concern the assignment of Negro nurses to the Army Nurse

Corps, and the training of Negro army nurses at Fort Huachuca, AZ; alleged discrimination

by the Western Cartridge Company in the employment of Negroes and mass layoffs at its

subsidiary U.S. Cartridge Company, which hired Negroes; and the protection of Negroes at

the Bethlehem Steel Ship Yards at Sparrows Point, MD. Included is a copy of Dr.

Lawrence Kubie’s report “The Negro Troops and the Negro Physician in the Armed

Services” gathered during his visit to Selfridge and Oscoda Fields, MI; a copy of Walter

White’s OWI report “Observations and Recommendations on Racial Relations in the ETO,”

in which he visited 25 installations while on a 16-day tour; and abstracts of White’s interview with Gen. Douglas MacArthur relating to the utilization of Negro combat troops (93d

Infantry Division and others in the Pacific Theater of Operations). There are references to

white workers at Packard Motor Company going on strike rather working with Negroes,

and a slanderous statement made by Mississippi Senator James O. Eastland regarding the

military service of Negro troops.

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF WAR

III.107.9 Entry 180 Formerly Security-Classified Correspondence of John J. McCloy,

1941–45. 4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes; Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 09/32/05; Box 15.

Description: The records regard the assignment of Negro troops to theaters of operation

and overseas stations, policy on promotions and assignments of Negro officer personnel,

and a proposed plan to integrate small units of colored troops (the size of platoons) into

white combat divisions. There are references to the combat performances of the 600th

Field Artillery Battalion and the 761st Tank Battalion; a utilization plan for Negro combat

aviation units such as the 477th Bombardment Group and the 332d Fighter Group; combat

reports of Negro units such as the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments and the 93d Infantry

Division at Bougainville, Green Island, and Emirau Island; and data on colored troops in

the Pacific Area and the use of Negro troops in occupational forces in Germany. Included

are extracts from a radio message of General MacArthur stating “the 93rd is not a good

Division. Everything possible is being done to develop it so that it can be used in combat

with distinction as there is no possibility of using Australian troops earlier than the dates

on RENO 5.” Also included is a Gillem Board correlated copy of “Supplement Report of

Board of Officers Proposals to Improve Race Relations in the Post-War Army.”

III.107.10 Entry 183 General Correspondence of John J. McCloy, 1941–45. 1 ft. 9 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negro Troops). Loc: NAII; 390; 09/34/04; Boxes 35–39.
Description: The records pertain to the condition, treatment, and utilization of Negro

troops, with references to requests for reclassifications of Negro soldiers and postwar

demobilization of the Negro; the resignation of Judge William H. Hastie as the Civilian

Aide to the Secretary of War, effective July 31, 1943; testimonies of chaplains as to the

conditions in the 76th Coast Artillery (Negro); to an inspection tour of Gen. Benjamin O.

Davis in the European Theater of Operation; and the assignment of Negro combat units to

Hawaii. They include “A Study on the Colored Soldier in the U.S. Army” and a copy of

“Survey and Recommendations Concerning the Integration of the Negro Soldier into the

Army” that was submitted by the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War. Moreover, there is

a reference to McCloy’s belief that the Negro press should (when writing editorials and

articles with references to Negro troops and whites) lessen the emphasis upon discriminatory acts and racial incidents. Other records relate to inquiries about Negro soldiers imprisoned in England and Mannheim, Germany; conversion of the 9th and 10th Cavalry into

infantry service troops; Army/Navy limited experiment with partial integration of attaching

Negro units with white units and of common training in the Officer Candidate Schools

(OCS); an outline of the postwar Negro plan study; and films produced for the purpose of

advising troops concerning postwar problems that did not adequately address problems of

Negro soldiers.

III.107.11 Entry 186 Formerly Security-Classified Correspondence of Howard

Petersen, 1945–47. 5 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 09/35/06; Box 20.

Description: The records concern the Armed Forces Leave Act of 1946, opposition to the

continued segregation of Negroes in the post–World War II Army, and the War Department

racial policy in the Panama Canal Zone following an article “Jim Crow at the Canal” published in the Survey Graphic. There are references to Negro veterans of World War II and

their attempts to receive the “Terminal Leave Pay” before its expiration on September 1,

1947, and inquiries regarding paternity claims for “half-caste” babies born of U.S. Negro

servicemen and British women. Other records pertain to the War Department policy on

the enlistment and reenlistment of Negro personnel, the question of the integration of

National Guard and reserve units, an investigation of discrimination at Fort Jackson, SC,

and a transcript of a telephone conversation between Generals McClure and Parks discussing a pending lawsuit filed by a Negro group in Pittsburgh, PA, alleging discrimination

in the Army recruiting program.

III.107.12 Entry 188 Civilian Aide to the Secretary—Subject File [General

Correspondence (Judge Hastie File), 1940–48]. 35 ft. 4 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by subject. A subject list is available.

a. Files labeled Aberdeen Proving Ground through 761st Tank Destroyer Battalion. Loc:

NAII; 390; 10/01/03–10/03/01; Boxes 176–260.

27
Description: The records pertain to post swimming pool regulations at Aberdeen Proving

Ground, MD, governing its use by whites and Negroes, and requests made upon the

Civilian Aide’s office to assist those seeking employment opportunities as chaplains, nurses, aerial observers, combat navigators, and aviation pilots. Also contained in the files is

an exchange of correspondence between NAACP Secretary Walter White and Assistant

Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War James C. Evans, regarding the NAACP employing

Jean Byers to compile the history of Negro servicemen in World War II. There is a letter

written by Mary McLeod Bethune requesting the Civilian Aide’s advice as to how her

grandson Albert Bethune could transfer from an Army infantry unit to the Air Corps. Many

Negro soldiers also requested access to training in combat air intelligence and bomb disposal. Other inquiries were received from Negroes who expressed difficulties with placing

applications to the Army Air Forces, such as Sgt. Douglas G. Brown of the 1964th

Ordnance Company (Depot) Aviation, who was advised repeatedly to apply at the next

station. Included also is an inquiry of renowned aviatrix Willa B. Brown, Coordinator of

the Coffey School of Aeronautics (Oak Lawn, IL), who expressed an interest in establishing Army Air Force flight school training for Negroes in Chicago, IL, and reports such as

“Observations and Recommendations of Walter White on Racial Relations in the ETO,” as

well as White’s observations in the North African and Middle Eastern Theaters of Operation. Other records relate to the use of Negro teachers to teach illiterate soldiers; the proposed Negro March-on-Washington to occur on July 1, 1941; allegations of the WAAC

practice of discrimination against colored women; racial discrimination complaints of Negro

soldiers; racial disturbances such as in Alexandria, LA, and Moultrie, GA; NAACP inquiries

(from Walter White, Thurgood Marshall and others) about the treatment of Negro soldiers;

inquiries about Negro war casualties, and violence against Negro military personnel. 

III.107.13 Entry 189 Civilian Aide to the Secretary, Racial Situation in Army,

1944–46 [Formerly Security-Classified Reports and Memorandums Concerning

Race Relations in the United States and Overseas]. 2 ft. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged by subject.

a. Files labeled Reports of Racial Situation; FBI; Extracts from Weekly Intelligence Reports;

and Technical Intelligence Reports. Loc: NAII; 390; 10/03/01; Boxes 261–265.

Description: The records relate to reports on the racial situation at the Walterboro Army

Air Field in Walterboro, SC, as a result of Negro officers being dissatisfied with certain

administrative policies of the base; the arrest of a Negro soldier by Walterboro, SC, civil

authorities for resisting arrest and aggravated assault; and a nonracial incident at a railroad

station in Hamlet, NC, in which white and Negro soldiers were arrested for drunkenness.

There is a reference to a disturbance involving three Negro WACS (of the 155th Service

Command) during which they allegedly resisted efforts of a white military policeman to

move them from the “white waiting room” to the “colored waiting room” of a Greyhound

bus station in Elizabethtown, KY. Included also are weekly intelligence summaries on subversive situations, racial situations, riots, and other domestic disturbances; technical intelligence reports regarding Negro troops in Europe; a reported “near mutiny” in close proximity to Camp Shelby, MS; and racial problems at Camp Lee, VA.

28
RECORDS OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF WAR FOR AIR

III.107.14 Entry 210 Classified Decimal File, 1940–46 [Formerly Security-Classified

Correspondence]. 6 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 10/04/06; Boxes 94–96.

Description: The records pertain to responses to inquiries on the training of Negro flying

cadets at Tuskegee Institute (Tuskegee, AL) and training in special ground and technical

work such as meteorology, armament, and engineering; the activation of the 99th Pursuit

Squadron; and indications of recruiting problems in Chicago, IL, due to Negro recruits not

wanting to “wind up in a jim-crow, makeshift, outfit near Tuskegee. If the Army would

develop an equitable plan we could secure over five hundred men in less than a week.” 14

They also concern a decision made to reduce the strength of the 332d Fighter Group

(Negro), and a statement of Judge William H. Hastie, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War,

in reference to the graduation rate of colored pilots to white pilots (42 percent to 59 percent) that colored pilots qualified for one of the most difficult types of work— “pursuit

pilots.” Other records relate to the use of Negro medical officers; references to the Tuskegee

Airmen Association; and reports, testimonies, and investigations of racial discrimination at

Walnut Ridge Army Air Field, Camp Deming, LA, and Harding Field, LA.

Record Group 111 Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the War Department, to head the Signal Service, by General Order 56, War

Department, August 1, 1866, pursuant to the act fixing the peacetime establishment of the

Army (14 Stat. 335), July 28, 1866. Administered the U.S. Army Signal Service (Signal

Corps), with overall responsibility for research and development in communications; procurement, testing, and operation of signal equipment; maintenance of signal security; and

collection of communications intelligence. Served as principal adviser to the Secretary of

War (after 1947 the Secretary of the Army) and the Chief of Staff on all aspects of communications. Provided Army motion picture and photographic service. Operated national

weather observation system, 1878–90. Responsibility for aviation development, 1914–18.

Abolished by General Order 28, Department of the Army, February 28, 1964.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

During the summer of 1940, the Organization and Training Division of the War Department endeavored to right the policy defects of the 1937 Protective Mobilization Plan. The

division recommended that the list of black units be expanded because many of the provisions regarding African American military personnel were outdated. Moreover, the division

29
opined that all arms and service units except the Air Corps and Signal Corps be required

to accept a reasonable proportion of African Americans. 

However, the Divisions of Personnel and War Plans both opposed the restriction of

African Americans from the Air and Signal Corps. War Plans Division noted that “it is neither desirable nor practicable in a major mobilization to exclude Negro manpower per se

from any Arm or Service. Furthermore, it is the opinion of this Division that Negro manpower can be successfully employed in some capacities in both the Air Corps and the

Signal Corps.”15 Even though the Signal Corps believed that it would be difficult to secure

such adequately trained and qualified personnel, it did enlist Negroes based on the fixed

quota of 10 percent but in many instances enlisted less than the required quota.

The RG 111 records document the attempts made by African Americans to enlist in the

Signal Corps and their subsequent training and treatment upon enlisting. 

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: UD

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER

III.111.1 Entry 1023a Unclassified Central Decimal Files, 1941–57 [1941–45]. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (General; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 10/28/02; Box 474.

Description: The records concern a hearing held on a dismissal case of a Negro woman

employed by the U.S. Army Philadelphia Signal Depot, who alleged discrimination due to

her union-affiliated activities; discrimination complaints lodged by Negro men attempting

to register as Signal Corps trainees in Cleveland, OH; St. Louis, MO; Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN; and Kansas City, KS; and a reference to attacks made upon colored officers in

the Quartermaster and Signal Corps depots. Other records regard the employment of colored enlisted personnel under the quota stipulation, inquiries pertaining to the lack of colored lieutenants and captains in the Signal and Quartermaster Corps, and the requirement

that employment applications under contract with the Signal Corps must disallow references to religious affiliations.

III.111.2 Entry 1023b Unclassified Central Decimal Files, 1941–57 [1946–48]. 1⁄8 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (General). Loc: NAII; 390; 12/05/07; Box 124.

Description: The records pertain to the enlistment, training, and utilization of Negroes for

special units under provisions of Memorandum 600-750-26; the assignment of Negro officers and noncommissioned officers to the European Command (EUCOM) specifically for

“married officers”; a special report on Negro enlisted personnel at the Signal Corps Photographic Center on Long Island, NY; and a reference to the “Continuity of Unit Histories”

30
for preserving the history and traditions of former Negro units as enunciated in War

Department Circular 124 of April 27, 1946.

Record Group 112 Records of the Office of the Surgeon General (Army)

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the War Department by an act of April 14, 1818 (3 Stat. 426), regulating the

staff of the Army. Administers the Army Medical Department. Provides advice and assistance on medical matters to the Secretary of the Army, the Chief of Staff, and other elements of the Department of the Army. Exercises general oversight and control of all

aspects of Army health services.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Medical Department experienced similar difficulties with providing units to meet

the required enlistment quota of African Americans. This particular problem also centered around the utilization of black physicians, dentists, and nurses, and the initial use

of African American officers. In October 1940, the Surgeon General proposed that black

Medical Department officers (and nurses) be utilized in all units officered by other

African Americans. These segregated medical companies, later renamed sanitary companies, were to provide ward and professional services for hospitals having 100 or more

black patients.16 A provision was also included in the plan for the National Medical

Association, the black counterpart to the American Medical Association, to indicate the

names of African American physicians for use by the Medical Department.

It was deemed, nevertheless, impractical and uneconomical to implement the plan as

originally envisioned, and the units instead were viewed as hospital service units. Black

males were to replace white males who were used as chauffeurs, cooks, cooks’ helpers,

orderlies, and basics in a general hospital, and they would be housed, messed, and

managed by other black officers. Medical sanitary companies were to be assigned to

hospitals with 1,000 or more beds, but funding difficulties delayed their activation 

until a need arose to create new black units to absorb the Medical Department’s quota.

Two medical sanitary companies were activated in 1941 “because of pressure on G–1

(Personnel) to put colored medical personnel on duty.”17 An additional 54 units were

activated in 1942, and 31 more between 1943 and 1944, although many of those activated in 1943 were later disbanded.

The RG 112 records document the interaction of the Surgeon General and the

Medical Department with the National Medical Association and the African American

community concerning the use of black doctors, dentists, nurses, and others during

World War II.

31
RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL

III.112.1 Entry 30a General Subject File, 1938–44 [Formerly Security-Classified

General Correspondence, 1938–48]. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 14/34/03; Box 15.

Description: The records regard the assignment of Negro personnel to the Medical

Department, utilization of Negro nurses, and the use of Negro physicians at induction stations. Included are references to the policy on the movement of Negro personnel from

one station to another, publicity on Negro troops overseas, and officer candidate schools

for Negroes. There is a synopsis of a meeting held between the Army Surgeon General

(Magee) and representatives of the National Medical Association (NMA) to discuss the use

of Negro physicians, dentists, and nurses in the national defense. In addition, the records

relate to Secretary of War Stimson’s press conference on the use of Negro doctors (and the

NMA’s response to it) and to the conference on Negro Health and Hospitalization. The

records also contain summaries entitled “Racial Situation in the United States” and a checklist of current problems pertaining to colored troops.

III.112.2 Entry 30b General Subject File, 1945–46 [Formerly Security-Classified

General Correspondence, 1938–48]. 1

⁄2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 15/01/06; Box 137.

Description: The records pertain to problems of Negro military personnel, policy governing the assignment of Negro officers, utilization of Negro manpower in the postwar Army

(specifically in the Medical Department), and summaries entitled “Racial Situation in the

United States.”

III.112.3 Entry 31ah WWII Administrative Records—ZI [Geographic File, 1917–49].

4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 16/08/04; Boxes 199–200.

Description: The records contain the minutes of the Negro Health Committee regarding

the use of Negro doctors, nurses, and dentists by the Army’s Medical Department. This

committee was composed of Army Surgeon General Magee, Civilian Aide to the Secretary

of War William H. Hastie, dean of Howard’s School of Dentistry Dr. Russell Dixon, president

32
of the National Medical Association Dr. A.N. Vaughn, and others. There are references to

the employment, assignment, training, and housing of Negro medical sanitary companies;

use of Negro over-age officers; use of Negro blood plasma; and establishment of a Negro

hospital at Fort Huachuca, AZ. The records also contain various inquiries such as those

from Eleanor Roosevelt and others relating to the use of Negro doctors and property in

Arkansas, and a general inquiry of British Minister of Health Sir Wilson Jameson of

Whitehall requesting information on the number of illegitimate colored children born in

certain British counties where colored troops were stationed.

III.112.4 Entry 31ai WWII Administrative Records ETO [Geographic File, 1917–49]. 1

⁄8 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Misc. Info. pertaining to Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 17/01/03; Box 119.

Description: The records concern the treatment Negro soldiers, employment of Negro sanitary companies, policy on the promotion and assignment of Negro officer personnel, and

an investigation regarding Negro babies born of Negro troops and British women in

Lancashire, Preston, and Manchester England. Also included is a “Paper on Psychology of

Handling Colored Troops,” with various tips from an Army commander on how to get the

best performance out of Negro troops, and a reference to the control of colored troops

stationed in the United Kingdom.

FINDING AID: NM-20

III.112.5 Entry 29d General Subject File, 1938–40. 1⁄4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 14/20/03; Box 18.

Description: The records pertain to the Medical Department’s plan for the employment of

Negro personnel with a recommendation that Negro medical officers be assigned to units

officered by Negroes. This plan further noted that Negro medical officers would not be

used on mixed wards (although segregation was not being planned) and warned against

misuse or excessive use of Negro physicians so as not to disrupt the colored civilian population’s medical practice. Included as well are inquiries concerning the contemplated use

of Negro Army Medical Corps Reserve officers.

III.112.6 Entry 29e General Subject File, 1941–42. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; General). Loc: NAII; 390; 14/22/02; Box 108.

33
Description: The records relate to a survey conducted by the Research Branch of the

Special Service Division on a cross-section of 5,872 white enlisted men. This survey, titled

“Attitudes of Enlisted Men Toward Negroes For Air Force Duty,” discovered the prevailing

opinion of “train Negroes as pilots, bombardiers, and navigators but segregate the Negro

both in training and in subsequent duty.” There are references to the Subcommittee on

Negro Health (of the Health and Medical Committee) meeting to discuss health problems

of Negroes in areas of defense and troop concentration; complaints of racial discrimination

against Negroes in the Army Medical Corps; and the list of Negro physicians recommended by National Medical Association (NMA) for appointment in the Medical Corps Reserve;

the placement of colored nurses in active service in the Army; and opposition to the segregation of Negro medical officers in the armed services. The records also concern an

inquiry of the Selective Service System about psychiatrists at various induction centers who

would ask Negro registrants their opinion regarding segregation and discrimination, and

then afterwards reject them for speaking freely though prompted to do so. There is a reference to the censuring of Dr. M. O. Bousfield regarding methods used in establishing a

station hospital at Fort Huachuca, AZ. 

III.112.7 Entry 29f General Subject File, 1943–44. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; General). Loc: NAII; 390; 14/26/02; Box 307.

Description: The records pertain to congressional inquiries on the rejection of Negroes by

Army medical officers, segregation of the races in Army hospitals, and policy on promotion

and assignment of Negro officer personnel. Included are references to Negro manpower in

medical units in the postwar Army, a list of colored Medical Corps officers, a report of a

visit to Fort Huachuca, AZ, and a copy of the Historical Division’s monograph “Integration

of Negro and White Troops in the U.S. Army, Europe, 1952–54,” which described the program’s planning, execution, and operation, and the motivation for integration. 

III.112.8 Entry 29g General Subject File, 1945–46. 1⁄8 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 14/31/02; Box 551.

Description: The records relate to racial discrimination against Negro nurses and physicians, suspension of the enlistment of Negro personnel (as of July 16, 1946), postwar utilization of Negro troops, and a congressional inquiry regarding the issue of housing whites

and Negroes together in the same Army hospital.

RECORDS OF THE INSPECTION BRANCH

III.112.9 Entry 302 Interviews with Officers Visiting S.G.O. Installations, 1943–45.

Neg.

34
Arrangement: Arranged numerically by interview report number.

a. Interview Report #39. Loc: NAII; 390; 18/25/02; Box 218.

Description: The records concern an interview held with Lt. Susan E. Freeman of the Army

Nurses Corps. Lieutenant Freeman was the Chief Nurse of the 25th Station Hospital in

Liberia for eight months. This particular station hospital was established to serve Negro

troops, and it consisted of 17 colored medical officers, 30 colored nurses, and approximately 180 colored enlisted men in addition to some whites from other units being stationed there as well. Interviews were held (from Aug. 1943 to Sept. 1945) with selected

officers who visited the Surgeon General’s Office to ascertain constructive criticism of

Medical Department activities in their field. During her interview, Freeman commented on

the geography and climate, personnel and organization, medical situation, and supplies.

She also noted that the nurses should be physically fit and “selected” (rather than being

assigned automatically ) for work in the tropics. Freeman said the 25th Station Hospital

was “sort of a good-will mission” and they were told to befriend the Liberians.

Record Group 156 Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established by the act organizing the Ordnance Department (4 Stat. 504), April 5, 1832,

from a combined corps of ordnance and artillery. Developed, tested, maintained, repaired,

procured, and distributed Army ordnance and ordnance equipment. Abolished by a reorganization of the Department of the Army, effective August 1, 1962.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Ordnance Department instituted ammunition companies for the enlistment of Negroes

but did not provide for their overall enlistment in other areas of the department. Aviation

ordnance depot and aviation ordnance supply and maintenance companies were attached

to the Army Air Forces. 

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NM-26

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL/CIVILIAN PERSONNEL DIVISION

III.156.1 Entry 664 General Administrative Correspondence of the Labor Branch.

4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by subject.

35
a. Files labeled Discrimination—Racial. Loc: NAII; 390; 20/20/02; Boxes C-1–C-2.

Description: The records pertain to allegations of racial discrimination as lodged by

Negroes employed or seeking employment with the Ordnance Department or with

Ordnance Department contractors or subcontractors such as U.S. Rubber Company, U.S.

Cartridge Company, General Tire Company, McQuay-Norris Company, and E. I. DuPont

de Nemours. The President’s Committee on Fair Employment Practices initiated investigations of these companies and others after receiving complaints made by either Negroes or

labor unions, and in turn ordered such companies to accept available workers without

race or color discrimination. The files also contain summaries and testimonies of the

alleged discrimination complaints.

Record Group 159 Records of the Office of the Inspector General (Army)

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the War Department by an act of March 3, 1813 (2 Stat. 819). Transferred to

the War Department General Staff as a special staff division, February 10, 1942; to the Army

Staff as a special staff division in the reorganization of the armed services mandated by the

National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat 495), July 26, 1947; to the personal staff component

of the Army Staff, 1972. Inspects, investigates, and reports on all matters affecting the efficiency, discipline, and welfare of the Army.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

In 1943, the Inspector General recommended that white officers be considered for rotational training assignments with Negro troops although it was not a requirement. During

an overall survey taken in the fall of 1943, the Inspector General determined that the status of Negro units had become difficult.18 The conclusion of the survey affirmed that the

Army did not have a uniform policy governing the activation, training, and employment of

Negro units and that the lack of such a policy led to the ineffective use of these units as

well as a waste of manpower resources. 

The RG 159 records recount the treatment of African American troops and the Army

Inspector Generals’ investigation of complaints of discrimination.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

III.159.1 Entry 25c Index to Decimal Correspondence, 1917–54; Organization File

[Company and Military Unit Index to the Unclassified and Formerly Confidential

Correspondence, 1917–54]. 3 in.

36
Arrangement: Arranged by subject.

a. Index cards labeled NAACP; Negroes; and Mistreatment. Loc: NAII; 190; 05/03/00; and

05/09/00-05/10/00; Boxes 11, 73, and 74.

Description: The index cards provide cross-references to War Department decimal file

numbers, specifically 291.2 (Race) and 333.9 (Mistreatment) with regard to treatment of

Negroes in the U.S. Army.

FINDING AID: NM-37

III.159.2 Entry 26d General Correspondence, 1939–47. 7 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 190; 07/03/00; Boxes 241–242.

Description: The records concern the suggested need for educating and training Negro soldiers; a congressional inquiry of alleged discrimination against Negro troops for crimes

committed in Germany; harsh treatment of colored troops by German civilians and white

military personnel on Furstenfeldbruck Airbase; discriminatory treatment of Negro Army

officers in Lille, France; and discrimination against Negro civilian employees at Wright

Field, OH; Brooke General Hospital (Fort Sam Houston, TX); and Norfolk Army Airbase,

VA. One significant complaint of discriminatory treatment was lodged by 34 Negro officers

stationed at Midland Army Air Field, TX. It was signed by 20 of the 34 complainants with

a note that the others would express similar opinions upon their return to the base. Most

Negro soldiers who wrote of their mistreatment requested transfers or discharges from the

Army. Included in the records is a copy of War Department pamphlet 20-6, “Command of

Negro Troops,” dated February 29, 1944, the purpose of which was “to help officers to

command their troops more effectively by giving them information which will increase

their understanding of their men.” Reverend J. L. Horace reported on his visit to nine

southern Army camps to discover how Negro soldiers were being treated by white civilians (German POWs were treated better) and questioned the War Department’s need for a

“Jim Crow Army.” Other records relate to inquiries on poor recreational facilities and other

issues at Dalhart Army Airbase, TX; Amarillo Army Airfield, TX; and La Junta Army Airfield,

CO; policy matters pertaining to Negroes; Executive Order 8802; and the utilization of

Negro manpower in the postwar Army.

III.159.3 Entry 26e General Correspondence, 1939–47 [Formerly Confidential

Correspondence, 1939–47]. 3 ft. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 190; 11/29/00-11/31/00; Boxes 85–95.

Description: The records regard allegations of disorders among colored troops such as a

37
reported shooting affray at Fort Dix, NJ, in which one white soldier and two colored soldiers were killed and five other colored soldiers were wounded. This disorder occurred

between white garrison military police and members of a colored regiment. The records

also regard an inspection of engineer activities at Camp Claiborne, LA; and alleged discrimination against Negro soldiers at Fort Benning, GA; Fort Sill, OK; Fort Huachuca, AZ;

Freeman Field, IN; and Manila Rehabilitation Center, Philippines. The issue of professional

qualities of officers assigned to Negro units was addressed, and a reference to the “Negro

problem” in the Army with respect to training, movement and stationing of troops, racial

tolerance, and respect for the uniform. Included is a graphic account by a white Army

officer (1st Lt., 25th Inf. George R. Britto) of an incident that involved a Negro couple and

local civilian police in Columbus, GA, during which the woman was forced to partially

disrobe. Other records concern the response to Civilian Aide William H. Hastie’s draft

report to the Secretary of War; racial disturbances at Barksdale field, AZ; the Detroit race

riot of June 20, 1943, that culminated in 34 people being killed, 750 injured, and 500

jailed; and an alleged racially derogatory statement made by Maj. Harry E. Watson of the

Air Corps. Watson reportedly made the remark during a telephone conversation with

Lucille H. Bluford, managing editor of The Call, on the occasion of Negro navigators’ flight

to Kansas City, MO. One particularly racially inflammatory letter was sent by William Eben

Moss, a civilian employee of the U.S. Air Corps Depot in Indianapolis, IN, to an Army

Inspector General regarding the “Race Problem.” Moss’s letter eventually led to his being

investigated by the Inspector General about his suitability for his civilian position.

RECORDS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE/MAIL AND RECORDS SECTION

III.159.4 Entry 29g Decimal File [Unclassified Through Secret Correspondence,

1947–62]. 9 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 333.9 (Inspections; Investigations—24th–25th Inf. Div.). Loc: NAII; 390;

71/31/04; Boxes 1013–1014.

Description: These are detailed Inspector General investigative reports of the 25th Infantry

Division and the 24th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War, with overviews of the

matters investigated, facts, conclusions, and recommendations. The investigative report on

the 25th Infantry Division regards alleged irregularities in the administration of military justice in the division, which was prompted by a telegram from Walter White of the NAACP.

White requested that Thurgood Marshall, legal representative of the NAACP, be permitted

to visit the Far East Command to inquire about circumstances surrounding trials by courtmartial of Negro troops. The Negro troops were being court-martialed for instances of

straggling and misbehavior before the enemy during the period July to September 1950 in

Korea. Consequently, Marshall visited and interviewed Negro troops of the 25th Infantry

Division who were detained at the U.S. Army stockade in Tokyo, Japan, to obtain their

statements on the alleged charges. Those conducting the investigation believed Marshall’s

long association with the NAACP made him sensitive to perceived racial discrimination

incidents.19 The files also contain Marshall’s summary reports of interviews with those

38
charged (and his memo to General MacArthur), summaries of trial arraignments, exhibit

documents, and IG witness testimonies. The report on the 25th Infantry Division concluded that the adminstration of military justice was in conformity with the manual for courtsmartial, that no instances of racial discrimination were revealed by the investigation, that

straggling by troops reached alarming proportions, that there was a lack of evidence that

the rights of the accused were jeopardized, and that a disproportinate number of Negro

troops were tried and convicted. The investigative report on the 24th Infantry Regiment

analyzed its combat inefficency and that of Negro troops overall. This investigation resulted from Maj. Gen. W. B. Kean’s letter of September 9, 1950, in which he recommended

the regiment’s removal from combat in Korea. Kean viewed the troops as being untrustworthy and incapable of carrying out the mission of an infantry regiment (the issue was

straggling). The investigative report made a recommendation to disapprove removing the

regiment from combat, to continue the present system of assigning Negro and white

troops, and to provide additional junior and noncommissioned officers in units with an

abundance of GCT test scores in Classes IV and V.

Record Group 165 Records of the War Department General and 

Special Staffs

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

The General Staff was established in the War Department, effective August 15, 1903, by an

act of February 14, 1903 (32 Stat. 830), replacing the Provisional General Staff and the

Headquarters of the Army. The Special Staff was also established in the War Department,

effective March 9, 1942, by Circular 59 of March 2, 1942. Prepared plans for national

defense and wartime mobilization. Investigated and reported on Army efficiency and preparedness. Provided advice to the Secretary of War, the War Department, and the officer

corps of the Army. Exercised general supervision over the Army. Abolished by the

National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 495), July 26, 1947, which abolished the War

Department and replaced it with a Department of the Army in the National Military

Establishment, later the Department of Defense.

The RG 165 records highlight the utilization of African American troops in the postwar

military establishment, military service of black WACs, allegations of racial discrimination,

and the interaction of various black organizations with the Army.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NM-84

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF

III.165.1 Entry 13 Security-Classified General Correspondence, 1942–47. 5 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

39
a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 30/07/03 (1944–45); 30/09/05 

(1946); 30/10/07 (1947); Boxes 188–189, 299, and 364.

Description: The records relate to the participation of Negro troops in the postwar military

establishment, employment of Negro lawyers as judge advocates, policy on the assignment

of Negro officer personnel, and alleged discrimination against Negro WACs, nurses, physicians, and members of the 828th Tank Destroyer Battalion at Fort Hood, TX. Other records

concern summaries of racial situations in the United States, Walter White’s interview with

Gen. Douglas MacArthur relative to the 93d Infantry Division, an inquiry relating to the

availability of Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis and Sgt. Joe Louis (Barrow) for recruiting purposes in Philadelphia, PA, an inquiry of Eleanor Roosevelt regarding the interaction of

Negro troops with the Irish, and responses to such congressional inquiries as the discipline of Negro soldiers at Camp Van Dorn, MS, stationing Negro troops in Spokane, WA,

“illiterate” Negroes supposedly escaping military induction, and the court-martial of 13

Negro soldiers at the Northport Veterans Facility, Long Island, NY. The records also contain the recommendations of the “Advisory Committee on Negro Troops Policies”; a survey

of midwestern camps and stations relative to racial matters; reports on Negro unrest and

disturbances, on the condition of Negro troops in the 92d Infantry Division, and on the

status of the 99th Fighter Squadron, and an investigation of the 76th Coast Artillery

Antiaircraft Regiment following an inquiry from Walter White of the NAACP, who wrote

that members complained of being denied opportunities to attend officer candidate school

and of being verbally and physically abused by and with the knowledge of their commanding officers. One unnamed member of the 76th commented “it is quite a task to

maintain the high standards of an American soldier especially while being depressed by

these race hating officers.” Also mentioned in the files is a claim that the 76th was inadequately trained to use weapons properly.

III.165.2 Entry 13a Cross-Reference Sheets [1946]. 1⁄4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Index Cards 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 30/14/02; Box 128.

Description: The records are used to access related files but they briefly summarize the

subject or topic, related topics, name of person or office from which the correspondence

was sent, name of person or office that received the correspondence, dates, and any pertinent remarks made. Such subjects or topics covered by the index cards regard the retention of Negro nurses and officers in the Army, and enlistment and mistreatment of Negro

troops. There are also references to the Gillem Board report concerning segregation in

military service, organization of Negro manpower in the postwar Army, protests against

the fraternization of Negro occupation troops and German women, and a Senate investigation of the conduct of Negro troops in Germany.

III.165.3 Entry 15 Top-Secret Correspondence, 1941–47. 1⁄8 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

40
a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 30/15/06; Box 6.

Description: The records summarize Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War Truman K.

Gibson’s report about the 92d Infantry Division (Negro) and of poor training on the part

of replacements leading to “straggling” during offensive combat operations. A memorandum written by a person closely associated with the unit, dated May 1, 1945, notes that

“though not definitely stated in writing, the real reason for the unit’s comparatively poor

showing, despite the excellent leader of General Almond, seems to be the inherent characteristics of the colored soldier (fear of the dark, fear of loneliness, lack of aggressiveness).” 20 Gibson believed that the officers’ club racially discriminated against Negroes, and

that colored junior officers did not think much of the promotion policy. The records also

contain war correspondent Walter White’s report on the treatment of the 93d Division in

New Guinea, in which he wrote that false statements levied against the 93d in particular

and Negro combat troops generally suggested “a deliberate if not an organized campaign

is being conducted by certain persons.”21 His comments were given at the request of

Under Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson and Assistant Secretary of War J. J. McCloy.

Rumors alleged that the 93d failed to take a beachhead at Bougainville even though it was

later reported “at no time in its operations in the Pacific has the division been assigned to

take a beachhead or anywhere else.”22 Furthermore, White noted that the Bougainville

assault was made in late November 1943 and the 93d did not land there until April 1944.

His report also includes a reference to “dumping” incompetent white officers onto to the

93rd, and statements of various officers attesting to the combat abilities of the 93d.

III.165.4 Entry 24 Papers of General O. L. Nelson (Deputy Theater Commander and

Chief of Staff, Mediterranean Theater of Operations) Relating to the Unification of

the Armed Forces, 1938–46. Neg.

Arrangement: Arranged by subject.

a. File labeled Integrated Personnel Plan (G-1). Loc: NAII; 390; 30/16/07; Box 937A.

Description: The records pertain to the “Integrated Personnel Plan” (IPP) that served as a

“corollary” to the War Department’s basic plan, in that “the latter plan furnishes guidance

for the preparation of the detailed plans necessary to implement portions of the IPP.” They

include information on the utilization of Negro personnel and of plans being prepared that

would (1) determine the MOS in overhead installations which Negro personnel could profitably fill and to develop assignment procedures to secure their selection, training, and

assignment to such positions; (2) determine the units (including combat) which Negro personnel could man and to fix the proportion in each type of unit; (3) develop assignment

procedures which would best assign Negro personnel to such units as are designated for

Negro personnel; (4) develop selection criteria which could best be utilized in selecting

Negro personnel for specialized schooling or training required for MOS in units designated

for Negro personnel; (5) determine the criteria for selection of Army education as a part of

Army training for Negro personnel; and (6) determine the criteria, if any, for selection

among Negroes of successful combat personnel and successful combat leaders.

41
RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION (G-1)

III.165.5 Entry 42b Cross-Reference Sheets to G-1 Security-Classified General

Correspondence (Entry 43), 1941–48 [1942–June 1946]. 4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 30/19/03; Box 57.

Description: These cross-reference sheets are used to access the G-1 Decimal File (Entry

43). They provide brief summaries with the subject, date, and correspondence to whom

and from whom. Topics covered by the records pertain to the conditions affecting Negro

officers and soldiers, promotion policies, court-martial investigations, surveys relative to

racial matters, and Negro blood donation policy. There are references to the use of Negro

judge advocates, mistreatment and misconduct of Negro troops, assignment of white officers to Negro units, utilization of Negro manpower in the postwar Army, recruitment of

Negro WACs, and the trial of Negro officers at Freeman Field, IN. 

III.165.6 Entry 42c Cross-Reference Sheets to G-1 Security-Classified General

Correspondence (Entry 43), 1941–48 [June 1946–48]. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 30/20/05; Box 125.

Description: The records regard the enlistment, inspection, training, mistreatment (by military police), and demobilization of Negroes troops and problems of Negro veterans.

Included also are references to race discrimination and “Jim Crow” in the armed services,

curtailment of Negro enlistments, marriage and paternity involving British subjects and

Negro soldiers, utilization of Negro manpower in the postwar Army, and a riot at the disciplinary barracks, Fort Leavenworth, KS, that was caused by racial tensions between

white and colored prisoners. 

III.165.7 Entry 43 Decimal File, 1942–June 1946. 2 ft. 8 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Colored Troops). Loc: NAII; 390; 30/24/03; 30/31/02; Boxes 

441–444 and 796–798.

Description: The records relate to an inquiry on the morale of Negro troops, policy on the

promotion and assignment of Negro officer personnel, demobilization of Negro soldiers,

and establishment of a training center for colored personnel at Kafertal, Germany. There

are references to the recruitment of Negro WAC personnel in the Army Air Force, utilization of Negro psychologists, treatment of the 477th Bombardment Group, discrimination

against Negro nurses and physicians, racial discrimination at Freeman and Godman Fields,

IN, and organization of Negro bomb disposal squads. They also include a study prepared

42
by the Survey Division of the Office of War Information entitled “The Negroes’ Role in the

War—A Study of White and Colored Opinions,” statistics on Negroes in the armed services, surveys of industrial racial tension areas and southern posts and camps, an investigation summary of racial conditions between Negro and white WACs at Fort Des Moines,

IA, and a report on the conditions of Negro troops in Great Britain. The records also

include an extensive list of “T/O Colored Units, Continental and Foreign” that participated

in World War II.

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION (G-1)/

CAREER MANAGEMENT GROUP

III.165.8 Entry 53 General Correspondence, 1946–47. 1⁄8 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 31/02/04; Box 51.

Description: The records concern the assignment of Negro personnel to the European

Command (EUCOM) and the establishment of a training center for Negro personnel at

Kafertal, Germany. This center would process all incoming Negro personnel to the EUCOM.

A stipulation was also made to provide more stable married officers and noncommissioned

officers, who would thereby introduce “the stabilities of family life” for a positive effect on

junior officers. Included also is a request for the assignment of a Negro liaison officer to

the civil government of the Virgin Islands that was made by the Governor of the Virgin

Islands, the Honorable William H. Hastie, former Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War.

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION (G-1)/

DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S ARMY CORPS

III.165.9 Entry 54 Security-Classified General Correspondence, 1942–46. 7 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 31/04/03; Boxes 49–50.

Description: The records regard problems with Negro WACs, treatment of Negro WACs at

Fort Oglethorpe, GA, congressional inquiries and other inquiries from Negro women, civic

and civil rights organizations seeking information on WAC admission requirements, and

discrimination complaints that Negro women were not being accepted as WAC candidates.

There is a reference to white opposition to stationing a colored WAC company at Gardiner

General Hospital, Chicago, IL, a list of Negro WAAC officers (as of Mar. 15, 1943), and a

request made to assist a Negro woman minister (Irma L. Moore) to become a chaplain for

a Negro WAAC unit. Moore graduated from Wilberforce University’s School of Divinity

with a doctorate of philosophy degree (Ph.D.) in theology and came highly recommended. The records also contain a transcript of a telephone conversation between General

43
Styer and Colonel Hobby on using Mary McLeod Bethune as a consultant, a letter to

Eleanor Roosevelt on conditions at Fort Devens, MA, a letter from the Alpha Kappa Alpha

Sorority’s National Non-Partisan Council on Public Affairs concerning segregation in the

WAC, and an Intelligence Division report entitled “Domestic Racial Estimate.”

III.165.10 Entry 55 Historical and Background Material Relating to the Legislation

and Administration of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and Its Successor the

Women’s Army Corps, 1942–49. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged by subject.

a. File labeled Negroes. Loc: NAII; 390; 31/08/03; Box 211.

Description: The records relate to 1st Officer Harriet M. West’s report on her field trip to

the 6th and 7th Service Commands in which she describes conditions impacting Negro

WAACs and also on a trip to Chicago, IL, and Indianapolis, IN. Other records regard

responses to inquiries on Negro WAACs and segregation and military discipline or the lack

thereof demonstrated by Negro WACs; an investigation of WAAC activities at Fort Huachuca,

AZ, and of the 4th WAAC Training Center at Fort Devens, MA; and a proposal to assign

Negro WAAC companies for duty with the 92d Division (that was stationed at Fort McCellan,

AL). There is an anonymous letter from a Negro WAC who recounts the experience of

receiving officer candidate training at Fort Des Moines, IA, specifically of treatment, and

opposition to segregation and overall acceptance by the wider community. The records

also contain a radio broadcast statement of Harriet West in which she urges Americans to

purchase war bonds and stamps and discusses WAAC history and its purpose and mission

“to train women to do non-combat army jobs in an army way”; WAAC Director Oveta Culp

Hobby’s statement to the Negro press on Negro WAACs and her address entitled “The Role

of Our Federal Government” at Howard University before the Non-Partisan Council of

Public Affairs of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and two black and white photographs of colored WAACs at Fort Des Moines, IA, that show them marching in formation and donning

gas masks.

III.165.11 Entry 56 General Correspondence of the Special Civilian Assistant to the

Director, 1942–43. 1

⁄4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 31/08/06; Box 172.

Description: The records pertain to an inquiry concerning the return of remains of dead

Negro WAC World War II personnel, consolidation of postwar small colored WAC detachments, postwar utilization of Negro manpower, and policy on postwar Negro enlistment

quotas.

44
RECORDS OF THE MILITARY INTELLIGENCE DIVISION

III.165.12 Entry 65 Correspondence of the Military Intelligence Division Relating to

“Negro Subversion,” 1917–41 [Security Classified Correspondence and Reports,

1917–41]. 6 rolls. 

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by master file number.

a. Microfilm Publication M1440: Master File 10218-1 to 10218-473.

Description: The records were compiled by the Military Intelligence Division (MID) to

cover the activities of Negroes in both civilian and military life for the pre- and post-World

War I periods. Documents reproduced in this microfilm publication are from a single file,

10218 “Negro Subversion,” from the MID correspondence files. Most of the records filed

under the Negro subversion heading contain information on three subjects: (1) radical

organizations and activities in the Negro community that had a potential impact on the

military from press accounts and investigative reports; (2) discrimination against Negroes

(military and civilian), including incidents leading to race riots from MID and FBI reports;

and (3) treatment of and performance by Negroes in the Army from MID Military Morale

Section reports. Records on the first subject cover both World War I and the entire interwar period; information on the second and third topics is limited to the war and immediate postwar years.

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION AND TRAINING (G-3)

III.165.13 Entry 211 Security-Classified General Correspondence, 1942–47. 1 ft. 4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 35/27/03; 35/29/07; 35/30/05; 35/33/01; 

Boxes 43, 172, 208, and 325.

Description: The records pertain to the estimated readiness of Negro units for overseas

service; assignment of Negro officers, medical officers, and Negro enlisted personnel to

the Army Service Forces; and the use of Negro quartermaster depot supply companies,

antiaircraft units, and parachute or commando service units. Other records relate to racial

discrimination, racial incidents at Camp Breckenridge, KY, behavior of colored troops at

Fort Custer, MI, utilization of Negro manpower in the National Guard, and the activation

of Negro military police battalions. Included is a copy of the draft report “Some New

Statistics on the Negro Enlisted Man,” a copy of Walter White’s report “Observations in the

North African and Middle Eastern Theatres of Operation,” and the Gillem Board report

“Utilization of Negro Troops in the Postwar Army.”

45
RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION AND TRAINING (G-3)/

COMMISSIONED PERSONNEL BRANCH

III.165.14 Entry 218 General Correspondence, 1918–20. 1⁄8 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negro). Loc: NAII; 370; 74/04/05; Box 25.

Description: The records consist mostly of cross-reference sheets used to access decimal

files but they briefly summarize the subject or substance of the reference. They regard the

number of colored reserve officers; assignment of a colored chaplain to the 10th Cavalry;

discrimination against colored physicians, dentists, and surgeons; discharge of colored

casual officers to Camp Gordon, GA; and the charge that colored officers at Camp Meade,

MD, did not receive proper information or treatment.

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF SERVICE, SUPPLY AND PROCUREMENT (G-4)

III.165.15 Entry 234 Security-Classified General Correspondence, 1921–46 [March

1942–June 1946]. 1

⁄8 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 36/02/07; Box 552.

Description: The records regard President Truman’s policy on nondiscrimination, the use

of Negro officers in special activities, the problem of Negro troops, and the use of Negro

troops in Arctic regions. 

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PLANS AND OPERATIONS

III.165.16 Entry 418 Security-Classified General Correspondence, 1942–45. 3 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 36/23/03–36/23/04; Boxes 471–472.

Description: The records concern allegations of racial discrimination in Georgetown,

British Guiana, and in Alaska and along the Alaskan Highway; racial conflict in the South;

a race riot in Phoenix, AZ; and a survey relative to racial matters at Camp Van Dorn, MS.

Other records pertain to the policy for the utilization of Negro manpower in friendly foreign territory and the postwar Army, movement of Negro personnel, augmentation of

Negro personnel, and use of Negro troops in the South Pacific and the Caribbean.

Included is a “Study of the Negro Problem in the Army,” Paul Blanshard’s report “Notes

on the West Indian Negro and Racial Policy in Panama,” and a copy of “The Negroes’ Role

46
in the War—A Study of White and Colored Opinions” that was prepared by the Survey

Division of the Office of War Information.

III.165.17 Entry 420 Card Index to Correspondence in Series 421 (“ABC” Files),

1940–48. Neg.

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by subject.

a. Index Cards (Negroes): NAII; 390; 37/23/03; Box 47.

Description: These index cards are used to access information in correspondence described

by Entry 421. The cards list the name of the person sending or receiving the correspondence, subject content, and date. They include a summary of a cablegram sent by General

MacArthur to General Marshall about doing everything possible to prevent friction on the

part of the Australian government and its citizens to the presence of American colored

troops in the Southwest Pacific area in 1942. The cards also cover a request for a informal

memo detailing the number of colored troops being sent to the British Isles (including

Northern Ireland), the issue of proportinate acceptance of Negro selectees between the

Army and Navy, the staff operations study “Victor Two,” and a petition advocating a racially

mixed volunteer regiment.

RECORDS OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT SPECIAL STAFF/PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION/

NEWS BRANCH

III.165.18 Entry 498 Press and Radio News Releases, 1921–47. Neg.

Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by date.

a. Files (labeled 15 May–30 June 1946). Loc: NAII; 390; 40/06/01; Box 112.

Description: The records pertain to the activities of Negro soldiers as reported in various

War Department news releases. They cover such topics as the European tour of Army

installations by the Negro newspaper publishers association, Negro reenlistees processed

at Fort Benning, GA, calculated Negro strength in the Army, the command of a military

police company by a Negro captain, the 320th Anti-Aircraft Balloon VLA (very low altitude)

Battalion, and the reactivation of the 999th Field Artillery Battalion with Negro personnel

at Fort Benning, GA.

RECORDS OF THE SPECIAL PLANNING DIVISION

III.165.19 Entry 501 Security-Classified General Correspondence, 1943–46. 11 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 40/08/05–40/08/06; Boxes 32–34.

47
Description: The records relate to a response to a NAACP inquiry on the Universal Military

Training Program as it pertained to Negroes, the use of Negro troops in combat, and the

participation of Negro troops in the postwar military establishment. There are many informative reports included in the records that are relevant to Negroes such as “Attitudes of

White Enlisted Men Toward Sharing Facilities with Negro Troops,” “A Comparison of

White and Negro Enlisted Men in the Army Air Forces,” “General Discussion of Training of

the Two Negro Flying Combat Units,” and “MOSs in which Negroes Performed Most

Satisfactorily.” Also included are Truman Gibson’s reports on his trips to visit the

Mediterranean and European theaters of operation and the 92d Division; report of racial

discrimination at Freeman Field, IN; and a National Urban League study, “Racial Aspects of

Reconversion,” that was submitted to President Truman.

Record Group 168 Records of the National Guard Bureau

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established as a joint bureau of the Department of the Army and the Air Force by order of

the Secretary of Defense, effective April 27, 1948, and by Joint Army and Air Force Adjustment Regulation 1-11-20, May 4, 1948, implementing provisions of the National Security

Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 495), July 26, 1947. The chief of bureau is a general officer serving

jointly on the Air Staff and the Army Special Staff. Advises the Army and Air Force Chiefs

of Staff, and serves as their liaison with the States, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia

on matters concerning the National Guard.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

In 1922, the key features of the War Department’s policy on the use of Negro manpower

in wartime were established, and they remained virtually the same until amended in 1938.

The creation of Negro National Guard units was the responsibility of the States and most

large American cities reserved National Guard units for Negroes between the world wars.23

Negro units requested by the States were required to be separate organizations in conjunction with the other authorized National Guard units. 

Prior to World War II, the combined strength of both the Regular Army and the National

Guard was estimated at 360,000, of which 6,500 or 1.8 percent were Negroes.24 To circumvent the likelihood of a racially uneven Army during military conflict, as was the case during World War I, a G-1 mobilization plan proposed the use of Negroes (and whites) in

proportion to overall population (around 10 percent). This plan also removed the “Secret”

classification on all policies concerning Negro manpower, and the subsequent assignment

of Negro officers in the National Guard was restricted to those units that were authorized

to receive them. 

The RG 168 records document the difficulties encountered when African Americans

attempt to enlist in various State National Guard units.

48
RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NM-3

RECORDS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU

III.168.1 Entry 344c Army-NGB Decimal File, 1946–48. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (General; Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 06/28/00; Box 808.

Description: The records are mostly index sheets that give brief summaries of the subject

covered by the decimal file and the cross-reference to another decimal file. They list the

correspondent, recipient, and date. The subjects covered by the records regard the integration of Negroes, utilization of Negro manpower, investigations of discrimination complaints, and enlistment procedures for Negro personnel.

b. Decimal File 322 (General; Colored Troops). Loc: NAII; 290; 07/04/00; Box 824.

Description: The records concern the organization of colored units in States as based upon

a policy “to give every possible assistance to the several States in their efforts to utilize

Negro man-power in the organization of the National Guard.” Included also are inquiries

concerning the National Guard’s utilization of Negro manpower and a reference to staff

studies for the President’s Advisory Commission on Universal Training.

III.168.2 Entry 345 Army NGB Classified Decimal Files, 1922–54. Neg.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 322 (General; Segregation). Loc: NAII; 290; 14/03/00; Box 1736.

Description: The records pertain to the Department of Army (DOA) policy on nonsegregation laws of States in relation to the National Guard. Various laws were enacted in such

States as Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York, although they were contrary to DOA

policy on the assignment of whites and Negroes to military units. Under section 60 of the

National Defense Act of 1916, as amended January 1, 1945, “the organization of the National

Guard, including the composition of all units thereof, shall be the same as that which is or

may be hereafter prescribed for the Regular Army.”25

Record Group 247 Records of the Office of the Chief of Chaplains

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established as an independent bureau in the War Department, effective July 1, 1920, by

the National Defense Act of 1920 (41 Stat. 759), June 4, 1920. Before World War I, chaplains

49
were appointed to individual regiments. During World War I, the Chaplain of the American

Expeditionary Forces coordinated chaplains’ activities in the Army. Transferred to the Chief

of Administrative Services, Services of Supply (SOS), effective March 9, 1942; to the Director

of Personnel, Army Service Forces, May 1943; to the War Department as an administrative

service, 1946; to Department of the Army as part of the reorganization of the armed services

mandated by the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 495), July 26, 1947; to status as an

independent administrative service of the Department of the Army, 1950. Provides and

supervises religious activities for the Army.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Army authorized chaplains by denomination from the major church bodies in relation

to their statistical standing in the censuses of religious groups. Negro chaplains “of the

right sort” served as officers for Negro units under the guidelines of mobilization regulations. Seventeen Negro chaplains in the Reserve Corps and three in the Regular Army

were available for service in 1940. Negro chaplains were leaders of spirituality and morality for Negro troops. 

Most Negro chaplains were usually the first persons called upon to be conflict negotiators whenever disagreements of a racial nature arose, whether they were between officers

or enlisted men.26 In addition, they were required to have special techniques for fostering

positive interaction between enlisted men and officers as well as providing the leverage

upon which such an interaction could be based. 

Although the Army sought to recruit large numbers of Negro chaplains for service during World War II, it never procured enough for usage with Negro troops due to their

unavailability. The one chaplain per 1,200 officers and enlisted men hindered the assignment of chaplains as many Negro units were under the strength of 900 men and therefore

they were not assigned any.27 When the lack of available Negro chaplains proved to be a

problem, white chaplains and in many instances local civilian Negro ministers or pastors

ministered to the religious needs of Negro servicemen.

The RG 247 records highlight the interaction of the Army with key Negro religious organizations such as the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church on the procurement of

Negro chaplains as well as the relationship between Negro clergymen, chaplains, and

troops. 

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE MANAGEMENT DIVISION

III.247.1 Entry 1 Decimal File [General Correspondence, 1920–62]. 3 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 080 (Methodist Episcopal, African). Loc: NAII; 290; 05/03/04; Box 76.

50
Description: The records concern requests for information or reference to applications

made for chaplain positions, inquiries on separations or promotions of chaplains in the

Army, the overall status of AME chaplain procurement status, lists of AME chaplains, and a

request by the Secretaries of War and Navy made to the Fraternal Order of Negro Churches

in America to designate a representative to travel overseas to visit Negro troops to stimulate the morale of Negro troops in Pacific war areas.

b. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 290; 05/06/01; 05/10/02; Boxes 199 and

405.

Description: The records relate to requests for the assignment of Negro chaplains for use

with Negro troops, the morale and problems of Negro troops, a response to a complaint

about the unexpected attendance of Negro chaplains at a church conference (First Methodist)

held in Montgomery, AL, and a recommendation not to add every Negro chaplain to a list

to receive the publication “A Monthly Summary of Events and Trends in Race Relations,”

because of a belief that some would regard the “magazine as propaganda and will misunderstand the motive of the Chief of Chaplains.” There is a copy of a letter from a regimental chaplain describing an “old revival” meeting at Fort Sill, OK (and similar services at

Camp Sutton, GA) that was organized for colored troops, and comments made by Negro

chaplain Capt. Jason M. Cowan of the 91st Engineers on “The Negro Chaplain’s Responsibility in Race Relations” that was written by an anonymous chaplain. According to Cowan,

Negro chaplains had a responsibility in race relations for being aware of the subtle handiwork of those whites who supported racial supremacy and segregation. He recommended

the use of a Negro chaplain as a consultant (with prior civilian and military experience)

on the procurement and training of Negro chaplains, and the placement of a Negro chaplain on the staff of the chaplains school at Harvard University. Included also is a copy of

the news release “The Negro and National Defense,” Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War

Marcus Ray’s “Report of Tour of Pacific Installations,” and a copy of “The Chaplain and the

Negro in the Armed Services.” In addition, there is a reference to a racially derogatory

comment made by a white chaplain (Theodore V.L. Harvey of Fort Ord, CA) before a

mixed church congregation, after which it was recommended to move him for service

with white troops, and the investigation of Negro minister Rev. James A. Brown by the

Atlanta Better Business Bureau for soliciting funds “for the education of Negro soldiers in

the Army” under false pretenses.

FINDING AID: NM-3

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS/ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

III.247.2 Entry 484b Chaplains’ Reports and 201 Files, 1920–50. 3 ft.

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by surname of chaplain.

a. Files labeled as follows (for those Negro chaplains thus far identified):

51
NAME LOCATION

Roosevelt A. Baker NAII; 290; 05/18/04; Box 67

Louis Beasley NAII; 290; 05/18/04; Box 67

John W. Bowman NAII; 290; 05/20/04; Box 168

Nimrod C. Calhoun NAII; 290; 05/22/02; Box 248

John A. DeVeaux NAII; 290; 05/25/06; Box 424

Thomas O. Diggs NAII; 290; 05/25/07; Box 433

Edward A. Freeman NAII; 290; 05/28/06; Box 574

Luther M. Fuller NAII; 290; 05/28/07; Box 583

Elmer Gibson NAII; 290; 05/29/04; Box 610

James C. Griffin NAII; 290; 06/24/01; Box 31 (2d Series)

Everett A. Hewlett NAII; 290; 05/32/07; Box 773

Elder B. Hicks NAII; 290; 05/32/07; Box 776

James R. Hinley NAII; 290; 05/32/07; Box 776

Oscar E. Holder NAII; 290; 05/33/04; Box 801

Andrew L. Johnson NAII; 290; 06/24/03; Box 41 (2d Series)

Warren Jones NAII; 290; 05/35/04; Box 899

Harlee H. Little NAII; 290; 06/03/07; Box 1068

Matthew Lowe NAII; 290; 06/04/02; Box 1085

Spurgen J. Mayfield NAII; 290; 06/07/01; Box 1227

David J. Moore NAII; 290; 06/08/03; Box 1284

Robert E. Penn NAII; 290; 06/11/02; Box 1424

John E. Percy NAII; 290; 06/11/02; Box 1426

Joseph D. Pruden NAII; 290; 06/12/02; Box 1474

Daniel L. Smith NAII; 290; 06/16/04; Box 1683

Robert J. Smith NAII; 290; 06/16/05; Box 1691

Albert A. Thompson NAII; 290; 06/18/06; Box 1798

Henry W.B. Walker NAII; 290; 06/20/02; Box 1871

Charles T. Watkins NAII; 290; 06/20/05; Box 1891

James S. Webb NAII; 290; 06/20/07; Box 1900

John R. Wesley NAII; 290; 06/21/02; Box 1916

Kenneth White NAII; 290; 06/21/04; Box 1928

Walter S. White NAII; 290; 06/25/03; Box 92 (2d Series)

Albert R. Williams NAII; 290; 06/21/05; Box 1939

George W. Williams NAII; 290; 06/25/04; Box 98 (2d Series)

Giles R. Wright NAII; 290; 06/22/03; Box 1975

Otis J. Wynne NAII; 290; 06/22/04; Box 1983

Description: The records relate to the overall military service of Negro chaplains of various

religious denominations such as Baptist, African Methodist Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and

others. They mostly consist of the monthly reports submitted by each chaplain, which list

the person’s name, date, denomination, military unit, and location. Furthermore, these

reports note the chaplain’s personal activities in military units, and joint or participating

services; number of pastoral, educational, recreational activities held; activities in civilian

communities; and remarks, recommendations, and other additional information provided 

52
by the chaplain. Some records document the birthplace, birth date, name of spouse and

parents, and education and work level experience of each chaplain.

FINDING AID: NM-42

RECORDS RELATING TO ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

III.247.3 Entry 2 Security-Classified General Correspondence, 1941–48. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 05/13/05; Box 3.

Description: The records pertain to guidelines on the participation of Negro troops in the

postwar military establishment, racial problems in the redeployment phase, and the prevention of racial disturbances in the various service commands. Other records concern a

reference to segregated mass services at Fort Bragg, NC, inspection of facilities for and

problems relating to Negro personnel at Camp Lee, VA, and Fort Benning, GA; and publicity policy on chaplains and their activities. There is also information on racial problems

and the chaplains’ activities, remarks made about the 92d Infantry Division, and a copy of

“The Chaplain and the Negro in the Armed Services.”

Record Group 391 Records of the United States Regular Army 

Mobile Units, 1821–1942

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

The 7th–10th Cavalry regiments were organized under an act of July 28, 1866 (14 Stat. 332),

with the 10th Cavalry being reserved for black enlisted men. 

RG 391 records provide insight into the regimental and combat history of one of the

oldest African American cavalry units from its creation to abolishment.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NM-93

RECORDS OF THE 7TH–10TH CAVALRY REGIMENTS

III.391.1 Entry 2123 Records of the Cavalry Regiments, 1920–41. 1 ft.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by cavalry regiment number.

a. Files labeled 10th Cavalry regiment. Loc: NAII; 390; 73/31/01; Boxes 9–10A.

53
Description: The records relate to the 10th Cavalry regiment, one of two regiments designated (and the 9th Cavalry) that were created for Negro troops under the Reorganization

Bill of 1866. This regiment existed until the beginning of World War II, when it was abolished and the troops were reassigned to other Army units. The records concern inquiries

on the regiment’s battle honors, regimental history, military training, and cavalry marches

(contained in a journal). Included also is a synopsis of the history of the 10th Cavalry

(1866–1919) and a reference to 10th Cavalry troops being nominated and selected to

receive the “Shipp Memorial Trophy,” named for Lt. William Ewen Shipp, a regimental

officer who was killed leading a platoon up San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American

War in 1898. 

54
Part IV

Modern Army Cluster

Record Group 160 Records of Headquarters Army Service Forces

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the War Department by General Order 14, War Department, March 12, 1943.

Its immediate predecessor agency was the Services of Supply (SOS), 1942–43. The Army

Service Forces (ASF) provided services and supplies to meet military requirements except

those unique to the Army Air Forces. Abolished effective June 11, 1946, implementing

E.O. 9722, May 13, 1946.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

As the ASF (which managed service commands and posts) gained increased responsibility

for Negro troops, it became extremely important to place the prevention of racial tension

high on its list of priorities.

The RG 160 records demonstrate the treatment, training, entertainment, and utilization

of African American soldiers.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NM-25

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL

IV.160.1 Entry 1 Lt. Gen. Somervell’s Desk File, 1942–44. 1⁄4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by subject.

a. Files (Negroes 1944–45). Loc: NAII; 390; 26/16/02; 26/16/06; Boxes 13 and 35.

Description: The records relate to a report on the racial situation in the United States (Oct.

15–28, 1944) covering military incidents by groups or individuals occurring at Camp Shelby,

MS; Fort Jackson, SC; Alliance Army Air Base, NE; Midland Army Air Field, TX; Camp

Pickett, VA; Eglin Field, FL; Aberdeen, MD; and Indiantown Gap, PA, where a white military policeman was punished for using unnecessary force while arresting three Negro

AWOLs in Pottsville, PA. This report also contains references to civilian incidents such as

cross burnings by whites resenting the importation of Negro coal miners in Smithfield,

OH. Other topics covered by the records concern actions taken to improve the welfare

and use of Negro troops and civilians working in war industries, an alleged racial state55
ment made by Somervell, a lack of transportation for colored troops at different posts in

the South, and recommendations of the Committee on Racial Problems regarding redeployment training for Negro troops. This committee was organized to study and recommend ways or means to improve conditions and raise the morale and efficiency of Negro

troops. Included also is Somervell’s letter to a Negro soldier stationed in Germany who

inquired about furloughs for troops to go home. He remarked to Pfc. Timothy Taylor of

the 3203d Quartermaster Service Company, “I am sure that no real soldier would want to

come home at once if he knows his job is not yet finished and that by doing so he may

endanger the lives of his comrades and lengthen the war.”28 Somervell’s letter also indicates how ASF troops would be deployed to other areas, used to establish new depots

and equip troops, and eventually discharged from the service. 

RECORDS OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR SERVICE COMMANDS

IV.160.2 Entry 13 Correspondence Files, 1943–45. 5 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 000.5 (Crimes, criminals, offenses, and domestic subversive activities). 

Loc: NAII; 390; 26/17/06; Box 1.

Description: The records pertain to an investigation of the alleged brutal treatment of

Negro Army Pvt. Nelson M. Seals by a civilian policeman in Jackson, MS. Private Seals was

reportedly beaten over the head and about the face with a blackjack. The incident culminated during the arrest of two colored soldiers on charges of drunk and disorderly conduct

in which Seals did not participate. His stepfather, Zilford Carter, wrote a letter to the commanding company officer, Congressman Robert Grant, and the War Department. Carter

noted in his letter “You as a commanding officer of the United States Army . . . should

take a stand against that kind of treatment of Negro soldiers and should further see to it

that the culprits who commit such acts of violence on Negro soldiers, receive just punishment.”29 Included also is a written statement of Private Seals describing the incident and

affidavits of those involved. The investigative report concluded that Private Seals, whom

his commanding officer believed to be a habitual troublemaker, may have been abused,

but this was denied by the civilian policeman who made the arrest. Contained also in the

file are affidavits of the investigating detective and others involved in the case.

b. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 26/18/01; Box 17.

Description: The records relate to racial problems in the redeployment phase with specific

recommendations that Negro units be returned to the United States for redeployment training in proportion to their strength. There are reports of racial incidents involving possible

mutiny at Camp Shelby, MS, and Camp Plauche, LA; German prisoners of war (POWs) at

MacDill Army Airfield, FL, refusing to work in the hospital that allowed Negro patients to

eat in the cafeteria; a verbal confrontation between colored soldiers and Italians at Fort

Lawton, WA, that resulted in an Italian being hanged; and an attack upon Negro troops of

the 3173d Quartermaster Company at Camp Butner, ND, by a civilian bus driver that ended

in the death of one soldier. The records contain references to white opposition to Negro

56
WACs being housed in new barracks at Gardiner General Hospital on Lake Shore Drive in

Chicago, IL; racial conditions at Fox Hill Terminal, NY (Stapleton, Staten Island vicinity),

where “agitation is carried on by white civilians who are spreading rumors that Negro soldiers are committing crimes;” and opposition to the assignment and use of Negro troops at

Sierra Ordnance Depot in Herlong, CA. Moreover, the records also include an investigative

report concerning the special service activities at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, AR, in which

Lena Horne, stage and screen star, was scheduled to appear. Horne encountered numerous mechanical problems with the equipment (public address system and microphone)

and was dissatisfied with how her shows were arranged overall. It was further noted that

Lena Horne complained of a “bad throat” and of the few number of Negroes who attended her performances as she had made a special request for them to receive preferential

seating. Most of the Negro soldiers interviewed indicated that they did not know of the

special seating nor did they think Horne’s performances had been well publicized. Their

interviews were in direct contradiction of special services officials’ reported statements.

RECORDS OF THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION

IV.160.3 Entry 21 Decimal Correspondence File, 1942–43. 1⁄4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 26/19/04; Box 2.

Description: The records concern the education and instruction of Negro troops with regard

to those who were in the South for the first time and who were unaccustomed to the attitudes and traditions of southern communities. A recommendation was made to implement

this training to counter racial antagonism and maintain peace. Included is an extract of “The

Negro Problem and Its Factor” that examines the Negro situation in the United States and

the implication of the “Double-V Campaign” of seeking equality at home and abroad. There

is also a reference to an unauthorized questionnaire being distributed to Negro troops at

Camp Lee, VA, by inexperienced persons. Questions asked in the questionnaire were “Do

you think the Negro is getting a fair break in the Army and Navy?”; “Do you think the Negro

has anything to gain by the war?”; and “Do you think Negroes favor Germans, {Japanese},

and Communists?” Other topics covered by the records regard the availability of recreational

and exchange facilities for Negro troops at Tuskegee Airbase, AL, and Fort Huachuca, AZ.

RECORDS OF THE PLANNING DIVISION

IV.160.4 Entry 28 Subject File, 1941–46. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged by subject.

a. Files labeled Negro Personnel; Participation of Negro Troops in PWME; ASF Study 

Concerning Participation of Negro Troops in postwar military establishment. Loc: NAII; 

390; 26/22/02; Boxes 46–47.

57
Description: The records relate to the organization and policy of Negro manpower in the

postwar Army, specifically in connection to grouping Negro units with white units as

organic parts of larger units, the employment of Negro manpower with special skills or

qualifications, and stationing Negro units in localities or communities where attitudes were

most favorable to such stationing. There is a memorandum on the “Use of Negro

Personnel in Transportation Corps Units” for which approval was given by the War

Department to use only white personnel, and a recommendation of Maj. Frank Speir

against such use of Negro troops. Speir believed that the Negro soldier was seldom capable of operating and handling a DUKW due to a lack of education, technical ability, and

mechanical aptitude. The records also contain copies of “Historical Report of Performance

of ASF Negro Troops Both in the U.S. and Overseas,” “Historical Report of Actual

Experience in Training,” and a summary of the ASF position on the reconvening of the

Gillem Board on Negro Manpower.

RECORDS OF THE CONTROL DIVISION

IV.160.5 Entry 81 General Correspondence Files, 1942–46. 1 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 26/33/05; Boxes 240–241.

Description: The records regard the utilization of Negro manpower in the postwar Army as

outlined in War Department Circular 124 (1946) and the demobilization of Negro soldiers

with the end of World War II. They also concern NAACP activity in the “Columbia Riot

Case” (Columbia, TN). An account taken from East Tennessee News (Negro press) reported Walter White as stating “There was strong indication that State highway patrolmen and

militiamen had looted Negro business establishments” and “Governor McCord and his secretary Bayard Tarpley boast of tapping the telephone wires on all calls to and from the

Negro district of Columbia.” Other records pertain to the availability of religious services

for Negro troops, copies of “Monthly Summary of Events and Trends in Race Relations,”

an NAACP complaint that Negro officers at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, had to use segregated mess facilities, a planned demonstration by the “United Negro Veterans” group to

march on the city hall of Atlanta, GA, to advocate the use of Negro police in Negro districts and to protest police brutality against Negroes, and an NAACP report of its tours of

Army installations such as Camp Livingston, LA; Fort Bragg, NC; Camp Gordon Johnston,

FL; Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; and Fort Dix, NJ. In addition, there are references to

racial discrimination at Camp Shelby, MS; opposition to segregated dances at Fort

Hancock, NJ; a congressional inquiry of Alabama Senator Theodore Bilbo on the policy of

housing Negro patients with white patients at a hospital in Tuscaloosa, AL; and a letter

from Cpl. J. C. Wilson, Jr., who wrote of the mistreatment of Bahamian and Jamaican prisoners confined at formerly abandoned Army Camp Murphy, FL. According to Wilson, a

detachment of 180 enlisted men and officers were sent to Camp Murphy to “preserve

order” among prisoners being processed for return to their islands. He wrote further,

“Officers have had us confine several Negroes for minor offenses such as arguing . . . or

58
not moving fast enough when told . . . I am not a Negro lover but I do believe in justice

for all and our constitution gives everyone a right of trial.” 30

IV.160.6 Entry 82 General Correspondence Files, 1942–46 [Confidential]. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 390; 27/02/01; Box 409.

Description: The records pertain to the utilization of Negro personnel and the participation

of Negro troops in the postwar military establishment (with a brief summary of an ad hoc

committee’s recommendations). Others records concern problems of Negro personnel in

the Army Service Forces, inspection of facilities, opposition to stationing Negro WACs at

Gardiner General Hospital in Chicago, IL, and the redeployment of the 92d Division. In a

letter to the President, Mrs. Addie Brooks Flowers refers to an incident that occurred at the

Illinois Central Railroad Station in Jackson, MS, where a group of Negro soldiers who recently returned from overseas were beaten by civilian police officers while military policemen stood by and watched. 

RECORDS OF THE INTELLIGENCE DIVISION

IV.160.7 Entry 103 General Decimal File, 1943–46. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 27/13/04; Box 50.

Description: The records relate to racial tension as reported by confidential informants.

These reports include the Navy courts-martial of Negro sailors in San Francisco, CA, and a

lecture by Eslanda Goode Robeson (Mrs. Paul Robeson), anthropologist and author of

African Journey. An informant noted that Mrs. Robeson spoke on the topic of “the future

of Africa” at the Asbury Methodist Church in Washington, DC, before a bookstore crowd

of 350. At the Chrysler Corporation tank arsenal in Warren township, MI, a middle-aged

white woman was believed to be have been improperly approached by a Negro employee. Upon being informed of the incident Stanley Novak, a prominent CIO union leader at

the plant, formed a noose from a rope and threatened to hang the Negro employee. Novak

was discharged by the company for his actions. Included also is an extract from an intelligence report regarding comments made by white enlisted men who were annoyed about

the “royal” treatment of American Negro soldiers in Scotland and their interaction with

white women. Also included in the records is a reference to the desertion of 200 Negroes

from Camp Kilmer, NJ, a strike at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, OH,

that resulted when three white women refused to work alongside a Negro woman, an investigative report of discrimination against Negroes at the New Orleans Port of Embarkation,

LA, and a report of a racial incident at Maxwell Airfield, AL, involving four Negro women

who sought service at a segregated cafeteria.

59
RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL/

INDUSTRIAL PERSONNEL DIVISION

IV.160.8 Entry 169 Central Decimal Files, 1942–44. 6 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Discrimination). Loc: NAII; 390; 29/05/01–29/05/02; Boxes 602–603.

Description: The records concern the investigation by the President’s Committee on Fair

Employment Practices of a complaint filed by Negro women who were denied employment

at General Cable Company in Kansas City, MO, in direct violation of Executive Order 8802.

General Cable Company, a contractor of the Signal Corps, admitted to not hiring them because they were Negroes. Although this company had approximately 9.5 percent of its

total personnel as colored, none were employed in production jobs, only janitorial and

labor-related occupations. Other discriminatory practices were noted as occurring at the

McQuay-Norris Manufacturing Company in St. Louis, MO; quartermaster depots at Fort

Belvoir, VA, and Fort Jackson, SC; Richmond Army Depot, VA; and C.H. Treadwell at the

Centreville Cantonment, MS. The records contain a report entitled “Developments in the

Employment of Negroes in War Industries,” which was prepared by the War Manpower

Commission on October 16, 1943. This report acknowledged a need to remove discriminatory barriers in smaller individual establishments. There is also a reference to the constitutionality of employing State prisoners in War Department facilities.

IV.160.9 Entry 178 Race Relations Analyst Files, 1942–46. 1 ft. 3 in.

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by subject.

a. Files labeled Aliens through Western Electric. Loc: NAII; 390; 29/09/03; Boxes 809–811.

Description: The records were compiled by Lemuel L. Foster in his position as race relations

analyst in the Industrial Personnel Division of the Army Service Forces (ASF). Foster served

as technical adviser and consultant on problems of racial and minority group relations for

labor relations and civilian personnel officials of ASF, in an effort to prevent discrimination

against members of minority groups (particularly Negroes) employed by the War Department

or its contractors. Topics include boxing champion Joe Louis’s visit to Wright Field, OH,

where he met and dined with numerous Negro troops. There are observations and comments of Chauncey Spencer of the “Race Relations Institute Conference on Federal Policies,”

held July 9–14, 1945, at Fisk University in Nashville, TN. Many conference speakers were

representatives of War Department organizations, and they spoke on present and future

policies concerning their respective agencies before a racially mixed group of whites and

Negroes. Included also is a copy of an extract from a Washington Times-Herald article

titled “Negroes Petition for Removal of Gen. Somervell,” which asked President Franklin D.

Roosevelt to remove him due to his remarks about Negro soldiers. There is a reference to

the Detroit race riot of June 21, 1943, racial discrimination complaints, and an investigation

of the Packard Company, where, Foster believed, there was a group effort between the

Packard Company and the Ku Klux Klan to keep Negro workers out of higher skilled jobs. 

60
RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL/SPECIAL SERVICES DIVISION

IV.160.10 Entry 196a General Records, 1941–45. 3 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 390; 29/23/07; 29/27/04; Boxes 212 and 383. 

Description: The records pertain to an inquiry of the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) on behalf of member colleges and universities such as Howard, Morgan

State, Saint Paul, Shaw, Virginia State, and Virginia Union concerning the Army’s policy of

commissioning men for military service as physical fitness directors. Other records regard

the Negro situation in Seattle, WA; summaries of racial situations in the United States; and

an “Inspection of facilities for and problems relating to Negro personnel” at Camp Lee, VA,

Ft. Benning, GA, Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, PA, and Camp Kilmer, NJ. There is

a letter from David Jones, president of Bennett College in Greensboro, NC, that was sent

to Secretary of War Henry Stimson. Jones discusses the inequitable distribution of funds for

Negro troops’ recreational facilities while thousands of Federal dollars and USO funds were

spent on white soldiers. Also included is an anonymous letter from a Negro member of the

85th Aviation Squadron stationed at Sioux Falls, SD, who complained of harsh conditions

and treatment. The investigation speculated that the allegations were unfounded and the

anonymous writer was labeled a “rabble-rouser.” In addition, the records also contain a report “Japanese Racial Agitation among American Negroes” that outlined racial propaganda

aims, parallel efforts in Asia, and activities in the United States to cause tension and solicit

support.

IV. 160.11 Entry 4 First Service Command, 1942–46. 1/2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 290; 38/25/01; 38/27/01; Boxes 8 and 84.

Description: The records pertain to allegations of discriminatory treatment of Negro

patients at the West Roxbury Veterans Hospital in Boston, MA, “Negro Newspaper Survey”

summaries, and “Summaries of Information” developed from reports of confidential informants. One such summary describes a speech given by Judge William H. Hastie, former

Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War, before a Boston community hospital in which he

said he knew from a conference held with “official big-wigs” that they did not intend to

get to the core of the Negro problem. Other summaries report the Board of Directors’

meeting of the Boston NAACP branch; A. Philip Randolph’s speech given at the First

Methodist Church in Boston, MA, on the topic of the impact of discrimination and segregation on Negroes; a speech given by Julian D. Steele at a Northeastern University forum on

racial tensions in America; a speech by Chaplain Luther M. Fuller at the Peoples’ Baptist

Church in Chelsea, MA, on his being tried by a reclassification board due to his sermon

“Morale and Brotherhood” that was preached in the Southwest Pacific; and meeting of the

Frederick Douglass Branch of the Communist Party.

61
RECORDS OF THE FOURTH SERVICE COMMAND

IV.160.12 Entry 12 Fourth Service Command, 1942–46. 7 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 290; 38/30/06; 38/35/01; Boxes 69–70.

Description: The records concern an investigation to determine the causes of disturbances,

disorders, and conflicts between Negro soldiers and/or civilian law enforcement officers,

white military police, and civilians, with findings on propaganda, social conditions, entertainment, and amusement. Other records regard racial difficulties in the Fourth Corps area as

based on reports of undercover agents, white and Negro; summaries of racial situations in

the United States; and recommendations to prevent racial conflicts. Included also are various

reports of racial incidents at local transportation facilities involving Negro and white military

or civilian persons that document the opposition of Negroes to segregated buses.

Record Group 319 Records of the Army Staff

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the Department of the Army by the Army Organization Act of 1950 (64 Stat.

263), June 28, 1950, as the collective name for all organizations responsible to the Chief of

Staff, United States Army. Confirmed by General Order 97, Department of the Army, November 13, 1951. Provides advice to the Secretary, Under Secretary, and Assistant Secretaries of

the Army. Supervises the planning, execution, and review of all Army programs, including

organization, operations, supply, equipment, recruitment, training, mobilization, and

demobilization. Investigates and reports on the efficiency and preparedness of the Army.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

RECORDS OF ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF

IV.319.1 Entry 2a Decimal File, 1948–54 [Security-Classified General Correspondence,

1948–62]. 3 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 270; 03/13/06 (1948); 03/15/02 (1949); 

03/16/07 (1950); 03/19/01 (1951–52); 03/21/05 (1953); 03/22/04 (1954); Boxes 429, 499,

580, 682, 806, and 850.

Description: The records pertain to the utilization of Negro manpower, distribution of Negro

enlistees and draftees, desegregation of “on-post” public schools following Brown vs. Board of

62
Education of Topeka, KS (1954), and the organization of an experimental unit of white and colored troops. There are references to a National Defense Conference on Negro Affairs to “present representative views of the Negro relating to service and treatment in the Armed Forces,”

alleged discrimination against Negro civilian employees (embalmers) assigned to the Army

Graves Registration Service, and responses to congressional inquiries regarding the establishment of a ROTC unit at Kentucky State College and training Negro personnel at Fort Ord, CA.

Other records concern a request for an investigation (made by Walter White of the NAACP) on

the refusal to permit Negro reserve officers from using the officers’ club at Camp Campbell, KY;

a cross burning incident at Fort Benning, GA; a race riot in Columbus, GA, involving Negro

troops of the 4th Infantry Division; and a racial disturbance at Camp Rucker, AL. Included are

copies of “The Negro in the Armed Forces,” and “How Do Our Negro Troops Measure Up?,”

statistics on the number of Negro West Point graduates in the Army, a list of Negro units worldwide (Mar. 1949) and a list of Negro units assigned or attached to white units.

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF INFORMATION

IV.319.2 Entry 47 General Correspondence, 1955–59. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 18/05/06; Box 13.

Description: The records concern responses to requests for information on opportunities

available to Negroes in the Army, on the 93d Infantry Division, and on the number of

Negroes awarded the Distinguished Service Cross during World War II. The last question was

deemed unanswerable “as the U.S. Army does not maintain its records on a racial basis.”

Other subjects covered by the records are communism in the United States, status of racial

integration in schools on military installations, a congressional inquiry about an alleged racial

incident at Fort McClellan, AL, and difficulties encountered by an integrated band from Fort

Bragg, NC, playing at an American Legion event in Durham, NC. There are references to

“executing a public relations plan” in conjunction with using Army troops in the integration

of Little Rock, AR, and an analysis of 40 newspapers “to determine if any editorial pressure”

was being exerted to force the President to remove Federal troops from Little Rock.

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF MILITARY HISTORY/MAIL

AND RECORDS SECTION

IV.319.3 Entry 142 Decimal File, 1943–50 [General Correspondence, 1943–60]. Neg.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 270; 18/24/07; Box 9.

Description: The records regard a response to a request for material compiled by the

Historical Division on the 9th and 10th Cavalry regiments, 24th Infantry Division, and

63
other Negro units. Other records concern the utilization of Negro manpower in the Army,

and analyses (summaries) on the origin and racial characteristics of the American Negro.

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF MILITARY HISTORY/

HISTORICAL SERVICES DIVISION

IV.319.4 Entry 145 Publications, Unpublished Manuscripts, and Supporting

Records, 1943–77. 5 ft. 6 in.

Arrangement: Arranged by an U.S. Army Center of Military History alpha-numeric filing

system.

a. File 2–3.7 (AB-C to CJ5: Manpower—Utilization of Negro Manpower). Loc: NAII; 270;

19/03/02; 19/11/07–19/12/02; Boxes 75 and 501–513.

Description: The records contain some brief summaries on the use of Negro troops. Most

of the records regard the draft manuscript (printer’s copy) of Dr. Ulysses G. Lee’s The

Employment of Negro Troops. The book’s purpose was “to bring together the significant

experience of the Army in dealing with an important national question: the full use of the

human resources represented by that 10 percent of national population that is Negro.” The

Assistant Secretary of War recommended preparation of the book in February 1944, due to

national interest and great value for future military planning. Lee served as an education

officer and editorial analyst in the field and headquarters of the Army Service Forces and

was later the military history specialist on Negroes in the Army for seven years.

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF, ARMY RESERVE

IV.319.5 Entry 149 General Correspondence [1948–60]. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Genealogy; Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 18/28/04; 18/30/07; Boxes 38 

(1948–54) and 4 (1957).

Description: The records pertain to a summary report prepared by the Civilian Aide to the

Secretary of War, James C. Evans, “The Negro in the Army: Policy and Practice.” They also

concern pre– and post– World War II historical sketches and the utilization of Negro manpower in the postwar Army.

64
FINDING AID: NM-3

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF/G-1 (PERSONNEL)

IV.319.6 Entry 26 Decimal File, 1949–54. 1 ft. 7 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 03/27/03–03/27/04 (1949–50); 03/35/06 

1951–53); 04/09/03 (1953); Boxes 571–572, 985–986, and 1406.

Description: The records contain a copy of A Study of the Negro in Military Service, written

in June 1947 by Jean Byers. This study traces the history of Negro participation in the military from the American Revolution to World War II. There appears to have been some controversy surrounding who authorized or provided Byers with access to Army departmental

records for use in writing the study. Included are copies of a report and questionnaire on

the utilization of Negro manpower, a study of Negro strength in the Army, and a report

“The Integration of Social Activities on Nine Army Posts,” an exploratory phase of research

dealing with Army policy and practice with regard to on-post social activities. Other records

concern the discontinuation of racial enlistment quotas, Air Force/Navy comments on the

proposed experimental unit, command of whites by Negroes, treatment and assignment of

Negro soldiers, survey of public school facilities on military installations, and allegations of

racial discrimination. 

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF FOR INTELLIGENCE/G-2

IV.319.7 Entry 47b Decimal File, 1941–48. 1 ft. 11 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 270; 04/26/04–04/26/05; Boxes 380 and

381A–381D.

Description: The records regard summaries of racial situations in the United States, President’s policy on nondiscrimination, evidence of the use of Negroes as informants to spy

on other Negroes, and information concerning possible friction between Japanese and

Negroes in California (9th Service Command) due to the return of Japanese from internment camps. Includes a survey of racial conditions in the U.S. Army, comments on racial

tensions in War Production Centers, weekly intelligence reports, and MID or FBI intelligence reports (mostly from confidential informants) on such topics as “Intermingling of

Races,” “Protest against Racial and Religious Intolerance,” “What Should We do Toward

Preventing Mob Violence in Our City and Racial Strife in Our Work Places,” and “Alleged

Movement among Negroes in Texas City, Texas to Fight for Hitler.”

65
b. Decimal File 350.09 (Intelligence). Loc: NAII; 270; 04/34/06; Box 780.

Description: This file contains a “Survey of Racial Conditions in the United States” that was

compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for use by the U.S. Army for intelligence purposes. The documents provide information about localities with FBI field divisions such as Denver, Des Moines, Kansas City, Omaha, Phoenix, St. Paul, Salt Lake City,

and Los Angeles. These reports cite estimates of each locality’s Negro population, degree

of foreign or racial agitation, influence of area Negro newspapers or organizations, and

Negro communist participation. The survey also contains an appendix that summarizes

such topics as “The Negro Press,” “Programs Concerning Race Relations,” “Japanese Influence and Activity Among the American Negroes,” and “Communist Party Front

Organizations and Negroes.” This appendix contains an index of all persons, newspapers,

and organizations referenced in the report. 

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF FOR ORGANIZATION AND

TRAINING/G-3 (OPERATIONS)

IV.319.8 Entry 92 Decimal File, 1948–50 [Unclassified Through Secret General

Correspondence Relating to Organization and Training, 1943–Feb. 1950]. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 15/04/07; 15/08/03; Boxes 13 and 176.

Description: The records pertain to a policy on the integration of Negro troops on the platoon level (within the Constabulary), an experimental unit of Negro personnel, and the

strength of Negro personnel such as at the Fort Sill, OK, artillery center. Included is a copy

of a Military Intelligence Division (MID) report on the National Military Officers Association

(NMOA), which was formed by Negro officers of the 7th Regiment California National Guard

who served as officers in the U.S. Army. NMOA was formed to “promote the betterment

of Negro reserve and National Guard officers and to integrate them into white units.” This

organization was supposedly infiltrated with Communist sympathizers and fellow-travelers.

There are references to training Negroes in training divisions, planned utilization of Negro

manpower in the expansion program and in units of the mobile striking force, opposition

to the use of colored troops at Atomic Energy Commission installations, and the visit of

the Fahy Committee on Social Relations to Fort Knox, KY.

IV.319.9 Entry 109 Bulky File, 1944–Feb. 1950 [Strategic Planning Records,

1942–Feb. 1950]. 3 in.

Arrangement: Arranged by subject.

a. Files labeled 92nd Infantry Division. Loc: NAII; 270; 15/14/03; Box 28.

Description: The records relate to the proceedings of a Board of Review on the subject

“Combat Effectiveness of Negro Officers and Enlisted Men” (June 1945) that noted that

Negro officers lack pride and aggressiveness, fail to meet minimum infantry combat stan66
dards, and have practically no command capacity above the grade of captain. In addition,

noncommissioned officers were said also to lack pride, be careless and undependable,

and be unable to get men under their command to follow them in danger. Likewise, soldiers were said to lack pride, distrust fellow soldiers, distort facts, be unreliable, and fear

the unseen. Included is a reference to Truman Gibson’s report on the 92d Infantry Division,

in which he refutes negative comments regarding the division’s combat performance.

RECORDS OF THE PLANS AND OPERATIONS DIVISION

IV.319.10 Entry 153 Decimal File, 1946–48, 1949–Feb. 1950 [Secret General

Correspondence, 1946–Feb. 1950]. 4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 15/19/07–15/20/01; Boxes 171–175.

Description: The records concern the draft policy on the utilization of Negro personnel,

reduction of Negro enlistment strength in the Pacific theater, and action taken in the alleged

racial discrimination that grew out of a shooting incident at Coolidge Field, Antigua. There

are references to racial segregation on public carriers, Negro personnel charged with sedition, a report of the Negro Newspaper Publishers Association on “Troops and Conditions

in Europe,” and the failure of U.S.S. Croatan, an aircraft carrier, to embark Negro personnel at Le Havre, France.

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF INFORMATION

IV.319.11 Entry 260a Unclassified Decimal File, 1949–50. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 17/30/04; 17/31/06; Boxes 22 and 81.

Description: The records pertain to questions concerning casualty estimates for the 92d

and 93d Infantry regiments during World Wars I and II, and other references to the 99th

Fighter Squadron and the 332d Fighter Group. Other records relate to alleged racial discrimination in the 6th Army against colored troops in the 1401st and 1402d Engineer Combat Battalions, combat performance of the 24th Infantry Division during the Korean War

(credited with the first sizable ground victory on 20 July 1950), and the racial situation in

Germany. Included are copies of a fact sheet on the Negro combat soldier in World War

II, and a list of Negro troops that received the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star,

Distinguished Flying Cross, and Soldier’s Medal for acts of heroism in World War II.

67
Record Group 335 Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Army

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established by the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 501), July 26, 1947, to head the

Department of the Army, a component of the National Military Establishment created by the

same act. Transferred to the Department of Defense (DOD), formerly the National Establishment,

by the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 (63 Stat. 579), August 10, 1949. Develops policy and implements programs for the civil and military operations of the U.S. Army.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY

IV.335.1 Entry 5 [General Correspondence, July 1947–Dec. 1964]. 1 ft. 6 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 270; 21/28/02 (Jul. 1947–Dec. 1950); 21/30/07

(Jan. 1951–Jan. 1953); 21/35/03 (Jan. 1953–Dec. 1956); 22/16/01 (Jan. 1961–Dec. 1964); 

Boxes 71–72, 206, 427, and 1193–1194.

Description: The records regard inquiries about the U.S. Army’s segregation policy, alleged

racial discrimination against Negro troops stationed in Tokyo, Japan (as part of occupation

forces following World War II), segregation in the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, DC, and the

burial of Negro troops in Arlington National Cemetery. Other records concern a reference to a

racial situation in Gelnhausen, Germany, relative to the 547th Engineer Combat Battalion, utilization of Negro manpower, use of Negro chaplains and troops in World War II, allegations that

Negro servicemen were denied access to educational courses, and criminal sentencing discrepancies between white and Negro soldiers. There are also comments made by Congressman

Adam Clayton Powell on his trip to Europe (Oct. 1956), a copy of Gen. Dwight Eisenhower’s

testimony on the “Race Issue in the Army” given before the Senate Armed Services Committee

(Apr. 1948), statistical data on Negro Army officers, a copy of Negro attorney Raymond Pace

Alexander’s “The Negro Soldier in the United States Army—With Certain Recommendations,”

and a summary of Alexander’s visit to several U.S. occupation areas in Germany.

Record Group 336 Records of the Office of the Chief of Transportation

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the Services of Supply (SOS), War Department, to head the Transportation

Division, effective March 9, 1942, by Circular 59, War Department, March 2, 1942,

implementing a reorganization of the army authorized by E.O. 9082, February 28, 1942.

68
Provided transportation services and logistical support to the U.S. Army. Abolished as a

technical staff, effective February 17, 1962, by Department of Defense Reorganization

Order, June 10, 1962, under authority of Section 3(a) of the Department of Defense

Reorganization Act of 1958 (72 Stat. 514), August 6, 1958, and confirmed by General Order

8, Department of the Army, February 15, 1962, which continued OCT as an interim organization under the Department of the Army. Formally abolished, effective December 15,

1964, by General Order 39, Department of the Army, December 1, 1964.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: UD

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF TRANSPORTATION

IV.336.1 Entry 3 General Correspondence, 1940–46. 1⁄4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 190; 39/02/00; Box 119.

Description: The records consist of cross-index sheets that list the subject, date, and names

of recipient and correspondent. They regard a minimum requirement for colored troops,

transfer orders, segregation of white and Negro troops, alleged discrimination against military personnel by railroad employees and numerous other problems encountered by Negro

troops and nurses when seeking railway transportation and meals on board trains such as

in Jacksonville, FL, and Birmingham, AL. Other records pertain to an investigation of the

sinking near Australia of a transport that allegedly was carrying colored troops, the Fair

Employment Practice Committee’s investigation of discrimination in employment practices

by the railroad industry, and contractual agreements between the War Department and

railroads including antidiscrimination clauses.

IV.336.2 Entry 4 Formerly-Classified General Correspondence, 1941–46. 3 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 190; 41/32/00; Boxes 53–54.

Description: The records consist of summary sheets concerning racial discrimination, handling of racial incidents or disturbances, and requests for recommendations on the participation of Negro troops in the postwar military establishment. Included also are summaries

of “racial situations in the United States” and minutes of the “Conference on Negro Naval

Personnel” that provide opinions expressed by naval officers on training, morale, discipline,

entertainment, competence, and interaction between racial groups.

69
Record Group 337 Records of Headquarters Army Ground Forces

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the War Department, effective March 9, 1942, by Circular 59, War Department,

March 2, 1942, pursuant to E.O. 9082, February 28, 1942. Transferred to the Department 

of the Army, by Circular 1, Department of the Army, September 18, 1947, implementing

Circular 225, War Department, August 16, 1947, issued pursuant to National Security Act of

1947 (61 Stat. 501), July 26, 1947, abolishing War Department and establishing Department

of the Army as a component of the National Military Establishment. Organized, trained,

and equipped ground force units for combat operations. Developed and tested weapons

and other equipment for each of the combat arms. In collaboration with the Army Air

Forces, developed ground–air support doctrine and training methods. Exercised, June 1946–

March 1948, command over the six armies within continental United States. Abolished by

Circular 64, Department of the Army, March 10, 1948.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NM-5

RECORDS OF THE GENERAL STAFF/G-1/ENLISTED DIVISION

IV.337.1 Entry 8 Decimal File, 1946–Mar. 18, 1948 [Decimal Correspondence File,

1946–47]. 1

⁄4 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 190; 48/12/00; Box 54.

Description: The records relate to overstrength in Negro units, utilization of Negro school

trained personnel, and enlistment of Negroes in the Regular Army.

RECORDS OF THE HEADQUARTERS, ARMY GROUND FORCES

IV.337.2 Entry 55 General Correspondence, 1942–48 [Confidential and Secret

Decimal Correspondence File, 1942–54]. 4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 190; 58/02/00; Boxes 183–184.

Description: The records regard the participation of Negro troops in the postwar military

establishment as reported in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, enlistment proce70
dures for Negro personnel, basic training of Negro personnel, alleged discrimination

against a Negro member of the Enlisted Reserve Corps (believed unfounded), segregation

of Negro soldiers, and the alleviation of racial problem at Fort Lewis, WA.

RECORDS OF THE HEADQUARTERS, ARMY FIELD FORCES/

ADJUTANT GENERAL’S SECTION/COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORDS DIVISION

IV.337.3 Entry 55h Secret Decimal File, Mar. 17 to Dec. 31, 1948 [Confidential and

Secret Decimal Correspondence File, 1942–54]. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 190; 64/16/00; Box 4.

Description: The records concern the utilization of Negro personnel in the Organized

Reserve Corps, a study on allocation of divisional and nondivisional units with Negro personnel (of Army Ground Forces), and comments on the overall utilization of Negro manpower.

RECORDS OF THE SPECIAL STAFF/HISTORICAL SECTION

IV.337.4 Entry 84a Manuscript File “History of AGF,” 1942–45. 1 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by study number.

a. File labeled Study #36. Loc: NAII; 190; 71/21/00; Box 29. 

Description: The records pertain to a study of the Negro officer assignment and promotion

policy as based on recommended changes in existing policy, a report of a visit to school

establishments, and a rotation plan for white officers assigned to colored units. Other

records relate to Army Ground Forces officer candidate school quotas, minutes of the

Advisory Committee on Negro Troop Policies, and a summary of Brig. Gen. Benjamin O.

Davis’s visit to colored troops at various military installations in which he wrote “the colored man in uniform is expected by the War Department to develop a high morale in a

community that offers him nothing but humiliation and mistreatment.” Davis submitted his

report to John J. McCloy, Assistant Secretary of War and Chairman of the Advisory

Committee for Special Troop Policies.

71
Record Group 338 Records of the U.S. Army Operational, Tactical, and

Support Organizations (World War II and Thereafter)

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

RECORDS OF GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, FEC, SCAP, AND UNC/

ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF/G-1

IV.338.1 Entry 42824 General Correspondence [1932–47]. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 63/01/07; Box 24.

Description: The records concern the assignment of Negro manpower, participation of

Negro troops in the postwar military establishment. Also included is a grievance lodged by

officers of the 92d Infantry Division on the status of Negroes in the U.S. Army and on the

system of command of colored units claiming that Negro enlisted men and officers were

mistreated by superior white officers. There are references to the treatment of soldiers at

Fort Huachuca, AZ, Starkville, MS, and Camp Claiborne, LA. Also contained in the files are

references to investigations to determine the correct racial identity of enlisted men such as

Pvt. John Reilly, a soldier in a white unit who requested a transfer to a colored unit when

he wrote “the masquerade is over for me. I can no longer give my time physically and

mentally to the all important task of defeating Fascism while I live and work with men

who are completely opposed to my race.” An investigation determined that although Reilly

was white, he aligned himself with the Negro race because his wife was a Negro. Another

such case concerned Pvt. Sidney Bowman, who enlisted in a white unit but upon being

arrested for fraternizing with Negro troops and civilians was found to be colored

(quadroon). Bowman, who was described in the investigative report as “looks like a white

man, having fairly straight light brown hair and definite Anglo-Saxon features,” was subsequently transferred to an appropriate colored unit.

Record Group 389 Records of the Office of the Provost Marshal General

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the War Department, under the Chief of Staff, by War Department memorandum, July 3, 1941. Administered Army-wide programs relating to protective services, law

enforcement, traffic control, and prisoners of war. Directed the military police and maintained

security in privately owned industrial facilities important to national defense. Abolished effective May 20, 1974, by General Order 10, Department of the Army, May 8, 1974.

72
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Prior to the establishment of the Corps of Military Police on September 26, 1941, there

were experimental usages of Negro military police on a limited local basis. These limited

experiments determined that the use of Negro military police units in localities with sizeable Negro populations was beneficial in terms of bettering interactions among the military

police and Negro and local citizens and maintaining order.31 The early Negro military

police detachments were small in composition, and their general use ranged from special

duty assignments to full-time assignments. 

Following the directive that established the Corps of Military Police, base commanders

were required to report in racial categories, the designation, station, and strength of each

previously existing unit. In August 1942, ten Negro military police battalions and three

companies were activated, and although two more such battalions were planned, the War

Department decided to fill them with white personnel as were the two Negro prisoner of

war escort companies authorized in the 1942 Troop Basis.32 Provost Marshal General Allen

W. Gullion decided that because no Negro armies or corps were being planned, Negro

military police units would be limited to colored divisions.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS–A1

RECORDS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION/MAIL AND RECORDS BRANCH

IV.389.1 Entry 433a Classified Decimal File [1941–50], [Security-Classified General

Correspondence, 1941–62]. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 33/15/03; Boxes 68 and 169.

Description: The records concern racial conditions in Houston, TX, as depicted in an editorial from the Negro Labor News, “As I See It” by Editor/Publisher C. W. Rice. Rice wrote

that Negroes should not become pawns for Axis agents. There was an investigation made

into the matter of military and civilian police control of soldiers in Negro neighborhoods

in Houston, TX, subversive activity among some of the colored people of that area, and

supposedly inflammatory and sensational Negro newspaper articles and editorials. Other

records regard responsibility for the special protection of Detroit, MI, during the recent

race riot. Included is a copy of “Survey on Domestic Racial Estimate” to determine possibilities for mass racial violence, causes of racial tension, military and civil measures, and

action to reduce potentialities of racial violence. There is a particularly interesting congressional inquiry and related reports on the controversy surrounding a Negro guard accompanying a white prisoner from Fort Hayes in Columbus, OH, to Fort McClellan, AL, which

caused quite a furor. It was reported that Negro Cpl. Charles Washington upon addressing

a gathering crowd (mob) outside the Jefferson County jail in Birmingham, AL, “felt sure

that some mistake had been made in delegating him to this task, and that he regretted

73
it.”33 Some civilians felt that the assignment was deliberately intended to cause racial problems, but military officials believed that a mistake may have been made either in the unit

designation or race of the prisoner. 

IV.389.2 Entry 434a Unclassified Decimal File, 1941–54 [General Correspondence,

1941–62]. 1/2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; General). Loc: NAII; 290; 33/18/07; Box 245.

Description: The records regard a request made to detail a Negro soldier to assist in a narcotics investigation at Camp Davis, NC; a request for colored military police at Charleston,

SC; and a response to Eleanor Roosevelt’s inquiry on the training of Negroes at the Army’s

School of Military Government at the University of Virginia. There are references to racial

conditions in Houston, TX; a congressional request to remove Negro soldiers stationed at

Camp McCoy, WI, following an alleged attack made upon two young white women; rioting by Negro troops (4th QM Co.) in San Diego, CA; and a conference of Negro editors

that was held in the War Department’s conference room. It was during this conference that

Army Col. E. R. Householder made the infamous statement that the Army did not create

the racism problem and is not a sociological laboratory to right societal ills.

RECORDS OF THE PRISONER OF WAR OPERATIONS DIVISION/OPERATIONS BRANCH

IV.389.3 Entry 451 Unclassified Decimal File, 1942–45 [Unclassified Decimal

Correspondence File with Related Index, 1942–48]. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; General). Loc: NAII; 290; 34/08/06; Box 1268.

Description: The records relate to a discussion for an additional military police battalion

for the Military District of Washington with the end of World War II, as racial tension and

civil disturbances may occur given the housing shortage, unemployment, and the attitudes

of Negro returnees. There is a list of “Race Riots After World War I” that includes information about the race riot in Washington, DC, on Saturday July 19, 1919. This riot, in which

12 persons were killed, culminated after attacks were allegedly made upon white women

(a Washington Post article describes this riot). Other records refer to racial incidents or

tensions at Walterboro Army Air Field, SC; Seattle, WA, and to a strike at the Firestone Tire

and Rubber Company plant in Memphis, TN. Also included is the policy on the use of colored troops in prisoner of war and alien enemy guard companies, which was believed

impracticable.

74
Records of the Internal Security Division

IV.389.4 Entry 473 Race Riots and Strikes, 1942–45 [Reports of Race Riots and

Strikes, 1942–45]. 3 ft. 7 in.

Arrangement: Arranged by subject.

a. Files labeled Co. History on Seizure of Plants through Strikes in Key Plants. Loc: NAII;

290; 35/17/02–35/17/03; Boxes 1784–1792.

Description: The records pertain to standard operating procedures relative to the War

Department operation of plants and facilities due to strikes or other labor disturbances.

These Federal Government “takeovers” were vested in the President under several laws

such as the First War Powers Act and the War Labor Disputes Act. During World War II,

the President authorized the Secretary of War to take possession and assume control of a

transportation system or plant until it was determined that “such possession and control

are no longer needful or desirable for the effective prosecution of the War.” The War

Department seized control of such facilities as the Bingham and Garfield Railroad

Company (Salt Lake City, UT.), the Cleveland Graphite Bronze Company, and the

Montgomery Ward Company. The records also contain references to several labor strikes

that derived from racial causes such as the ones at Breeze Point plant of Western Electric

Company near Baltimore, MD, and the Ford Motor Company plant in Dearborn, MI. Other

records include a “Report on the Problem of Introduction of Negro Trainmen” in the

Philadelphia Transportation Company and a “Report on Riot Duty” in Mobile, AL, at the

Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company. There is also background information and

material on the Detroit race riot of June 20–July 9, 1943, that began as a fight between a

Negro man and a white man near Belle Island Park but quickly escalated into mob violence, looting, and rioting. A Life magazine article about the Detroit race riot is included.

Record Group 407 Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1917–

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the War Department under the direction of the Chief of Staff, by General Order

46, War Department, March 4, 1907, pursuant to the Army Appropriation Act (34 Stat. 1158),

March 2, 1907. Provided administrative and support services to the War Department and, after

1947, to the Department of the Army. Maintained personnel records, developed data processing systems, and administered the nonunit reserve components of the U.S. Army. Oversaw

the Army personnel statistical and accounting system, records management program, publications, postal services, historical activities, and special and heraldic services. Military personnel

management functions were transferred to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, effective

May 20, 1974. Abolished by memorandum, U.S. Army Chief of Staff (COS), November 17,

1986, removing the Adjutant General from the Army Staff, and assigning title and lineage to

the Director of Personnel Service Support, Military Personnel Center (MILPERCEN).

75
RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

Finding aid: NM–3

Records of the Administrative Services Division/Career Management Branch

IV.407.1 Entry 356 Classified Decimal Correspondence File, 1949–52. Neg.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 49/15/07; Box 23.

Description: The records consist of cross-reference sheets used to access the central decimal files. These sheets provide summaries of the subject, date, action taken and requested,

reference to other decimal files, and the name of the action officer. They cover such topics

as the assignment of Negro officers, and policies on the utilization of Negro manpower

and Negro officers. There are also some letters sent in regard to various inquiries.

General Records of the Adjutant General’s Office

IV.407.2 Entry 359a Central Decimal Files; Cross-Reference Sheets, 1946–48. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 38/13/01; Box 170.

Description: The records consist of cross-reference sheets used to access the central decimal files. They summarize the subject and list the date and name of person or office that

the correspondence was sent to or from. The records also cover such subjects as the integration of Negro personnel in Reserve components, policies and practices of the War

Department relative to civil rights, and the utilization of Negro military personnel. Other

topics regard alleged discrimination and mistreatment of Negro troops, the number of

Negro soldiers executed as a result of courts-martial, the report of the Negro Newspaper

Publishers Association on troops and conditions in the ETO, and training received by

Negroes in the Army during World War II.

IV.407.3 Entry 359b Central Decimal Files; Cross-Reference Sheets, 1949–50. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 38/20/05; Box 104.

Description: These are cross-reference sheets used to access the central decimal files. They

contain a synopsis of the topic, date, and the name of office that the correspondence was

sent to or from. The topics covered are racial segregation of draftees, Department of Army

policy on integration, treatment of Negro soldiers, discrimination against Negro soldiers,

76
requests for data on Negro cadets and graduates of the U.S. Military Academy and for

Negro military representation in Korea, and utilization of Negro manpower in the postwar

Army.

IV.407.4 Entry 359c Central Decimal Files; Cross-Reference Sheets, 1951–52. 1 1/2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 38/26/06; Box 111.

Description: The records are cross-reference sheets used to access the central decimal files.

They contain the name of person or office that correspondence was sent to or from, date,

and a brief summary of the topic. Such subjects are covered as the alleged movement

against integration at Fort Riley, KS; an investigation of discrimination against a Negro soldier; a racial disturbance at Camp Rucker, AL; and the employment of Negro troops during

World War II. Other subjects regard “miscegenetic” marriages; complaints of Negro troops

stationed at Camp Polk, LA; allegation of Negro personnel of the 666th Transportation

Truck Company being denied adequate meals en route from Louisville, KY, to Atlanta, GA;

and an inquiry on awarding military decorations, particularly the Medal of Honor, to

Negro troops fighting in Korea.

IV.407.5 Entry 359d Central Decimal Files; Cross Reference Sheets, 1953. 1/4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 38/32/01; Box 60.

Description: The records consist of cross-reference sheets used to access the central decimal

files. They contain the name of person or office that the correspondence was sent to or

from, date, and summary of the topic addressed. The files concern complaints of an incident

in Columbia, SC, lack of promotional opportunities for civilian Army personnel in the Special

Services Branch, problems of Negro military personnel in the custody of civilian authorities,

complaints of inappropriate or derogatory remarks made by a U.S. Army officer in Europe,

and existing conditions for Negro troops in the Verdun, France, area.

Records of or Maintained by the Communications Branch

IV.407.6 Entry 360a Army-AG Classified Decimal File, 1940–47. 2 ft. 10 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 39/05/04–39/05/07 (1940–42);

39/33/03–39/33/04 (1943–45); 41/02/06 (1946–47); Boxes 147–150, 1507–1513, and 3437.

Description: The records relate to investigations of discrimination against Negro soldiers at

Fort Worth, TX, Selfridge Field, MI, and Fort Leavenworth, KS, and against a Negro WAAC

77
at the 1st Interceptor Command in New York, NY. Other records regard racial or labor disturbances that occurred at such places as the Raritan Arsenal in Metuchen, NJ, Las Vegas,

NV, and Brookley Field, AL. The records contain investigative reports on more serious

racial incidents such as the alleged beating of Negro WAC Margueretta Nicholson by civilian police in Hamlet, NC; a “forced march” taken by Negro soldiers stationed at Fort

Devens, MA, after which many officers were relieved of their commands; and the shooting

of Negro soldier Reuben Pleasant by a civilian bus driver in Montgomery, AL, that was

described as a vicious, unwarranted, and disrespectful attack upon a uniformed soldier.

Included also are summaries of racial situations in the United States; allegations of

Japanese exploitation of Negroes in Little Rock, AR; a reference to the controversy of preventing Negro soldiers from marrying women in France, Italy, and England; and a request

by the Belgian government in Congo, Africa, that no colored troops be stationed or sent

there because they have “a standard of living much higher than that of the natives [and it

would] cause great difficulties there.” There is a copy of “A Study of the Negro Soldier,” a

controversial treatise written by 1st Lt. Fred W. Adams, 25th Infantry on the poor performance, training, and capabilities of Negro troops, as well as a copy of a study titled

“Negro Problem in the Army.” The records also regard the utilization of Negro judge advocates, nurses, and Negro troops in parachute or commando services. 

b. Decimal File 221 (Aviation Cadet: 10–1–44 — 12–31–44). Loc: NAII; 270; 39/32/02; Box

1449.

Description: The records concern the procurement of Negro civilian and military personnel

for the Negro pilot training program (also referred to as the Negro air crew training program) and to the shortage of qualified applicants. They document the support or opposition to proposed recommendations, test score requirements (AGCT score of 100 or better),

age group (ages 18–26), and physical qualifications (weight, height, vision, hearing, etc.)

by which potential inductees would be selected. The Army Air Forces and the Army

Service Forces were directed on January 19, 1945, to screen for qualified personnel to

meet the prescribed training program quota. 

IV.407.7 Entry 363a Army-AG Decimal File, 1940–45. 11 ft. 3 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 41/35/03–41/35/06; Boxes 1062–1088.

Description: The records are mostly responses to letters from Negro soldiers, Negro parents, Congressmen, private citizens, and organizations such as the NAACP on the mistreatment or use of Negro troops and WACs. One such letter was written to the President from

a Negro male who expected to be drafted soon, expressing his fear of serving with those

disliking his race. He wrote “I have an unholy fear, not of the enemy; but strangely

enough of my own fellow Americans . . . I pray that I will not hear on the morrow that

one of my relations, or friends has been killed by a fellow citizen because his face was

black.”34 Some other inquiries regard support for the placement of Negro WACs at

Gardiner General Hospital in Chicago, IL; complaints against the courts-martial and dishonorable discharges of four Negro WACs at Fort Devens, MA; the courts-martial of Negro

78
soldiers at the Northport Veterans facility in Long Island, NY, who were charged with the

mistreatment of patients; and Negro soldiers in Mannheim, Germany, convicted of violating Article of War 66 and sentenced to death. Other topics concern complaints against the

treatment of Negro troops of the 3402 Quartermaster Truck Company near Florence, Italy;

support of protests against the integration of Army facilities; a near mutiny near Camp

Plauche, New Orleans, LA; riots in Harlem, NY, Nashville, TN, and Camp Shenango

Replacement Depot, PA; and racial situations at Walla Walla Army Air Field, WA, and Camp

Van Dorn, MS. Included is a copy of Walter White’s report “What Caused the Detroit

Riots”; a report submitted by William H. Hastie to the National Lawyers Guild titled “A

Report on Civilian Violence Against Negro Soldiers,” and Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis’s

report “Survey Relative Conditions Affecting Racial Attitudes at Fort Clark, Texas.”

b. Decimal File 322 and 322.97 (Colored Troops). Loc: NAII; 270; 42/25/03; Boxes

2292–2293.

Description: The records are mostly responses to congressional inquiries regarding the

training, treatment, and service of Negro troops. They document the opposition to stationing Negro troops in such localities as Saulte Ste. Marie, MI; Eagle Pass, TX; Camp Pickett

in Blackstone, VA; Morehead City, NC; and Old Town, ME. Most of these localities cited

the lack of recreational activities, housing facilities, and small Negro civilian populations as

reasons for not stationing Negro troops in their communities. The records also include references to racial situations near Camp Robinson, AR, and Fort Bragg, NC, a request for an

investigation against conditions affecting Negro troops stationed at the Quartermaster

Replacement Training Center, Fort Francis E. Warren, WY, due to their exclusion from

Officers Candidate School, complaints of inadequacy of training facilities at Tuskegee

Army Airfield, AL; and a request made by a medical doctor for data on colored troops

from southern states for a discussion of the colored races’ physical fitness for military service. There are copies of various antidiscrimination resolutions passed by numerous civic

organizations, a copy of “Report of activities of the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War,”

and telegrams from Brooklyn, NY, and from the YWCA protesting discriminatory practices

in southern Army camps and the infamous recent lynching of a Negro in Skelton, MO.

IV.407.8 Entry 363b Army-AG Decimal File, 1946–48. 9 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 44/16/02; Boxes 718–719. 

Description: The records regard the Army segregation policy, an investigation to determine

the race of two soldiers (one who enlisted as white later found to be a Negro), postwar

utilization of Negro personnel, establishment of ROTC units in land-grant colleges for

Negroes, and training Negro troops in training divisions. Other records relate to a requests

for photographs of Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis and his son, Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr;

for information on the 11 Negro graduates of the U.S. Military Academy for a published

article; for data on World Wars I and II Negro Medal of Honor awardees; and for the policy on the burial of Negroes in national cemeteries. They also contain information on the

death of a Negro soldier at Geiger Field, Spokane, WA, and on various racial discrimina79
tion complaints of Negro soldiers at Furstenfeldbruck Air Base, Germany; Manila,

Philippines; and Fort Jackson, SC. Included is a copy of the Negro Publishers Association

report “Troops and Conditions in Europe” about an inspection tour of the European and

Mediterranean theaters of operation, and summaries of trends in the Negro press on conditions specific to Negroes in civilian and military life.

IV.407.9 Entry 363c Army-AG Decimal File, 1949–50. 3 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 45/10/02; Box 363.

Description: The records concern the utilization of Negro personnel in the Army, abolishment of segregation in the National Guards of Minnesota and Illinois; and racial discrimination complaints about the treatment of World War II veterans stationed in Tokyo, Japan,

and of Negro soldiers at Camp Roberts, CA, and the Korean battlefront. Other records pertain to the conduct of colored troops in the U.S. Occupational Zone of Europe, policy on

Negro troops during Caribbean maneuvers, and a Fahy Committee visit to Fort Knox, KY,

to check on all aspects of Negro problems in the Army.

IV.407.10 Entry 363d Army-AG Decimal File, 1951–52. 5 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 45/32/02; Box 329.

Description: The records contain a reference to the August 23, 1917, insurrection of Negro

soldiers at Camp Logan, Houston, TX, segregation of schools on Army posts, and various

allegations of racial discrimination against Negro soldiers of the 83d Antiair Artillery Gun

Battalion, and the 712 Antiair Artillery Gun Battalion. There is one particularly interesting

Korean War–era letter from a Negro mother who requested an investigation of conditions

affecting her son Rct. Louis Wilson in Company B of the 406th Engineer Construction

Battalion, stationed at Camp Rucker, AL. Although the charges were later proven untrue,

the mother alleged discriminatory treatment, and inadequate food and training. She wrote

“when are they going to stop sending northern Negro soldiers to the South and throwing

them on the tender mercies of the Southern civilian population? . . . I want my son transferred to a northern camp.”35 Included is a copy of “Memorandum of Conference” summarizing a meeting held at the Pentagon, and a request for medical data on southern Negro

males to ascertain the acceptance or rejection rate due to high blood pressure during

World War II and the present draft (Korean War).

IV.407.11 Entry 363e Army-AG Decimal File, 1953–54. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 270; 46/15/03; Box 129.

80
Description: The records pertain to complaints of alleged racial discrimination against

Negro soldiers stationed in the vicinity of Kaiserslautern, Germany; at the Signal Corps

Photography School at Fort Monmouth, NJ; at the Ordnance Course at Aberdeen Proving

Ground, MD; and in the integration of Negroes at the U.S. Military Academy’s Mess

Detachment of the 1802d Special Regiment. Other records regard the special court-martial

of a Negro soldier in Korea that was later revoked due to jurisdictional errors, and a visit

by Negro citizens to the Far East Command.

IV.407.12 Entry 427 World War II Operations Reports, 1940–48. 134.58 cu. ft.

Note: Only two samples of the combat operation reports are described in this finding aid

due to the large volume of records. Researchers should consult the reports of other

African American units for more information on their combat experiences and unit histories. A listing of the African American units can be found in RG 165 (War Department

General and Special Staffs), Records of the Director of Personnel and Administration

(G–1), Decimal File, 1942–June 1946 (291.2), NM–84, Entry 43, Box 443 (120 pages).

Arrangement: Arranged according to a numerical file designation and thereunder by date,

except for nonorganic units which are filed first alphabetically by code, and thereunder by

number and date. This filing scheme falls into three general categories of units (for purpose of classification): 1) theaters and their major commands; 2) organic units composed

of Army groups, armies, corps, and divisions; and 3) nonorganic units composed of nondivisional arms and service troops. For each group there is a coding scheme peculiar to its

category: for example, 300 (Divisions, Infantry, Mountain, Airborne); and FABR–15 (15th

Field Artillery Brigade).

a. Files 324–0 to 324–TF–3.9 (24th Infantry Division). Loc: NAII; 270; 55/21/02–55/27/07;

Boxes 7667–7990.

Description: The records highlight the lineage of the 24th Infantry Division, also known as

the “Victory Division,” from the Spanish-American War to World War II. This division was

organized at Fort McKavitt, TX, in 1869 as one of four Negro regiments that was established by Congress. Some of the division’s regiments date back to the Civil War. The 24th

Infantry Division is an outgrowth of the Hawaiian Division and was one of the first two

units (and the first Negro unit) attacked at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The records

contain historical reports of the division’s World War II battle campaigns in Hollandia,

Leyte, Mindoro, Luzon, Corregidor, Mindanao, and Sarangani Bay and during the occupation of Japan. The files also contain a copy of “The Twenty Fourth Infantry Division: A

Brief History,” unit histories, general orders, and some photographs.

b. Files labeled 392.02 to 392–3.22 (92d Infantry Division). Loc: NAII; 270; 65/17/07; Boxes

13620A–13620B.

81
Description: The records contain the infamous “Report on Visit to 92nd Division (Negro

Troops)” written by Truman K. Gibson, Jr, Negro Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War, detailing his March 1–8, 1945, visit that generated significant public response from those defending

or condemning the division. Gibson visited the 92d Infantry Division to obtain, observe, and

evaluate information concerning the “questionable conduct” of Negro officers and enlisted

men during combat as well as to gather information about racial attitudes that may have

influenced the division’s disappointing performance. His report noted the “panicky” retreats

and the “melting away” of units, the division’s promotion policy, racial attitudes of the command, and conclusions and recommendations.36 Other records regard responses of military

officials to Gibson’s report; references to the treatment of the division while stationed at Fort

Huachuca, AZ (examined in an August 1943 Inspector General’s report about racial attitudes

at this fort); and replacements and training. The records also include narrative reports of the

366th and 370th Infantry Regiments (part of the 92d Infantry Division); inspection reports; and

investigative reports about combat activities in the Serchio Valley sector by the 92d Infantry

Division, and the loss of 22 tanks from the 760th Tank Battalion (with testimonies); lists of

Negro enlisted men absent from their organizations; tabulated survey responses of 640 enlisted completed from February to March 1943; and other personnel related records. 

IV.407.13 Entry 429 Army-AG Command Reports, 1949–54. 23 cu. ft.

Note: Only one sample of the command reports is described in this finding aid due to the

large volume of records. Researchers should consult the reports of other African American

units for more information on their combat experiences and unit histories. A listing of the

African American units can be found in RG 165 (War Department General and Special

Staffs), Records of the Director of Personnel and Administration (G–1), Decimal File,

1942–June 1946 (291.2), NM–84, Entry 43, Box 443 (120 pages).

Arrangement: Arranged according to a numerical file designation and thereunder by date,

except for nonorganic units which are filed first alphabetically by code, and thereunder by

number and date. This filing scheme falls into three general categories of units (for purpose of classification): 1) theaters and their major commands; 2) organic units composed

of army groups, armies, corps, and divisions; and 3) nonorganic units composed of non

divisional arms and service troops. For each group there is a coding scheme peculiar to its

category: for example, 300 (Divisions, Infantry, Mountain, Airborne); and FABR–15 (15th

Field Artillery Brigade).

a. Files 324–1.6 to 324TK (24th Infantry Division). Loc: NAII; 270; 67/29/06–67/35/03;

Boxes 3469–3745.

Description: The records pertain to the combat participation of the 24th Infantry Division

and its subordinate units during the Korean conflict as documented in narrative histories,

war diaries, unit diaries, journal entries, and combat reports. This division was awarded

the Distinguished Unit Citation “for outstanding performance of duty and extraordinary

heroism in action against numerically superior forces in Korea” (July 2–Sept. 15, 1950).

Finding aid: UD

82
IV.407.14 Entry 1427a Index to WW-2 Operations Reports, 1940–48. 1/4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by subject.

a. File labeled colored troops. Loc: NAII; 270; 65/18/06; Box 27.

Description: The records are an index to the combat operations reports for World War II.

They provide brief summaries of such topics as the assignment and training of Negro

troops, the absorption of colored soldiers in white units, and white and colored troops

working and fighting together. Other subjects are Negro troop convoys, disciplinary problems, casualties, arrests, and courts-martial.

Record Group 492 Records of Mediterranean Theater of Operations, 

United States Army

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Headquarters, North African Theater of Operations, U.S. Army (NATOUSA)/Mediterranean

Theater of Operations, U.S. Army (MTOUSA) functioned between February 4, 1943, and

December 14, 1947, exercised administrative control over U.S. Army units, equipment, and

installations within a geographical area first designated as the North African Theater of

Operations (NATO), and after November 1, 1944, known as the Mediterranean Theater of

Operations (MTO) under General Order 111 Effective same date, MTO boundaries defined

as the former NATO boundaries minus southern France and Switzerland (both transferred

to the European Theater of Operations). MTO boundaries redefined, effective March 1,

1945, by Adjutant General letter AG 323/113 GCT-O, HQ AFHQ, to exclude Atlantic areas,

northwestern Africa, Turkey and Turkish islands, and Iberian Peninsula, with those areas

transferred to newly established Africa-Middle East Theater. Following end of war in

Europe, May 8, 1945, HQ MTOUSA engaged in redeployment training and in liquidating

its affairs in MTO. HQ MTOUSA abolished effective December 14, 1947, by General Order

205. Residual command functions transferred to Commanding Officer, Headquarters

Command, European Command, effective December 15, 1947, by General Order 206.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

Finding aid: UD

Records of Mediterranean Theater of Operations, U.S. Army/Special Staff/

Adjutant General

IV.492.1 Entry 84 General Correspondence (“Decimal File”), [1942–47]. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

83
a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 53/34/05; Box 912.

Description: The records pertain to the utilization of Negro manpower in the postwar

Army (in the MTO), enlistment of Negroes, a request for information on colored troops to

be given by colored and white officers of the 92d Infantry Division, and a reference to a

“No Negroes” notice posted in a Naples, Italy, hotel by Col. James E. Manly that was

reported by The Afro-American. Included also is a copy of NAACP secretary Walter

White’s memorandum to the War Department “Observations in the North African and

Middle Eastern Theaters of Operation” written when he served as a war correspondent

with the New York Post.

IV.492.2 Entry 85 Formerly Security Classified General Correspondence (Classified

“Decimal File”), [1942–47]. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 54/09/02; Box 1379.

Description: The records contain a psychological paper about the leadership of colored

troops in combat zones that was written by a commanding officer of such a unit stationed

overseas, with recommendations on how to instill pride and how to get satisfactory performance from them. The records also concern complaints of discriminatory treatment lodged

by Negro officers of the 99th Fighter Squadron, assignments of Negro correspondents to

cover Negro units in the theater, and allegations of poor performance and censorship violations among colored Air Force units as being “potentially serious possibilities in discipline and loyalty.” Also included are investigative reports on the 98th Engineer Regiment

covering crimes of the alleged murders of two Negro soldiers by white officers (one shot,

one hung), racial incidents, and inharmonious conditions between white and Negro enlisted men that were “existent facts of the social system in the United States.” There is also a

report on the “Combat Efficiency of the 99th Fighter Squadron” that was regarded as not

being of the caliber of a first-class fighting organization.

Record Group 493 Records of U.S. Army Forces in China-Burma-India

Theaters of Operations

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Headquarters, American Army Forces, China, Burma, and India (HQ AAF CBI), and its successor, Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces, China, Burma, and India (HQ USAF CBI), established with mission to support the Republic of China in its resistance to Japan by maintaining land and air supply lines, training Chinese air and ground forces in China and

India, and providing air support to the Chinese Army; to bomb Japanese bases and formations in the theater; and to provide equipment and services to British and Indian forces

operating in Burma and India. HQ AAF CBI was established in Chungking, China by

84
General Order 1, March 4, 1942, pursuant to Secretary of War’s appointment of Lt. Gen.

Joseph W. Stillwell as commanding general of all U.S. Army forces in China, Burma, and

India. A second AAF CBI headquarters was established in New Delhi, India, by letter of

Commanding General AAF CBI, June 25, 1942, pursuant to War Department message 35.

HQ USAF CBI was abolished, with functions transferred to newly established China and

India-Burma Theaters, by Joint Chiefs of Staff message WARX 51593, October 24, 1944

(under same message that removed Gen. Stillwell from command), both of which were

later abolished under separate orders in 1946.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

Finding aid: UD

Records of India-Burma Theater/Adjutant General

IV.493.1 Entry 36 General Correspondence (Decimal Files), [n.d.]. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 41/05/07; Box 57.

Description: The records regard the utilization of Negro personnel, participation of Negro

troops in the postwar military establishment (specifically in the IBT), and various statements in relation to Negro troops units. Included is a copy of “The Utilization of Negro

Infantry Platoons in White Companies” that contains affidavits of interviews with white

officers and enlisted persons from seven infantry divisions, and a report “Attitudes of

Patients Toward Care and Treatment Received in ETO Hospitals.” Other topics covered are

the policy on the use of colored troops in China, and the appointment of Negroes to the

Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) as agents because of “inherent advantages.”

Record Group 498 Records of Headquarters, European Theater of 

Operations, United States Army

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

HQ ETOUSA was established in London by General Order 3, June 8, 1942. Until the establishment of Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF) on February 13,

1944; HQ ETOUSA participated in the operational planning for the Allied invasion of western Europe. It performed administrative and service functions for U.S. Army troops, equipment, and facilities in the United Kingdom and Iceland, 1942–45; North Africa, November

1942–February 1943; and western Europe, June 6, 1944–July 1, 1945. Effective July 1, 1945,

it was redesignated HQ U.S. Forces European Theater (HQ USFET) in accordance with HQ

85
ETOUSA General Order 130 of June 30, 1945. HQ USFET was discontinued and replaced

by Headquarters European Command, effective March 15, 1947.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

Finding aid: UD

Records of European Theater of Operations/Deputy Theater Commander

IV.498.1 Entry 1 General Correspondence, 1945. 1/4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negro Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 55/09/06; Box 6.

Description: The records pertain to the use of colored troops that were organized on the

platoon level as volunteers for combat following their training as infantrymen, employment of colored reinforcements, and alleged discrimination against eight Negro enlisted

men of the 923d Aviation Regiment, who upon reporting to OCS were told that the school

was not accepting colored troops (reported by Brig. Gen. B. O. Davis).

Records of European Theater of Operations/Secretary General

Staff/Administration Branch

IV.498.2 Entry 19 Classified General Correspondence, 1945–46. 4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Problems re. Negro Troops). Loc: NAII; 290; 55/10/05; 55/12/01;

Boxes 20 and 85.

Description: The records relate to ensuring that problems of Negro troops in the ETO

were handled by competent personnel, responses to questions regarding the participation

of Negro troops in the postwar military establishment, a study on the utilization of Negro

infantry platoons in white companies as having “proved themselves effective combat

troops in the eyes of white doughboys who fought alongside them in the same units,” and

Chief of Staff William Bedell Smith’s letter to General Eisenhower on this policy. There is a

reference to a request not to replace white troops with colored troops due to the shortage

of housing, restricted recreational facilities, and the general nature of the mission. A news

release describes the 761st Tank Battalion as “wiping out the equivalent to three or four

German Divisions during combat in Europe.” This was the first Negro tank unit in combat,

and its troops received many commendations: eight enlisted men received battlefield commissions, and eight Silver Stars, 62 Bronze Stars, four clusters, and numerous Purple Hearts

were awarded. Also contained in the files are copies of a report (and a response to it) of

86
the Negro Newspaper Publishers Association’s inspection tour “Troops and Conditions in

Europe,” a “Report of Investigation concerning Negro Troops Disturbances in Rotenburg,

O.T., Germany,” and a copy of a letter from an anonymous Negro soldier in the 6975

Infantry Regiment Provisional about conditions at the U.S. Army camp in Auerbach,

Germany. He wrote “two weeks ago 10,000 German prisoners were here, they moved out

and left all the filth and disease that these places usually carry . . . it seems as though

Negro troops are being concentrated here.”37

Records of European Theater of Operations/Adjutant General’s

Section/Administration Branch

IV.498.3 Entry 372 General Correspondence, 1944–45. 1/2 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Negroes). Loc: NAII; 290; 56/08/03; Box 32.

Description: The records regard charges of alleged rape against a Negro soldier stationed

with the American Expeditionary Forces in Germany, racial discrimination, a visit of

Civilian Aide Truman K. Gibson to the ETO, utilization of Negro judge advocates, and a

note that the “Negro Problem” in the ETOUSA was a command problem not a sociological

one.

IV.498.4 Entry 373 General Correspondence, 1946. 1/4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 56/14/01; Box 310.

Description: The records pertain to alleged discrimination against Negro civilian employees

of the War Department in Germany (and the subsequent investigation of this matter), an

inquiry made by Negro soldiers assigned to the armored command about being reassigned

to the Corps of Engineers against their wishes, disorders in Ansbach, Germany, utilization

of Negro manpower, and a survey of Negro troops to ascertain their criminal behavior.

IV.498.5 Entry 375 Classified General Correspondence, 1942–44. 1 1/2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 56/17/01; Box 53.

Description: The records relate to a report about the racial problem in Great Britain with a

suggested solution of segregating the races that was viewed as impossible to do, guidelines for “inter-national and inter-racial relations,” policy on assigning Negro military personnel to the United Kingdom, the treatment of Negro soldiers, and a letter from a British

87
citizen of Somerset who complained of the treatment of such troops. There are also references to colored troops being refused admittance to a dance hall in Suffolk, England; a

report titled “Negro in Bristol Channel Ports”; a survey concerning the friction between

colored and white troops that was caused by “the resentment of certain white soldiers

against the association of the British people, particularly the British women, with colored

soldiers, and the absence of ‘Jim Crow’ practices”; and an investigation into the quartering

or billeting of colored troops at Ditchingham Hall in Norfolk, England.

IV.498.6 Entry 376 Classified General Correspondence, 1945. 3 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 56/23/04; Box 365.

Description: The records regard the participation of Negro troops in the postwar military

establishment with responses to a questionnaire on this topic as it pertained to the ETO, a

racial discrimination complaint of Negro officers who were asked to vacate the Hotel

Bellvue in Lille, France, and a reference to the courts-martial of 11 Negro soldiers of the

406th QM Truck Company who were tried for various violations of Articles of War—article

64 (willful disobedience), article 66 (mutiny), and article 96 (insubordination). One person

was acquitted, seven were sentenced to be shot to death, and three were sentenced to

confinement for life. The events leading up to these sentences are not documented in the

files.

Records of European Theater of Operations/Historical Division

IV.498.7 Entry 578 Administrative File [1942–Jan. 1946]. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. File 218 (Negro Troops). Loc: NAII; 290; 57/15/07; Box 43.

Description: The records relate to the policy on Negro troops in the European Theater of

Operations (ETO), an inspection report of combat support wing installations of the 8th Air

Force at Hill Farm and Grovelly Woods, treatment of troops, and opposition to placing

Negro troops in white units. Other records concern plans for improving the conditions

and morale of Negro troops, Lt. Gen. Dwight Eisenhower’s statement on the presence of

Negro troops in the British Isles and their interaction with British people, news releases

“First Negro Nurses Arrive in England (with names and States that they hailed from) and

“Performance of Negro Troops in France Praised” on Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis’s tour

of the ETO, a statistical report comparing white and colored troops (criminal offenses),

and extracts from censored letters of comments pertaining to or made by Negro troops.

88
Records of European Theater of Operations/Public Relations Section

IV.498.8 Entry 1083 [General Correspondence] Decimal File, 1943–46. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race—Negroes and Colored Troops). Loc: NAII; 290; 58/02/06; Box 3.

Description: The records concern the policy on promotion and assignment of Negro officer personnel; use of Negro troops to patrol streets in Manchester, England; racial disturbances or confrontations between Negro and white troops in Dudley and Leicester,

England; alleged discrimination against approximately 12 Negro officers and troops

attached to the 52d Quartermaster Base Depot, specifically of the town of Balleroy being

“off-limits”; and a problem of not granting passes to Negro soldiers of the Motor Transport

Brigade (operating on the “Red Ball” route) for them to go into Paris, France. There are

references to criminal cases being processed by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID)

near Cherbourg, France; a Negro soldier (possibly attached to the 27th Quartermaster

Group Transportation Company being killed by “promiscuous firing” in Belgium; and a

chaplain’s addressing Negro units on crime prevention. The records also include a copy of

an illustration, “Let’s Look at Rape,” created by an anonymous Negro chaplain advising

Negro soldiers on how to conduct themselves (by appealing to racial pride) in order to

avoid charges of rape made by French women; an extract from the New York Times article

“General Minimizes A.E.F. Race Friction” about Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis’s tour of the

ETO; and a CID response to a request from the Duke of Marlborough on “Cases in which

colored troops were involved,” which details the number of crimes committed, number of

troops involved, and convictions and pending cases (Feb.–Sept. 1943).

Record Group 547 Records of U.S. Army Forces in Alaska

The Alaska Defense Command was established February 4, 1941, by authority of War

Department letter AG 320.2, and activated on March 28, 1941. It was subordinated to the

Western Defense Command until it was established as a separate theater of operations,

and redesignated the Alaska Department in November 1, 1943 (pursuant o War

Department letter AG 323.361). Effective November 15, 1947, the Alaska Department was

redesignated HQ, United States Army, Alaska (HA USARAL), a service component of the

unified Alaskan Command. HQ USARAL was disestablished on January 1, 1975 (later reactivated on July 2, 1994, as Headquarters, U.S. Army, Alaska).

89
RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: UD

RECORDS OF THE ALASKAN DEPARTMENT/ADJUTANT GENERAL’S SECTION

IV.547.1 Entry 6 Alaska Defense Command/Alaska Department, 1940–47 [Classified

General Correspondence, 1940–1945]. 1 1/2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 39/13/03 (1940–45); 39/16/04 (1946);

39/17/05 (1946); 39/18/05 (1947); Boxes 62, 215, 271 and 321.

Description: The records regard the participation of Negro troops in the postwar military

establishment, utilization of Negro judge advocates, discriminatory treatment against Negro

troops in Alaska, a request made for the assignment of colored female workers to recreational activities in Anchorage, AK, and the enlistment or replacement of Negro troops.

Record Group 549 Records of United States Army, Europe

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

The Headquarters, U.S. Ground and Service Forces Army, Europe was redesignated as the

Headquarters, U.S. Army, Europe (HQ USAEUR) on November 15, 1947. In 1952, the functions of Headquarters, European Command (HQ EUCOM) reverted to HQ USAEUR. 

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

RECORDS OF HEADQUARTERS, U.S. ARMY, EUROPE/WAR CRIMES BRANCH

IV.549.1 Entry 2239 War Crimes Case Files (“Cases Not Tried”), 1944–48. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by case file number.

a. Case File 6–102 (Wereth). Loc: NAII; 290; 59/19/05; Box 26.

Description: The case file contains information about the investigation of the unsolved massacre of 11 enlisted U.S. Negro soldiers (POWs) by German SS troops on December 17, 1944,

in Wereth, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge. According to the sworn testimony of

Belgian citizen Mathias Langer and two others, these troops were seen surrendering to the

90
German SS troops but “the next day they were found dead about 800 metres from my house,

on a side road.”38 The German SS troops were believed to be members of the 1st SS Panzer

Division. The records also include the testimony of an U.S. Army officer (Maj. James L.

Baldwin). His unit was in the vicinity searching for dead and missing American personnel and

equipment and recovered the bodies on February 13, 1945. This case file identifies the names

of the deceased soldiers and causes of death or types of wounds inflicted. Topographical maps

of the location and a few photographs of the mutilated bodies are included.

Record Group 554 Records of General Headquarters, Far East Command, 

Supreme Commander Allied Powers, and United 

Nations Command

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

General Headquarters, Supreme Commander Allied Powers (SCAP) was formally established at

Tokyo, Japan, effective October 2, 1945, pursuant to a directive of President Truman, August 14,

1945, designing General Douglas MacArthur as SCAP (he also commanded GHP, FEC & UNC),

as agreed to by the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Republic of

China, and the USSR. It was responsible for enforcing compliance with the instrument of

Surrender, signed September 2, 1945. In the absence of established Allied machinery to supervise the occupation, the United States assumed primary responsibility for the occupation with

the consent of the other powers due to the dominant role played by U.S. forces in the defeat of

Japan; the U.S. Security interests in the Pacific area; and the ability of the U.S. economy to bear

the financial burden of the occupation. GHQ Far East Command was established, effective

January 1, 1947, pursuant to War Department classified message WARX 87793. GHQ SCAP was

terminated following the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace with Japan on April 28, 1952. HQ

FEC was discontinued June 30, 1957, by authority of a Joint Chiefs of Staff directive and

announced by General Order 32, with functions transferred to Headquarters, U.S. Army Pacific.

HQ UNC relocated to Seoul, Korea, July 1, 1957, and is an agency operating concurrently with

the HQ, U.S. Forces, Korea; and the ROK/US Combined Forces Command (CFC). 

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS–A1

RECORDS OF GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, FEC, SCAP,

AND UNC/ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF/G–1

IV.554.1 Entry 12a General Correspondence, 1948–51. 1 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 48/04/04; 48/06/02; Boxes 5 and 88.

91
Description: The records relate to reported discriminatory practices experienced by Negro

servicemen in overseas commands such as Guam, equality of treatment in the armed

forces, reenlistment of Negro troops not restricted by quotas, and the selection criteria for

Far East Command (FEC) schools as it affected Negro personnel and an analysis of the

program and procedures about Negro troops in the FEC. Also included is a copy of the

radio message summarizing Circular 124, “Utilization of Negro Manpower in the Post-war

Army” which concerned the status of Negro units, assignment of Negroes to white units,

merit promotions, and the use of Negro military personnel in overhead installations.

RECORDS OF GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, FEC, SCAP, AND UNC/ADJUTANT GENERAL’S

SECTION/OPERATIONS DIVISION

IV.554.2 Entry 79 General Correspondence, 1947–52. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 290; 48/18/06 (1949); 48/20/04 (1950); 48/31/05

(1951); Boxes 115, 204 and 747.

Description: The records pertain to the assignment of Negro personnel, and the revision of

War Department Circular 124, which governed the utilization of Negro manpower and

Negro leaders in the postwar Army. Other records regard replies to complaints of Negro

servicemen of not being assigned to their primary military occupational specialties (MOS)

in the FEC (most of whom requested transfers in order to work in areas that they were

trained in). A copy of “Analysis of the Program and Procedures Regarding Negro Troops

Effective in the Far East Command” contains information on the Negro ratio to the total

enlisted personnel, types of units assigned to, and integration of Negro personnel in the

FEC.

92
Part V

Defense and Related Activities Cluster

Record Group 225 Records of Joint Army and Navy Boards 

and Committees

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established by joint order of the Secretaries of War and Navy, July 17, 1903, published as

General Order 136, Department of the Navy, July 18, 1903, and General Order 107, War

Department, July 20, 1903, to serve as an advisory body for interservice coordination and

cooperation. Reorganized by a new joint order, July 24, 1919, published as General Order

491 (Navy) and General Order 94 (War), both July 25, 1919. By military order July 5, 1939,

effective July 1, 1939, placed under the direct control and supervision of the President as

Commander in Chief. Functions and responsibilities largely absorbed during World War II

by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Abolished September 1, 1947, pursuant to a joint letter to the

President from the Secretaries of War and Navy, August 18, 1947.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NM-43

RECORDS OF THE JOINT ARMY AND NAVY COMMITTEE ON WELFARE AND RECREATION

V.225.1 Entry 18 General Subject Files, 1941–46. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by subject.

a. Files labeled Negro Problems; Negro Troops and Problems. Loc: NAII; 190; 04/25/00; 

Box 10.

Description: The records include inquiries from persons and organizations (such as the

YMCA) interested in nominating Negro men and women to various joint Army and Navy

subcommittees, an invitation extended to the Director of the Joint Army and Navy committee (E. H. Crocker) to speak at the board meeting of the National Negro Congress, and a

suggestion to establish a subcommittee on Negro problems. They document the discussions held at a small conference on October 8, 1941, on the topic of the welfare and

recreation of Negro troops, with statements made by P. L. Prattis, managing editor of the

Pittsburgh Courier; Walter White, secretary of the NAACP; Judge William Hastie, Civilian

Aide to the Secretary of War; and Dr. Tobias Channing, YMCA National Council on

Segregation. Included in the files are copies of a summary of Gunnar Myrdal’s book The

Negro in America, a report titled “Consultants on Negro Affairs” analyzing the pros and

93
94

cons of using them as such, a draft “Memorandum Concerning Negro Attitudes Towards

the War” outlining four policies for improving Negro military and civilian morale, and the

radio transcript of a joint National Broadcasting Company–War Department broadcast

“America’s Negro Soldier” (scheduled for airing on August 12, 1941).

Record Group 330 Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established by the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 495), July 26, 1947, to head the

National Military Establishment, redesignated the Department of Defense (DOD) by the

National Security Act Amendments of 1949 (63 Stat. 578), August 10, 1949. Administers

DOD and assists the President in providing for the national security of the United States.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

(SUPPLY AND LOGISTICS)

V.330.1 Entry 160b Correspondence [Administrative Correspondence, 1956]. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Discrimination). Loc: NAII; 190; 28/18/04; Boxes 12–13.

Description: The records concern responses to various racial discrimination complaints

that were lodged against the Technical Electronics Corp. (Culver City, CA.), Melpar Inc.

(Arlington, VA.), Lockheed Aircraft Corp. (Marietta, GA.), American Tobacco Company

(Durham, NC.), Dan River Mills (Danville, VA.), Hamilton Field Post Barber Shop

(Hamilton Field, CA.), and other such businesses that were contractors of the Defense

Department. These complaints were investigated by the President’s Committee on

Government Contracts. 

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY

V.330.2 Entry 200b General Correspondence, 1953–54. 1⁄4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 190; 25/25/01; Box 35.
Description: The records pertain to a Department of Defense directive on nondiscrimination

in employment (defense procurement), a response to an invitation to attend the “Eleventh

Annual Institute of Race Relations” at Fisk University, an inquiry concerning the participation of colored athletes in recreational activities, and a Republican National Committee

request for the appointment of qualified Negroes to Defense Department positions (no job

openings). Other topics covered are the alleged discrimination against Negro merchant

marine officers, abolishment of segregated schools on military installations, and a reference

to the mass jailing and fining of 48 Negro soldiers in Columbia, SC, who were protesting

segregated buses.

FINDING AID: NM-12

RECORDS OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE/MANPOWER, PERSONNEL AND

RESERVE AFFAIRS/MAIL AND RECORDS SECTION

V.330.3 Entry 66 Decimal File, 1949–54 [Decimal Correspondence File, 1949–54].

1 ft.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 190; 26/32/02; Boxes 108–111.

Description: The records contain a copy of Jean Byers’s A Study of the Negro in Military

Service that traces such service from the American Revolution to World War II; the report

“Findings and Decision on Questions of Parity of Mental Standards, Allocation of Inductees

According to Physical and Mental Capabilities and Allocation of Negroes”; a report titled

“Attitude of [Enlisted Men] Toward Integration of Negro Soldiers in the Army”; and related

material such as Army publication “Army Talk” that was devoted to the topic of Negro

manpower. Other records include a copy of the U.S. Navy publication The Integration of

the Negro into the United States Navy, 1776–1947 written by Lt. (D) Dennis Denmark Nelson,

USNR, as based on his master’s thesis submitted to Howard University; a report on the

implementation of the Air Force policy concerning Negro personnel, and a transcript of

the National Defense Conference on Negro Affairs of April 26, 1948.

RECORDS OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (MANPOWER, PERSONNEL AND

RESERVE AFFAIRS)/ARMED FORCES INFORMATION AND EDUCATION OFFICE

V.330.4 Entry 88 Central Subject File, 1943–48 [Decimal Correspondence File,

1943–52]. 1

⁄2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race). Loc: NAII; 190; 27/07/07; Box 607.

Description: The records concern a reference to the proposed “Negro VD and Discipline

95
Indoctrination” trial testing at Camp Lee, VA; a copy of Gen. Dwight Eisenhower’s statement

made before a U.S. Senate Committee on the utilization of Negro manpower; a reference

to the lack of Negro USO troupes or performers at Camp Rucker, AL; and advice given to

a white officer on how to befriend and command Negro troops as “show that you are free

from prejudice and that you despise those who show prejudice” expressed in a personal

letter to his father. Included also is a copy of a pamphlet “New World A-Coming” based

on Roi Ottley’s book of the same title regarded as a penetrating analysis of the historical,

social, and economic forces that shape the Negro American community, and a copy of

“Report of Trends in the Negro Press” on Negro military and civilian newsworthy items.

RECORDS OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (MANPOWER, PERSONNEL AND

RESERVE AFFAIRS)/RESEARCH DIVISION

V.330.5 Entry 90 Survey on Troop Attitudes, 1942–Jun. 1955 [Questionnaires used

in Surveys and Studies to Determine Attitudes and Opinions of Military Personnel,

1942–54]. 1

⁄2 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged by subject or by an alpha-numeric filing scheme.

a. Files labeled Negro study; Negro soldiers. Loc: NAII; 190; 27/15/04; Boxes 972–974.

Description: These are the record sets of unmarked special surveys or questionnaires given

exclusively to Negro soldiers or to both Negro and white soldiers to gauge their attitudes

and opinions on such issues as troop morale, treatment by officers or fellow troops, job

satisfaction, living conditions, postwar plans, and an experimental film about the Negro

during World War II.

RECORDS OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (SUPPLY AND LOGISTICS)/MAIL AND

RECORDS SECTION

V.330.6 Entry 160 Secret Decimal File, Jul.–Dec. 1953 [Decimal Correspondence

File, 1953–55]. 3 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Discrimination). Loc: NAII; 190; 28/17/03; Box 128.

Description: These are responses to complaints of racial discrimination (in regard to the

employment of Negroes) made against Defense Department contractors such as General

Electric Company, McDonnell Aircraft Corp., Humble Oil and Refinery Company, Lockheed

Aircraft Company, Reynolds Metals Company, Shell Oil Company, and numerous others. 

96
RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY/

CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL SECTION

V.330.7 Entry 200 Central Decimal File, Sept. 1947–Dec. 1949 [Unclassified Subject

Correspondence, 1947–53]. 11⁄4 in. 

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by War Department decimal file number.

a. Decimal File 291.2 (Race; Negroes). Loc: NAII; 190; 25/33/07 (July–Dec. 1950); 25/35/06

(1952); 26/01/05 (1953); Boxes 581, 672, and 744.

Description: The records regard a discrimination complaint lodged by a Negro recruit stationed at Camp Rucker, AL; a complaint made by the NAACP of racial segregation at naval

bases in Charleston, SC, and Norfolk, VA; and alleged discrimination in the Panama Canal

Zone. Also included are some congressional inquiries on racial practices and policies, a

request for information on the number of officers and enlisted Negroes who served during

World War II, and correspondence with A. Philip Randolph of the “Committee Against Jim

Crow in Military Service and Training” about the Army’s segregation policy. Randolph candidly advised the Secretary of Defense to confess failure and resign, if unable to persuade

the Army to embrace President Truman’s goal of integration. There are highlights of the

Fahy Committee report on the Air Force racial integration program, references to the treatment of Negro troops in occupying armed services in Europe, a report prepared by Negro

attorney Raymond Pace Alexander on his trip to visit several U.S. occupation areas in

Germany, and the book written by Arthur Mann, The Jackie Robinson Story, that was cited

as being useful to the military establishment because servicemen could see that democracy

was working in the United States.

FINDING AID: UD

RECORDS OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (LEGISLATIVE AND

PUBLIC AFFAIRS)/OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION/ANALYSIS BRANCH

V.330.8 Entry 135f Press Items, Re: Negro Newspapers, 1944–46. 7 ft.

Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.

a. Files labeled 1944 through 1945. Loc: NAII; 190; 27/35/04–27/35/06; Boxes 253–269.

Description: These are mostly clippings of articles from Negro newspapers gathered by the

Analysis Branch to ascertain Negro public opinion on military activities or related civilian

news events.

97
Part VI

Old Navy/Modern Navy Cluster

RG 24 Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the Department of the Navy by an act of May 13, 1942 (56 Stat. 276). Exercises

oversight responsibility for the Naval Military Personnel Command, Navy Recruiting Command, and Naval Civilian Personnel Center. Administers all personnel matters for the U.S.

Navy. Preceded by the Bureau of Navigation (1882–1942).

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

GENERAL RECORDS OF THE BUREAU OF NAVAL PERSONNEL

VI.24.1 Entry 118l [Logs of United States Ships and Stations, 1801–1946] Logs: Ships,

1940–46 U.S.S. Aaron Ward—U.S.S. Zuni, ca. 1941–45. 2 vols.

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by name of ship.

a. Log books U.S.S. Mason (Mar. 20–Dec. 31, 1944; Jan. 1–Oct. 12, 1945). Loc: NAII; 470;

34/14/02.

Description: The U.S.S. Mason (DE 529) was the first naval ship manned entirely by a Negro crew

and officered by white men. This ship was placed in commission in accordance with orders of

commandant, Navy Yard, Boston, MA, and commanded by Lt. Cmdr. William M. Blackford, USNR.

The logbooks contain a list of officers and enlisted men (name and rank), references to disciplinary matters, and ship conditions, navigational data, and administrative and operational remarks.

FINDING AID: PI-123

VI.24.2 Entry 93 Subject Cards, 1903–43. 11⁄4 in.

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by subject.

98
a. Cards (Negroes). Loc: NAI; 19E-4; 7/13/05; Box 62.

Description: These index cards serve as guides to the general correspondence files (entries

88–91). They summarize the subject and list the referenced file number. Topics covered by

the cards regard include the appointment, enlistment, recruitment, training, and treatment

and condition of Negroes in the Navy. Other subjects concern discrimination complaints, disciplinary actions, assaults, the Navy policy on the use of Negro WAVES, entertainment of colored recruits on board the U.S.S. Maryland, the Navy football team’s not playing against

Colgate University’s integrated team, requests for information on the number of Negroes in

the Navy and Marines, and the number of lives lost or distinguished in action, use of Negro

musicians in the Navy, and a request that Negroes be afforded equal opportunities in the

Navy (particularly in services other than messmen). Included also are references to advice

about Negro war veterans (Spanish-American War and World War I), a conference on the

problems of Negroes and Negro youth, the use of Negro librarians in the bureau, the heroic

death of a Negro mess attendant, the proposed establishment of a Negro servicemen’s community recreation center in Miami, FL, and courts-martials of Negro naval personnel.

RG 38 Records of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the Department of the Navy by an act of March 3, 1915 (38 Stat. 929). Transferred

with the Department of the Navy to the newly created National Military Establishment (NME),

by the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 495), July 26, 1947; with the Department of the

Navy to the Department of Defense (formerly NME) by the National Security Act Amendments

of 1949 (63 Stat. 578), August 10, 1949. Advises the President, Secretary of the Navy, and Chief

of Naval Operations (CNO) on the Navy and on naval warfare. Administers naval programs to

support manpower, materiel, weapons, and logistical needs; research and development activities; strategic planning; and the organization, training, and readiness of forces.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: UD

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

VI.38.1 Entry 84 Central Administrative Correspondence, 1930–48. Neg.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by Navy Department alpha-numeric file designation.

a. File A9-6/ND3. Loc: NAII; 370; 14/28/06; Box 269.

Description: The records relate to summaries of “Communist Trends” reports submitted by

FBI uncover agents or confidential informants. One includes a synoposis of Paul Robeson’s

statement given before the Free Browder Congress in Manhattan Center, New York, NY

99
(Mar. 28–29, 1942). An FBI agent believed Robeson’s comment “the only real fighters for

democracy against Fascism are members of the Communist Party” was omitted from the

Daily Worker because the Communist Party did not want to frighten away noncommunist

sponsors. Others records concern information on communist trends among Negroes in

New Jersey; a racial incident at Fort Dix, NJ; allegations of police brutality against Negroes

in Newark, NJ; and Japanese race propaganda among Negroes in New York, NY, that cited

the Moorish Science Temple of America as the clearinghouse for possible recruits. 

Record Group 52 Records of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established in the Department of the Navy by the act abolishing the Board of Naval Commissioners, August 31, 1842 (5 Stat. 579). Transferred with the Department of the Navy to

the National Military Establishment (NME) by the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 500),

July 26, 1947; with the Department of the Navy to the Department of Defense (formerly

the NME) by the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 (63 579), August 10, 1949.

Provided medical and dental services to active duty and retired Navy personnel and their

dependents. Abolished October 1, 1982, by realignment directive of the Office of the Chief

of Naval Operations.

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NM-48

VI.52.1 Entry 16b Index to General Correspondence, 1942–46. Neg.

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by subject.

a. Index Cards labeled Negro. Loc: NAII; 470; 15/20/03; Box 11.

Description: The records serve as an index “history card” to the general correspondence,

1942–46 (Entry 15b). They indicate the file number of the correspondence, date, name of

person or organization sending or receiving such correspondence, and a brief synposis of

the inquiry or subject described therein. These index cards regard policies on giving commissions to Negro dentists and on the usages of Negroes as Navy nurses (women), civilian

employees, and shore patrols. Other records regard the status of the Negro physicians

entering the Navy (in comparison with the Army), the hospitalization of colored patients,

percentage of colored selectees discharged from the Navy because of ineptitude, protests

of discrimination against Negro women entering the Navy as nurses or WAVES, the segregation of Negro and white blood by the American Red Cross, and requests for authorization to use sulfonamide prophylaxis to treat Negroes with venereal diseases, and requests

that special care be taken when designating the racial group of patients.

100
Record Group 80 General Records of the Department 

of the Navy, 1798–1947

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established by an act of April 30, 1798 (1 Stat. 553). Advised the President on naval matters.

Administered the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Abolished by the National Security Act of

1947 (61 Stat. 495), July 26, 1947.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Contrary to the past participation of African American men in an integrated Navy from the

Revolutionary War to the Spanish-American War, they were required to enter a racially

segregated service during World War II. These men were barred from the general service

itself and were segregated by occupation. They could only serve as stewards or mess

attendants: preparing and serving food and waiting on white officers.39 This practice was

made very clear by Frank Knox when he assumed his position as Secretary of the Navy in

1940. The only exception to this policy was the limited few who had acquired specialities

after many years of service prior to World War II. 

However, as the war neared and the African American community clamored for increased

participation and opportunity in the naval service, the U.S. Navy was forced to modify its

racial policy. Secretary Knox organized a committee (general board) in September 1941

consisting of Navy and Marine Corps representatives and Addison Walker, Special Assistant

to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Walker proposed assigning some black men to auxiliary vessels and patrol crafts, etc., which the majority of the committee members opposed,

believing that it would upset the status quo.40 Despite the Navy’s continued reluctance and

resistence to enlisting Negro men in the general service (other than stewards branch) and

Negro women in the WAVES, it gradually began to loosen its policies regarding these

enlistments by 1943. 

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

RECORDS OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY RALPH BARD

VI.80.1 Entry 131d Correspondence Relating to Discrimination in the Navy,

1941–44. 8 in.

Arrangement: Arranged by subject.

a. Files labeled Addison Walker Misc. through Discrimination—Colonel Watson Committee.

Loc: NAII; 370; 19/26/05; Boxes 1–2.

Description: The records concern arrangements for Dorie Miller, Negro Navy messman and

101
hero of Pearl Harbor, to visit a number of U.S. cities on behalf of the Treasury Department’s

War Savings Bond Program. There are black-and-white captioned photographs of Miller

being pinned with the Navy Cross at a ceremony aboard ship at Pearl Harbor (dated

5/27/42), and responses to inquiries (with newspaper coupons) requesting that President

Franklin D. Roosevelt send Miller to the U.S. Naval Academy because of his heroic deeds.

Included are copies of press releases announcing the Navy and Marine Corps new plan

for recruiting Negroes, charts detailing Negro enlistment in the Navy’s general service,

minutes of two meetings of a committee organized to investigate the “extent to which enlisted personnel of the Navy and Marine Corps is Representative of all American Citizens”

that named various reasons why it would be impracticable to offer further opportunities to

Negro enlisted men, and an article from the New York Amsterdam Star-News entitled “U.S.

Must Declare Self on Negro Question” by Pearl S. Buck. The records also contain a transcript of a telephone conversation between the Navy Secretary’s Special Assistant Anthony

Mitchell and Dean Ransom of Howard University’s Law School regarding the segregated

bus transportation between the Navy Building in Arlington, VA, and Washington, DC; the

report of the President’s Committee on Fair Employment Practice “The Employment of

Negroes in the Federal Government”; photographs of the first Negro recruit (William

Baldwin) in the new Navy program; a copy of an article entitled “National Defense” from

the Houston Informer (Negro) that voiced the opinion that “Negroes must settle once and

for always the fact that they will fight for the preservation of America, even as it is today”;

and various editorials and clippings from Negro newspapers. 

RECORDS OF SPECIAL ASSISTANT ADDISON WALKER

VI.80.2 Entry 131n Correspondence Concerning Discrimination in the Navy

[1941–43]. 6 in.

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by surname of correspondent.

a. Files labeled Discrimination “A” to “Z.” Loc: NAII; 370; 19/28/01; Boxes 1–2.

Description: The records regard the Fair Employment Practice Committee’s investigation of

various racial discrimination complaints on the employment of Negroes in skilled trades of

the shipbuilding industry or as civilian workers in navy yards such as Philadelphia, PA,

Washington, DC, and Mare Island, CA. Included also is the report “A Plan for the Enlistment

of Negroes in the Naval Service” written by D. W. Armstrong, son of the founder of

Hampton Institute, proposing the use of Hampton Institute as a naval training facility for

Negroes; responses to congressional inquiries and other inquiries on the use of Negroes in

the Navy; and discrimination allegations. The records contain numerous personal letters written by Negroes and whites as private citizens or as representatives of organizations such as

the NAACP or the National Urban League to President Roosevelt and Navy Secretary Knox

voicing opposition to the Navy’s overall policy on the employment of Negroes in its service.

VI.80.3 Entry 131o Correspondence on “Negroes” (“Negro Spindle File”), Feb.–Sept.

1942. 5 in.

102
Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by surname of correspondent.

a. Files labeled Negro “A”–“Z” to Negro Spindle. Loc: NAII; 370; 19/28/01; Box 1.

Description: The records pertain to responses to inquiries and suggestions from various

organizations such as the NAACP, Negro newspapers, and others about extending opportunities for Negroes in the Navy and the Marines, and responses to those Negro males

wishing to enlist. Contained also in the files are resolutions and petitions urging such

usage of Negroes. There are requests for information on the enrollment status of Negroes

in the Navy, a copy of the transcript of the “Conference of the Fraternal Council of Negro

Churches of America” (with Navy Assistant Secretary Ralph A. Bard) to cooperatively plan

to mobilize six million Negro churchgoers in support of the war effort, and a reference to

using Hampton Institute as a Navy contract school.

FINDING AID: PC-31

GENERAL RECORDS OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

VI.80.4 Entry 23 Office File of Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, 1940–44. 2 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by Navy Department file designation.

a. Files 54-1–54-2. Loc: NAII; 370; 19/19/03; Box 37.

Description: The records consist mostly of correspondence sent or received by Navy

Secretary Frank Knox concerning the use and enlistment of Negro men in the Navy and

Marines, lack of opportunities, and various discrimination complaints such as that forwarded by Eleanor Roosevelt regarding conditions of Negro personnel at the U.S. Naval Air

Station in Corpus Christi, TX. Adlai E. Stevenson’s recommendation on commissioning 10

or 12 top-notch Negroes as officers, is contained in the files. There are responses to congressional inquiries of which one sought a commemorative memorial stamp for Negro scientist Dr. George Washington Carver, a letter blasting Knox for attempting to destroy the

National Youth Administation, an invitation from A. Philip Randolph to speak at the “Marchon-Washington,” and other inquiries regarding a proposal to utilize the North Carolina

School for Negroes to train students as administrators in countries with large Negro populations. The records contain a suggestion on how to quell race riots from a Chicago lawyer,

recommendations on enlisting Negro women in the Women’s Navy reserve and on using

colored nurses, and advice for a reconsideration of the Marine Corps policy not to enlist

Negro women in its reserve. Included also are Knox’s comments on Walter White as one

agitating for greater Negro participation in the Navy but who by no means is entitled to

speak for the race itself. The files also reveal Knox’s early justification for using Negroes

only as messman and not integrating the Navy: “Somehow, some way, some day, we will

have to meet and solve this problem, but I submit to you that during the progress of the

most dangerous war in which we have ever engaged is not the time to take up a problem

so filled with dynamite as this one.”41 Also, there are references to the Red Cross segregating blood donations from Negro and white Army/Navy men, an unanswered letter from

heavy-weight boxing champion Joe Louis soliciting funds to stage one last fight before

103
his retirement, and a letter from the Negro Chamber of Commerce in Memphis, TN, asking

for a statement for use in presenting memorials to Gold Star mothers whose sons died in

defense of Pearl Harbor (which Knox supplied).

Record Group 127 Records of the United States Marine Corps

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established under joint administrative control of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy, by an

act of July 11, 1798 (1 Stat. 594). Transferred to exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Navy by

an act of June 30, 1834 (4 Stat. 712); with the Department of the Navy to the newly established National Military Establishment (NME) by the National Security Act of 1947; with the

Department of the Navy to the Department of Defense (formerly NME) by National Security

Act Amendments of 1949 (63 Stat. 579), August 10, 1949. Provides amphibious forces for

service with the fleet and conducts land operations essential to a naval campaign. Provides

detachments to serve on naval ships, to protect property of naval activities, and to maintain

security at U.S. diplomatic missions abroad.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Since its establishment in 1798, the Marine Corps followed a strict policy of not enlisting

African Americans until it was forced to do so in accordance with Executive Order 8802 of

June 25, 1941. This Executive order, which affirmed the full participation in the defense

program by all persons regardless of color, race, creed, or national origin, directed that all

departments of the Federal government (including the armed forces) “shall lead the way in

erasing discrimination over color or race.”42 There is little doubt that this new policy met

with early opposition from the Marine Corps leadership, particularly from Commandant

Maj. Gen. Thomas Holcomb, who believed that the Corps would suffer a definite loss of

efficiency. 

Although the Commandant indicated that such black Marine units would need to be led

by a white officer of the highest caliber, he also voiced his heartfelt opinion. Commenting

before the General Board of the Navy on January 23, 1942, Holcomb declared “the Negro

race has every opportunity now to satisfy its aspirations for combat, in the Army—a very

much larger organization than the Navy or Marine Corps—and their desire to enter the

naval service is largely, I think, to break into a club that doesn’t want them” 43

Nonetheless, a very reluctant Navy Department publicly announced that all naval components would accept 1,000 blacks per month for general service, beginning on June 1,

1942. Marine Corps Commandant Holcomb thereafter issued formal instructions for the

recruitment of colored males (U.S. citizens ages 17–29), which was to begin on June 1,

1942, for combat service. All African American volunteers accepted for service by the

Marine Corps would (as would whites) enter the reserve for the war’s duration plus an

additional six months. Many of them served as specialists, cooks, clerks, etc. The first

draftees, secured by the Selective Service System, entered the Marines in January 1943. 

104
The Marine Corps organized a racially segregated defense battalion of 900 black males

for boot camp training at the Montford Point Camp, adjacent to Camp Lejeune, NC. This

180-day training program was launched by Col. Samuel A. Woods, Jr., whom the Marine

Corps believed ideally suited to command African Americans.44 Woods’s leadership skills

soon earned him the respect and praise of his troops. In addition, the Marine Corps

secured a black officer of the Army Reserve, Lt. Col. Campbell C. Johnson, as an administrator. 

Those recruited early were required to be enlisted in Class III (c), Marine Corps Reserve,

and assigned to inactive duty in an inactive General Reserve unit. Moreover, these Negro

recruits were also commanded to ready the camp for those to follow. African American

marines were trained and served in the defense battalions such as the 51st (organized in

August 1942) and the 52d (organized in December 1943) in addition to serving in ammunition, antiartillery, depot, and combat support companies. 

African American marines in defense battalion and support units saw action (some out

of necessity) at Saipan, Guam, Peleliu, Okinawa, and Japan. Unlike their male counterparts, however, African American women were not able to serve in the Marine Corps until

the passage of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 (after World War II).

Annie E. Graham of Detroit, MI, became to first black women to enlist in the Marines on

September 8, 1949.45

RECORD DESCRIPTIONS

FINDING AID: NARS-A1

RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT

VI.127.1 Entry 18b General Correspondence, January 1939–June 1950. 1 in.

Arrangement: Arranged numerically by Marine Corps file designation.

a. File 1535-110 {Negroes—Asiatics}. Loc: NAII; 370; 22/11/03; Box 603.

Description: The records relate to inquiries on the enlistment policies for Negro men and

women in the Marines, Negro recruit training load at Montford Point, and National Military

Establishment implementation of Executive Order 9981 “Equality of Treatment and Opportunity

in the Armed Services.” Other topics concern the assignment of Negro males to the “stewards

only” duty, the reassignment of Negro marines to other existing units as outlined by a Division

of Plans and Policies study, the enlistment of Negro males with previous naval service, the

condition of Negroes at Marine facilities, and advice given by Lt. Col. George A. Roll (Acting

Executive Officer, Division of Reserve) on how to discourage colored males from applying to

the Organized Reserve. Roll advised persons to not “use the lack of SSN billets, soft enamel on

the teeth or flat feet as the excuses with a colored applicant. Sooner or later one who is perfect in all respects will come along and if he has the intent of making an issue over the subject, all your previous cases will blow up in your face.”46 Included also is the paper “The

Marine Steward” used to inform prospective Negro applicants of “excellent” opportunities for

duty, training, and advancement that would ultimately prepare them for comparable jobs as

cooks and waiters in commercial establishments or private homes.

105
Special Note: During the preparation of this publication, NARA staff members at the College

Park facility were processing some RG 127 records of the tentative series “Historians’

Background Files” from accession NN3-127-097-002 that relate to African Americans in the

Marine Corps. These records will soon be available for research use. The records are approximately one inch of 5 x 8 index cards titled “Challenge to Authority” (1964–73) used

in writing a history of the Vietnam War, regarding racism and disciplinary problems in the

latter part of the war. Topics covered by these index cards pertain to the black marines’

role in this war, causes of racial unrest, summaries of racial incidents, ways to ease racial

tension, excerpts from the Marine Corps publication Blacks in the Marine Corps (World

War II to Vietnam War), and comments and statements on black cultural symbols and hairstyles, etc. Also included in this same accession is one cubic foot of background material

used in the preparation of Blacks in the Marine Corps; comments, inteview data, information on racial matters such as a copy of the “Report of Racial Turbulence Inquiry” of July

24, 1972, and some convention records and publications of the Montford Marine

Association, an African American marine group organized in 1965. 

106
Notes

1. Select Audiovisual Records: Pictures of African Americans During World War II (Washington:

Compiled by Barbara Lewis Burger, National Archives and Records Administration, 1999), p. 1.

2. Elliot V. Converse; Robert K. Griffith; Daniel K. Gibran; Richard H. Kohn; and John A. Cash.“The Medal

of Honor and African Americans in the United States Army During World War II.” (Raleigh: Department of

the Army Contract MDA903-93-C-0260 awarded to Shaw University, January 1995), p. 24.

3. Morris J. MacGregor, Jr. Integration of the Armed Services, 1940–1965 (Washington: Defense Studies

Series, Center of Military History, 1981), p. 18.

4. Bernard C. Nalty. Strength for the Fight:A History of Black Americans in the Military (New York:The

Free Press, 1986), p. 149.

5. MacGregor.Integration of the Armed Services, p. 270.

6. MacGregor.Integration of the Armed Services, p. 271.

7.“A First Report on the Racial Integration Program of the Air Force,” February 6, 1950; Records on Racial

Policies, 1944–50; pp. 5–6; Records of Headquarters United States Air Force (Air Staff); Record Group

341; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

8.“A First Report on the Racial Integration Program of the Air Force,” p. 1.

9. Ulysses Lee. The Employment of Negro Troops (United States Army in World War II Special Studies:

U.S.Army, Center of Military History, reprint 1994), p. 111.

10. Lee. The Employment of Negro Troops, p. 129.

11. Lee. The Employment of Negro Troops, p. 129.

12. MacGregor.Integration of the Armed Services, p. 19.

13. MacGregor.Integration of the Armed Services, pp. 20–21.

14. Letter to William Hastie from H.D. Gould, May 3, 1941; Classified Decimal File, 1940–46 {Formerly

Security-Classified Correspondence}, p. 1 (Box 95); Records of the Office of the Secretary of War; Record

Group 107; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

15. Lee. The Employment of Negro Troops, p. 47.

16. Lee. The Employment of Negro Troops, p. 130.

17. Lee. The Employment of Negro Troops, p. 131.

18. Lee. The Employment of Negro Troops, p. 469.

19. Memorandum to Commander-in-Chief, Far East “Report of Investigation Regarding Alleged Irregularities in the Administration of Military Justice in the 25th Infantry Division;” March 27, 1951; p. 24 (Box

1013);Administrative Office; Mail and Records Section; Decimal File {Unclassified Through Secret Correspondence, 1947–62}; Records of the Office of the Inspector General; Record Group 159; National

Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

20. Memorandum for the Chief of Staff from Werneken,“Report on the 92nd Infantry Division for your

107
information,” May 1, 1945;Top-Secret Correspondence, 1941–47; p.2 (Box 6); Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs; Record Group 165; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

21. Memorandum to the President,“Report from Mr.Walter White Concerning the Status of the 93rd

Division and other Negro Combat Units,” February 12, 1945;Top-Secret Correspondence, 1941–47; p. 1

(Box 6); Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs; Record Group 165; National Archives

at College Park, College Park, MD.

22.“Report from Mr.Walter White Concerning the Status of the 93rd Division and other Negro Combat

Units,” p. 2.

23. Lee. The Employment of Negro Troops, pp. 29 and 32.

24. Lee. The Employment of Negro Troops, p. 38.

25. Memorandum “Policy of the Department of the Army in Recent Non-Segregation State Laws Concerning

the National Guard,”April 14, 1949;Army NGB Classified Decimal Files, 1922–1954; p. 1 (Box 1736); Records of the National Guard Bureau; Record Group 168; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

26. Lee. The Employment of Negro Troops, p. 225.

27. Lee. The Employment of Negro Troops, p. 227.

28. Letter to Pfc.Timothy Taylor from Comm. Gen. Brehon Somervell;April 4, 1945; Lt. Somervell’s Desk

File, 1942–44 (Box 35); Records of Headquarters Army Service Forces; Record Group 160; National

Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

29. Memorandum to Capt. J. B. Fletcher from Zilford Carter, March 27, 1944; Deputy Chief of Staff for

Service Commands, Correspondence Files, 1943–45; p. 1; Records of the Headquarters Army Service

Forces; Record Group 160; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

30. Letter to Inspector General (U.S.Army) from Cpl. J.C.Wilson, Jr., October 16, 1945; Office of Commanding General; Control Div., General Correspondence, 1942–46; p. 1 (Box 241); Records of the Headquarters Army Service Forces; Record Group 160; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

31. Lee. The Employment of Negro Troops, p. 131.

32. Lee. The Employment of Negro Troops, pp. 131–132.

33. Letter to Hon. Ben F. Ray,American Legion from Thomas M. McCullough; October 16, 1946; Classified

Decimal File {1941–50}; {Security-Classified General Correspondence, 1941–62}; p.1 (Box 169); Records

of the Office of the Provost Marshal General; Record Group 389; National Archives at College Park,

College Park, MD.

34. Letter to the President from Seton Eversley,April 4, 1943;Army-AG Decimal File, 1940–45; p. 1 (Box

1070); Records of the Adjutant General’s Office; Record Group 407; National Archives at College Park,

College Park, MD.

35. Letter to Senator Earl Chudoff from Eva Mae Wilson, January 9, 1951;Army-AG File, 1951–52; pp. 1–2

(Box 329); Records of the Adjutant General’s Office; Record Group 407; National Archives at College

Park, College Park, MD.

36. Memorandum to Major General O. L. Nelson, D/TC, MTOUSA from Truman K. Gibson “Report on Visit

to 92nd Division (Negro Troops);” March 12, 1945; p. 1 (Box 13620B);World War II Operations Reports,

1940–48; Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1917–; Record Group 407; National Archives at

College Park, College Park, MD.

108
37. Anonymous letter to Mr.Walker, June 12, 1946; {European Theater of Operations} ETO; Secretary

General Staff {Administration Branch}; Classified General Correspondence, 1945–1946; pp. 1–2 (Box 85);

Records of the U.S.Army, Operational,Tactical, and Sipport Organizations (World War II and thereafter);

Record Group 338; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

38.Affidavit of Mathias Langer, February 19, 1945; Records of Headquarters, U.S.Army Europe

(USAREUR);War Crimes Branch;War Crime Case Files (“Cases Not Tried”), 1944–48; Exhibit “A” (File 6-

102; Box 26); Records of the U.S.Army Operational,Tactical, and Sipport Organizations (World War II

and thereafter); Record Group 338; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

39. Nalty. Strength for the Fight, p. 184.

40. Nalty. Strength for the Fight, p. 186.

41. Letter to Gifford Pinchot from Secretary Knox, January 19, 1942; Office File of Secretary of the Navy

Frank Knox, 1940–44; p. 1 (letter 54-1-15); General Records of the Department of the Navy; Record

Group 80; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

42. Henry I. Shaw, Jr., and Ralph W. Donnelly. Blacks in the Marine Corps (Washington: History and

Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1975), p. 1.

43. Shaw and Donnelly. Blacks in the Marine Corps, p. 1.

44. Bernard C. Nalty, The Right to Fight:African American Marines in World War II (Washington: Marines

in World War II Commemorative Series, 1995), p. 6.

45. Shaw and Donnelly. Blacks in the Marine Corps, p. 56.

46. Letter to Major Glass from Lt. Col. George A. Roll, January 30, 1948; Office of the Commandant,

General Correspondence, January 1939–June 1950; p. 1 (Box 603); Records of the U.S. Marine Corps;

Record Group 127; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

109
Appendix 

LIST OF PERTINENT NARA REGIONAL RECORDS

NORTHEAST REGION (NEW YORK, NY) 

Record Group 181 Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments

1. 3rd Naval District: Historical Records of the Liaison Officer for Negro Personnel, 1944–45.

Neg. (one file folder).

SOUTHEAST REGION (ATLANTA, GA) 

Record Group 18 Records of the Army Air Forces

1. Death and Birth Certificates, Maxwell Field,AL, 1927–33. 0.428 cu.ft.

2. Field Installations, Maxwell Field,AL, 1925–40. 2.571 cu.ft.

3. Register of Letters Received, Maxwell Field,AL, 1933–39. 0.428 cu.ft.

PACIFIC REGION (LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA) 

Record Group 181 Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments

11th District (San Diego, CA) 

OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT

1. Formerly Classified Files, 1921–47; File CF-40; Box 105. Use of Negroes in the military. (one

file folder, 1943).

2. Central Subject Files, 1924–55; File P-8; Box 282. Racial discrimination in housing. (one file

folder, 1943–49).

3. Central Subject Files, 1924–55; File P13-1; Box 314. Racial incidents. (one file folder, 1943).

4. Central Subject Files, 1924–55; File MM/P16-1; Box 415. Negroes in the labor force at

Camp Elliot. (five file folders, 1942–43).

DISTRICT LEGAL OFFICER

5. Central Subject Files, 1921–54; File P16-1; Box 12. File on conference relating to supervision of Negro personnel.

ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF FOR PERSONNEL

6. Central Subject Files, 1927–50; File P11/1944; Box 34. First Navy Negro shore patrolmen

assigned at Los Angeles (with 10 8 x 10 glossy photographs).

110
PACIFIC REGION (SAN BRUNO, CA)

Record Group 181 Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments

1. 12th Naval District: General Correspondence (Formerly Classified), 1946; File 17.25. Port of

Chicago. Records of the Special Court of Inquiry investigation of the causes of the Port

Chicago explosion.

GREAT LAKES REGION (CHICAGO, IL)

Record Group 92 Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General

QUARTERMASTER DEPOT AT JEFFERSONVILLE, IN.

1. Decimal Correspondence Files, 1917–19; File 322.16. Performance requests for a black military band stationed at this depot.

Record Group 181 Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments

9th Naval District 

OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT

2. Central Subject Files, 1942–50.

3. Correspondence, 1942–48; File A2-11.Two reports: study of racial tensions at U.S. Naval

Training Center, Great Lakes, IL; study of Negro racial situation at U.S. Naval Ammunition

Depot, Hastings, NE).

4. Station Log Books, 1939–47.

111
1st Interceptor Command IV.407.6.a

1st Service Command IV.160.11

1st SS Panzer Division IV.549.1.a

3d Army IV.338.1

3d Naval District App.

4th Infantry Division IV.319.1.a

4th Quartermaster Company IV.389.2.a

4th Service Command IV.160.12

4th Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps Training Center III.165.10.a

6th Army IV.319.11.a

6th Service Command III.165.10.a

7th Regiment California National Guard IV.319.8.a

7th Service Command III.165.10.a

8th Air Force IV.498.7.a

9th Cavalry Regiment

disbanding III.107.2.a

infantry conversion III.107.10.a 

unit history III.391, IV.319.3.a

Young monument III.92.4.a

9th Service Command IV.319.7.a

10th Cavalry Regiment

chaplain III.165.14.a

disbanding III.107.2.a

infantry conversion III.107.10.a

unit history III.391, III.391.1.a, IV.319.3.a

11th Naval District App.

12th Naval District App.

19th Military Police Company III.107.3.a

24th Infantry Division

combat performance IV.319.11.a

Korean War history IV.407.13.a

unit history IV.319.3.a, IV.407.12.a

24th Infantry Regiment III.107.9.a, III.159.4.a

25th Infantry II.341.1.a, III.159.3.a

25th Infantry Division III.159.4.a, IV.407.6.a

25th Infantry Regiment III.107.9.a 

25th Station Hospital III.112.9.a

27th Quartermaster Group Transportation Company IV.498.8.a

41st Engineer Regiment III.77

51st Defense Battalion (Marine Corps) VI.127

52d Defense Battalion (Marine Corps) VI.127

52d Quartermaster Base Depot IV.498.8.a

76th Coast Artillery III.107.10.a, III.165.1.a

112

Index
79th Fighter Group II.18.1.a

83d Antiartillery Gun Battalion IV.407.10.a

85th Aviation Squadron IV.160.10.a

91st Engineers III.247.1.b

92d Infantry Division

combat performance

casualties IV.319.11.a

Gibson report III.165.3.a, III.165.19.a, IV.319.9.a, IV.407.12.b

information distribution IV.492.1.a

officers’ grievance IV.338.1.a

redeployment IV.160.6.a

remarks III.247.3.a

troop condition III.165.1.a

unit history IV.407.12.b

WAAC companies III.165.10.a

93d Infantry Division

Army public relations IV.319.2.a

combat performance III.107.9.a

casualties IV.319.11.a

MacArthur interview III.107.8.a, III.165.1.a

White report III.107.2.a, III.165.3.a

progress report III.107.7.a

training III.107.5.a

98th Engineer Regiment IV.492.2.a

99th Pursuit (Fighter) Squadron 

activation III.107.14.a

combat performance II.18, IV.492.2.a

operations reports II.18.1.c

discrimination complaint IV.492.2.a

fighter pilot training II.18, II.18.5.a

Information Office inquiries IV.319.11.a

status report III.165.1.a

100th Squadron II.18

155th Service Command III.107.13.a

201 files III.247.2

301st Squadron II.18

302d Squadron II.18

320th Anti-Aircraft VLA Battalion III.165.18.a

332d Fighter Group

combat operations reports II.18.1.b

deactivation II.341 

fighter pilot training II.18, II.18.5.a

Information Office inquiries IV.319.11.a

news articles II.341.2.a, II.18.2.a

strength reduction III.107.14.a

utilization plan III.107.9.a

366th Infantry Regiment IV.407.12.b

113
370th Infantry Regiment IV.407.12.b

406th Engineer Construction Battalion IV.407.10.a

406th Quartermaster Truck Company IV.498.6.a

477th Bombardment Group II.341.2.a, III.107.9.a, III.165.7.a

547th Engineer Combat Batallion IV.335.1.a

600th Field Artillery Battalion III.107.9.a

666th Transportation Truck Company IV.407.4.a

712th Antiartillery Gun Battalion IV.407.10.a

760th Tank Battalion IV.407.12.b

761st Tank Battalion III.107.9.a, IV.498.2.a

828th Tank Destroyer Battalion III.165.1.a

923d Aviation Regiment IV.498.1.a

999th Field Artillery Battalion III.165.18.a

1401st Engineer Combat Batallion IV.319.11.a

1402d Engineer Combat Batallion IV.319.11.a

1802d Special Regiment IV.407.11.a

3173d Quartermaster Company IV.160.2.b

3203d Quartermaster Service Company IV.160.1.a

3402d Quartermaster Truck Company IV.407.7.a

6975th Infantry Regiment Provisional IV.498.2.a

Aberdeen, MD IV.160.1.a

Aberdeen, MD, Proving Ground III.107.4.a, III.107.12.a, IV.160.5.a, IV.407.11.a

accident reports II.18.4.a

Adams, Fred W. IV.407.6.a

Adjutant General’s Office, 1917– , Records of the (RG 407) IV.407

Administration, Director of (Army Service Forces) IV.160.3

Administrative Assistant, Office of the (Air Force Secretary) II.340.1

Administrative Division (Provost Marshal General) IV.389.1–IV.389.2

Administrative Office (Army Inspector General) III.159.4

Administrative Secretary, Office of (Defense Secretary) V.330.2, V.330.7

Administrative Services Division (Adjutant General’s Office) IV.407.1

Advisory Committee for Special Troop Policies IV.337.4.a

Advisory Committee on Negro Troop Policies III.165.1.a, IV.337.4.a

aerial observors II.18.3.a, III.107.12.a

Africa

Robeson lecture IV.160.7.a

U.S. troops in Congo IV.407.6.a

World War II 

American fliers II.18

North African Theater of Operations III.107.12.a, III.165.13.a, IV.492.1.a

African American civilians. See Also African American community organizations; discrimination in employment

Adjutant General’s correspondence IV.407.7.a

Army Air Force enlistments II.18

chaplain substitutes III.247

cultural symbols, styles VI.127.1.Special Note

114
historical studies IV.319.3.a, V.330.4.a

medical care disruption III.112.5.a, III.112.6.a

military police interactions IV.389

opinion surveys III.107.6.a, III.165.7.a, III.165.16.a, V.330.8.a

racial trends reports IV.407.8.a, V.330.4.a, V.330.8.a

riot victims IV.160.5.a

“subversive activity” III.165.12.a, IV.319.7.b, IV.389, VI.38.1.a

War Department relationship III.107

war-related jobs III.107.7.a, III.107.8.a, IV.160.1.a, IV.160.7.a, IV.160.8.a

World War II morale V.225.1.a, VI.80.3.a

African American community organizations. See Also Negro press UNDER news media

Adjutant General’s correspondence IV.407.7.a

Army Air Force enlistments II.18

Army interactions III.165

Army-Navy welfare, recreation board V.225.1.a

Far East Command visit IV.407.11.a

medical personnel III.112

military intelligence reports III.165.12.a, IV.319.7.b

Navy racial policies VI.80, VI.80.2.a, VI.80.3.a

religious leaders III.247

War Department policies

fitness directors IV.160.10.a

WAC admissions III.165.9.a

African Methodist Episcopal chaplains III.247, III.247.1.a, III.247.2.a

Afro-American Newspaper (Baltimore) III.107.3.a, IV.492.1.a

Aiken, SC III.107.4.a

Air, Assistant Secretary of War III.107.14

Air Corps II.18, III.111, III.159.3.a

Air Force (periodical) II.18.2.a

Air Force (Air Staff), Records of Headquarters United States (RG 341) II.341

air force bases and installations

discrimination complaints II.18.4.a, II.18.5.a, II.18.6.a

integration pace II.341

Negro guards III.107.5.a

project files II.18.7

air force personnel and airmen (African American)

assignment to integrated units II.340.1.a, II.341, II.341.1.a

attitudes survey III.112.6.a

combat performance IV.492.2.a

operations reports II.18.1

discrimination II.18.4.a, II.18.5.a, II.18.6.a

employment opportunities II.18.3.a, III.107.12.a

enlistments II.18, II.340.2.a, III.107.12.a

black-white comparison III.165.19.a

history II.341.2.a

housing II.340.1.a

inspection II.18.4.b, II.18.7.b

115
116

officer training III.107.7.a

recruiting III.107.12.a, III.107.14.a, IV.407.6.b

WACs III.165.7.a

training II.18, II.18.4.b, II.18.4.c, III.107.5.a, III.107.14.a, III.165.19.a

War Department correspondence III.107.9.a

white attitudes III.112.6.a

World War II II.18

Air Force, Records of the Office of the Secretary of the (RG 340) II.340

Air Force, U.S.

integration policy II.340, II.340.1.a, II.340.2.a, II.341

comments on Army plans IV.319.6.a

report V.330.7.a

Negro personnel policy II.340.1.a, V.330.3.a

airfields. See air force bases and installations

Akron, OH IV.160.7.a

Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Co. IV.389.4.a

Alaska

assignment of African American personnel III.92.1.b

racial discrimination III.165.16.a, IV.547.1.a

Alaska Department IV.547.1

Alaskan Highway III.165.16.a

Alexander, Raymond Pace IV.335.1.a, V.330.7.a

Alexandria, LA III.107.12.a

alien enemy guard companies IV.389.3.a

Alliance, NE, Army Air Base IV.160.1.a

Almond [General] III.165.3.a

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority III.165.9.a, III.165.10.a

Amarillo, TX, Army Air Field II.18.5.a, III.159.2.a

American Expeditionary Forces (World War II) IV.498.5.a, IV.498.8.a

American Federation of Labor III.107.1.a

American Legion IV.319.2.a

American Red Cross VI.52.1.a, VI.80.4.a

American Tobacco Co. V.330.1.a

ammunition companies III.156, VI.127

Analysis Branch (Defense Secretary) V.330.8

Anchorage, AK IV.547.1.a

Ansbach, Germany IV.498.4.a

antiaircraft companies III.165.13.a 

antiartillery companies VI.127

Antigua IV.319.10.a

Arctic regions III.92.1.b, III.165.15.a

Arkansas

property use III.112.3.a

Arlington National Cemetery III.92.4.a, IV.335.1.a

Arlington, VA

bus segregation III.107.7.a, VI.80.1.a

discrimination by contractors V.330.1.a
armaments training III.107.14.a, III.165.1.a

Armed Forces Information and Education Office (Defense Secretary) V.330.4

Armed Forces Leave Act (1946) III.107.11.a

Armed Services Committee, Senate IV.335.1.a

armored command IV.498.4.a

Armstrong, D.W. VI.80.2.a

Army Air Forces

African American pilots II.18, II.18.3.a, II.340

applications III.107.12.a

combat operations reports II.341.1.a

enlisted men study III.165.19.a

officer training III.107.7.a 

ordnance companies III.156

racial policies II.341.1.a

recruiting III.107.14.a, IV.407.6.b

WACs III.165.7.a

Army Air Forces, Records of the (RG 18) II.18, App.

Army Chief of Staff III.107, IV.319.1, IV.498.2

Army, Department of the

integration policy III.168.2.a, IV.407.3.a

Army education III.165.4.a

Army engineers. See Engineers, Corps of (Army)

Army, Europe, U.S. IV.549.1

Army Field Forces IV.337.3

Army Graves Registration Service IV.319.1.a

Army Ground Forces IV.337

Army Inspector General III.159, IV.407.12.b

Army Medical Corps III.107.4.a, III.107.7.a

Army Medical Corps Reserve III.112.5.a, III.112.6.a

Army Medical Department III.112, III.112.1.a–III.112.9.a

Army Nurses Corps III.107.8.a, III.112.9.a

Army, Operational, Tactical, and Support Organizations (World War II and

Thereafter), Records of the U.S. (RG 338) IV.338

Army personnel (African American). See Also specific aspects of military service (e.g., enlistment)

opinion surveys IV.160.3.a, V.335.5.a

radio program V.225.1.a

Stimson-Hastie conference III.107.1.a

studies

advisory committee III.165.1.a

AGO IV.407.6.a

Alexander recommendations IV.335.1.a

Army Service Forces IV.160.4.a

Byers monograph II.341.2.a, IV.319.6.a, V.330.3.a

chaplains III.247.1.b

Civilian Aide reports II.341.2.a, III.107.10.a, IV.319.5.a

civilian violence IV.407.7.a

Fahy Committee IV.407.9.a

117
Far East Command IV.554.2.a

integration in Europe III.112.7.a

Lee monograph IV.319.4.a

total strength III.165.18.a

use in Little Rock integration IV.319.2.a

World War II service

fact sheet IV.319.11.a

inquiries III.107.7.a, V.330.7.a

Army, Records of the Office of the Secretary of the (RG 335) IV.335

Army Regulation 600-10 III.92.1.a, III.107.5.a

Army Reserve Corps III.247

Army Reserve, Office of the Chief IV.319.5

Army Reserves

integration IV.407.2.a

Marine training VI.127

Army, Secretary of the III.107.3, IV.335.1

Army Service Forces III.165.13.a, IV.160, IV.407.6.b

Army Staff, Records of the (RG 319) IV.319

“Army Talk” V.330.3.a

Army Tranportation Corps units IV.160.4.a

Army, U.S. See Also specific arms, branches, departments, and services; specific aspects of

military service (e.g., enlistment)

African American units

list IV.319.1.a

policy on use III.159

civilian interaction III.165, III.247

Eisenhower testimony IV.335.1.a

as social lab IV.389.2.a

arrests

bus segregation protest V.330.2.a

civilian authorities III.107.13.a, IV.160.2.a

excessive force IV.160.1.a

World War II operations IV.407.14.a

arsenals IV.160.7.a

artillery units IV.319.8.a

assaults VI.24.2.a

assignment and use of African American military personnel. See Also assignment and use

UNDER officers; occupational assignments; overseas assignments

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.1.a, IV.407.2.a, IV.407.9.a

air forces II.18, II.18.4.a, II.18.5.a, II.18.7.c

Army commands IV.554.2.a, IV.338.1.a, IV.493.1.a, IV.498.4.a

Army Engineers III.77.1.a, IV.498.4.a

Army Ground Forces IV.337.1.a, IV.337.3.a

Army history studies IV.319.4.a, IV.319.5.a, IV.319.6.a, V.330.3.a

Army Inspector General records III.159, III.159.3.a, III.159.4.a

Army Reserves IV.337.3.a

118
Army Secretary IV.335.1.a

Army Service Forces III.165.13.a, IV.160, IV.160.1.a

Army Staff IV.319.1.a, IV.319.3.a, IV.319.8.a, IV.319.10.a

Atomic Energy Commission installations IV.319.8.a

civilian community reaction

AGO correspondence IV.407.7.b

air forces II.18, II.18.4.a, II.18.5.a, II.341, II.341.1.a

Army Service Forces IV.160.2.b, IV.160.4.a

Australia III.165.17.a

German posts III.159.2.a

Great Britain IV.498.7.a

Irish inquiry III.165.1.a

rape allegations IV.389.2.a

southern posts III.159.2.a, IV.160.3.a, IV.407.10.a

WACs III.165.9.a, III.165.10.a, IV.160.2.b, IV.160.6.a, IV.407.7.a

World War II opinion survey III.107.6.a

Eisenhower’s Senate statement V.330.4.a

Hawaii III.107.10.a

infantry platoons IV.493.1.a, IV.498.1.a, IV.498.2.a

Marine Corps VI.80.4.a, VI.127, VI.127.1.a

National Guard units III.165.13.a, III.168.1.a, III.168.1.b, III.168.2.a

naval personnel VI.24.1.a, VI.24.2.a, VI.52.1.a, VI.80, VI.80.2.a, VI.80.3.a, VI.80.4.a

overhead installations IV.554.1.a

postwar planning 

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.3.a, IV.407.8.a

Air Force II.3431.2.a

Army commands IV.338.1.a, IV.492.1.a, IV.493.1.a, IV.498.2.a, IV.498.6.a, 

IV.547.1.a, IV.554.1.a, IV.554.2.a, 

Army Ground Forces IV.337.2.a, IV.337.3.a

Army Inspector General III.159.2.a

Army Service Forces IV.160.4.a, IV.160.5.a, IV.160.6.a

Army staff IV.319.5.a

Army transport IV.336.2.a

chaplains records III.247.3.a

Gillem Board report III.165.13.a

Surgeon General III.112.2.a, III.112.7.a

War Department General, Special Staffs III.165, III.165.5.a, III.165.6.a, III.165.11.a,

III.165.16.a, III.165.19.a

War Secretary III.107.2.a, III.107.4.a

special units III.111.2.a

supervisory posts III.92.2.a

War Department General, Special Staffs III.165, III.165.1.a, III.165.4.a, III.165.8.a,

III.165.13.a

War Department policy III.168

War Secretary III.107.10.a

white units IV.407.14.a, IV.493.1.a, IV.498.2.a, IV.498.7.a, IV.554.1.a

Women’s Army Corps III.165.10.a

119
World War II IV.407.4.a, IV.407.14.a

athletes V.330.2.a

Atlanta, GA IV.160.5.a

Atlanta, GA, Better Business Bureau III.247.1.b

Atomic Energy Commission IV.319.8.a

Auerbach, Germany IV.498.2.a

Australia

U.S. African American troops III.165.17.a

shipwreck investigation IV.336.1.a

auxiliary naval ships VI.80

aviation engineer companies III.77

aviation ordnance companies III.156

aviation schools II.18.3.a, III.107.5.a, III.107.12.a

aviators and pilots. See Also air force personnel and airmen

Brown inquiry II.341.1.a, III.107.12.a

awards. See military awards and decorations

Bahamas

prisoners in U.S. IV.160.5.a

Baker, Roosevelt A. III.247.2.a

bakers and bakery units III.92, III.92.3.a

Baldwin, James L. IV.549.1.a

Baldwin, William VI.80.1.a

Balleroy IV.498.8.a

Baltimore, MD IV.389.4.a

bands IV.319.2.a, App.

Baptist chaplains III.247.2.a

Bard, Ralph A. VI.80.1, VI.80.3.a

Barksdale, AZ III.159.3.a

Barrow, Joe Louis III.165.1.a, IV.160.9.a, VI.80.4.a

Beasley, Louis III.247.2.a

behavior. See conduct and misconduct

Belgium

U.S. African American troops IV.498.8.a

Wereth massacre IV.549.1.a

U.S. troops in Congo IV.407.6.a

Belle Island Park, MI IV.389.4.a

Bennett College IV.160.10.a

Bethlehem Steel Ship Yards III.107.8.a

Bethune, Albert III.107.12.a

Bethune, Mary McLeod III.107.12.a, III.165.9.a

Bilbo, Theodore IV.160.5.a

Bingham and Garfield Railroad Co. IV.389.4.a

Birmingham, AL III.107.6.a, IV.336.1.a, IV.389.1.a

Blackford, William M. VI.24.1.a

Blacks in the Marine Corps VI.127.1.Special Note

Blackstone, VA IV.407.7.b

120
Blanshard, Paul III.165.16.a

blood plasma segregation III.107.2.a, III.107.5.a, III.112.3.a, III.165.5.a, VI.52.1.a, VI.80.4.a

Bluford, Lucille H. III.159.3.a

bomb disposal squads III.165.7.a

bomb disposal training III.107.12.a

bombardiers III.112.6.a

bomber mission reports II.18.1

Boston, MA IV.160.11.a

Boston, MA, Navy Yard VI.24.1.a

Bougainville III.107.9.a, III.165.3.a

Bousfield, M.O. III.112.6.a

Bowman, John W. III.247.2.a

Bowman, Sidney IV.338.1.a

bricklayers II.18.3.a

Bristol Channel ports IV.498.5.a

Britain. See Great Britain

British Guiana III.165.16.a

Britto, George III.159.3.a

Bronze Star awards IV.498.2.a

Brooke General Hospital III.159.2.a

Brookley Field, AL IV.407.6.a

Brooklyn, NY IV.407.7.b

Brooks Field, TX II.18.6.a

Brown, Douglas G. III.107.12.a

Brown, James A. III.247.1.b

Brown v. Board of Education IV.319.1.a

Brown, Willa B. II.341.1.a, III.107.12.a

Buck, Pearl S. VI.80.1.a

Bulge, Battle of the IV.549.1.a

Bunkie, LA III.107.5.a

burials IV.335.1.a, IV.407.8.a

bus transportation

racial violence incidents IV.160.2.b, IV.407.6.a

segregation III.107.7.a, III.107.13.a, VI.80.1.a

protests IV.160.12.a, V.330.2.a

Butte, MT III.107.7.a

Byers, Jean II.341.2.a, III.107.12.a, IV.319.6.a, V.330.3.a

Calhoun, Nimrod C. III.247.2.a

California

Japanese–African American relations IV.319.7.a

Camouflage Unit III.77.1.a

Camp Breckenridge, KY III.165.13.a

Camp Butner, ND IV.160.2.b

Camp Campbell, KY IV.319.1.a

Camp Claiborne, LA III.159.3.a, IV.338.1.a

Camp Davis, NC IV.389.2.a

121
Camp Deming, LA III.107.14.a

Camp Devens, MA III.107.2.a 

Camp Elliot, CA App.

Camp Gordon, GA III.165.14.a

Camp Gordon Johnston, FL IV.160.5.a

Camp Huachuca, AZ III.107.5.a

Camp Joseph T. Robinson, AR IV.160.2.b

Camp Kilmer, NJ IV.160.7.a, IV.160.10.a

Camp Lee, VA

attitudes questionnaire IV.160.3.a

facilities inspection III.247.3.a, IV.160.10.a

program testing V.330.4.a

racial problems III.107.13.a

Camp Lejeune, NC VI.127

Camp Livingston, LA IV.160.5.a

Camp Logan, TX IV.407.10.a

Camp McCoy, WI IV.389.2.a

Camp Meade, MD III.165.14.a

Camp Murphy, FL IV.160.5.a

Camp Pickett, VA IV.160.1.a, IV.407.7.b

Camp Plauche, LA IV.160.2.b, IV.407.7.a

Camp Polk, LA IV.407.4.a

Camp Roberts, CA IV.407.9.a

Camp Robinson, AR IV.407.7.b

Camp Rucker, AL 

discrimination complaints IV.407.10.a, V.330.7.a

entertainment V.330.4.a

racial disturbance IV.319.1.a, IV.407.4.a

Camp Shelby, MS III.107.13.a, IV.160.1.a, IV.160.2.b, IV.160.5.a

Camp Shenango, PA, Replacement Depot IV.407.7.a

Camp Stewart, GA II.18.5.a

Camp Sutton, GA III.247.1.b

Camp Van Dorn, MS II.18.5.a, III.165.1.a, III.165.16.a, IV.407.7.a

Canada

assignment of African American personnel III.92.1.b

capital punishment IV.407.2.a, IV.407.7.a

car companies III.92

Career Management Branch (Adjutant General’s Office) IV.407.1

Career Management Group (G-1) III.165.8

Caribbean area III.165.16.a, IV.407.9.a

Carlsbad, NM [airfield] II.18.5.a

Carter, Zilford IV.160.2.a

Carver, George Washington VI.80.4.a

casualties III.107.12.a, IV.319.11.a

Navy, Marines VI.24.2.a

remains repatriation III.165.11.a

Wereth massacre IV.549.1.a

122
World War II IV.407.14.a

cavalry regiments III.391, III.391.1.a

Cemeterial Division (Quartermaster General) III.92.4

censorship

extracts IV.498.7.a

violations IV.492.2.a

Centreville, MS, Cantonment IV.160.8.a

Channing, Tobias V.225.1.a

chaplains

African American units III.165.14.a, III.247, III.247.1.b

conditions III.107.10.a

WAAC applicant III.165.9.a

AME positions III.247.1.a

controversial sermon IV.160.11.a

crime prevention IV.498.8.a

recruitment III.107.12.a, III.247

World War II IV.335.1.a

Chaplains, Records of the Office of the Chief of (RG 247) III.247

Charleston, SC IV.389.2.a, V.330.7.a

chauffeurs III.112

Cherbourg, France IV.498.8.a

Chicago Defender II.341.2.a

Chicago, IL

air forces recruiting III.107.14.a

assignment of African Americans III.92.2.a

Gardiner Hospital WACs III.165.9.a, IV.160.2.b, IV.160.6.a, IV.407.7.a

conditions for WACs III.165.10.a

public opinion study III.107.6.a

Signal Corps training III.111.1.a

children

illegitimacy statistics III.112.3.a, III.112.4.a

interracial paternity claims III.107.11.a, III.165.6.a

China

U.S. troops IV.493.1.a

Chrysler Corp. IV.160.7.a

churches

chaplains III.247, III.247.2.a

war support VI.80.3.a

CIO. See Congress of Industrial Organizations

Civil Law Director (Air Force Judge Advocate General) II.341.1

civil rights policies IV.407.2.a

Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War. See Also Evans, James C.; Gibson, Truman K., Jr.;

Hastie, William H.; Ray, Marcus

correspondence, reports III.107.12–III.107.13, IV.407.7.b

employment assistance III.107.12.a

integration recommendations III.107.10.a

civilian employees. See Also discrimination in employment

123
inflammatory letter III.159.3.a

Navy VI.52.1.a, VI.80.2.a

President’s Committee report VI.80.1.a

civilian-military interaction. See Also civilian community reaction UNDER assignment and

use of African American military personnel; interracial fraternization and marriage

Adjutant General’s correspondence IV.407.6.a, IV.407.7.a

chaplains III.247, III.247.2.a

Hastie report on violence IV.407.7.a

hospital in Liberia III.112.9.a

literacy instruction III.107.12.a

Medical Department recommendations III.112, III.112.1.a, III.112.6.a

military police IV.389

police treatment

AGO correspondence IV.407.5.a, IV.407.6.a

Army commands IV.160.12.a

attacks III.107.4.a, III.107.5.a, IV.160.2.a, IV.160.6.a

Civilian Aide’s records III.107.13.a

death investigation III.107.2.a

MacDill airfield II.18.7.a

Provost Marshal General IV.389.1.a

racial incident records IV.160.1.a, IV.160.2.b

racial tension prevention III.107.6.a, IV.160.12.a

Tuskegee photographers II.18.7.c

Virgin Islands liaison III.165.8.a

War Department correspondence III.107, III.165, IV.160.2.a

Civilian Personnel Division (Ordnance Department) III.156.1

Civilian Pilot Training Program II.18

civilians. See African American civilians

clerks VI.127

Cleveland Graphite Bronze Co. IV.389.4.a

Cleveland, OH III.111.1.a

coal miners IV.160.1.a

Cochran, Philip G. II.18

Coffey School of Aeronautics III.107.12.a

Colgate University VI.24.2.a

colleges and universities

aviation education II.18, II.18.4.c

integrated football teams VI.24.2.a

ROTC units IV.319.1.a, IV.407.8.a

War Department policy on fitness directors IV.160.10.a

Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association IV.160.10.a

Columbia, SC IV.407.5.a, V.330.2.a

Columbia, TN, riot IV.160.5.a

Columbus, GA III.159.3.a, IV.319.1.a

combat performance of African American personnel 

10th Cavalry III.391.1.a

92d Infantry Division III.165.3.a, IV.319.9.a, IV.407.12.b

124
93d Infantry Division III.107.2.a, III.107.8.a, III.165.3.a

Adams study IV.407.6.a

Korean War III.159.4.a, IV.319.11.a, IV.407.13.a

leadership analysis III.112.4.a, IV.338.10.a

leadership selection III.165.4.a

press releases III.165.19.a

unit histories III.107.1.a

World War II IV.319.11.a

air units II.18, II.18.1.a–II.18.1.c, IV.492.2.a

artillery III.107.9.a

ETO IV.498.7.a

infantry platoons IV.498.2.a

tank battalion III.107.9.a, IV.498.2.a

command reports IV.407.13

Commandant, Office of the (Marine Corps) VI.127.1

Commanding General (Headquarters Army Air Forces) II.18.1, II.18.3

Commanding General (Headquarters Army Service Forces) IV.160.1

commando service units III.165.13.a, IV.407.6.a

commemorative stamps VI.80.4.a

Commissioned Personnel Branch (G-3) III.165.14

Committee Against Jim Crow in Military Service and Training V.330.7.a

Communications Branch (Adjutant General’s Office) IV.407.6.a

communism 

Information Office records IV.319.2.a

naval intelligence VI.38.1.a

Negro participation IV.319.7.b, IV.319.8.a

Communist Party, Douglass Branch IV.160.11.a

condition of African American military personnel 

Army Service Forces IV.160.1.a

Europe IV.407.5.a, IV.498.2.a, IV.498.7.a, 

Marine Corps facilities VI.127.1.a

McCloy correspondence III.107.10.a

Navy VI.24.2.a 

problems checklist III.112.1.a

War Department General, Special Staffs III.165.1.a, III.165.5.a, III.165.7.a

conduct and misconduct 

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.9.a

War Department General, Special staffs III.165.5.a, III.165.13.a

Conference on Negro Naval Personnel IV.336.2.a

Congo

U.S. troops IV.407.6.a

Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) III.107.1.a, IV.160.7.a

Congress, Members of

comments IV.335.1.a

correspondence IV.160.2.a, IV.407.7.a

Congress, U.S. See Also Senate, U.S.

antisegregation bill III.107.4.a

125
congressional inquiries

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.7.b

airfield integration II.341.1.a

Defense Secretary V.330.7.a

discrimination in Germany III.159.2.a

hospital segregation III.112.8.a, IV.160.5.a

medical rejection of enlistees III.112.7.a

naval personnel VI.80.2.a, VI.80.4.a

Negro cavalry units III.107.2.a

prison guard escort IV.389.1.a

racial incidents IV.319.2.a

rape allegation IV.389.2.a

ROTC unit IV.319.1.a

WAC admissions III.165.9.a

War Department General, Special Staffs III.165.1.a

Connecticut

National Guard integration III.168.2.a

construction workers II.18.3.a

“Consultants on Negro Affairs” V.225.1.a

Control Division (Army Service Forces) IV.160.5–IV.160.6

convoys IV.407.14.a

cooks III.92.3.a, III.112, VI.127, VI.127.1.a

Coolidge Field, Antigua IV.319.10.a

Corregidor IV.407.12.a

Correspondence Control Division (Air Force Secretary) II.340.1

Correspondence Control Section (Defense Secretary) V.330.7

Corpus Christi, TX, Naval Air Station VI.80.4.a

Counter Intelligence Corps IV.493.1.a

courts-martial

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.7.a, IV.407.11.a

Army commands IV.498.6.a

executions IV.407.2.a

Korean War III.159.4.a

NAACP investigation III.107.2.a 

naval personnel IV.160.7.a, VI.24.2.a

War Department General, Special staffs III.165.1.a, III.165.5.a

World War II operations reports IV.407.14.a

Cowan, Jason M. III.247.1.b

crimes. See Also courts-martial; military justice; prisoners

accusation rumors IV.160.2.b

Army Service Forces IV.160.2.a

behavior survey IV.498.4.a

prevention efforts IV.498.8.a

sentencing discrimination IV.335.1.a

statistics IV.498.7.a

troops stationed in Europe III.159.2.a, IV.492.2.a, IV.498.3.a, IV.498.8.a

U.S.S. Croatan IV.319.10.a

126
Crocker, E. H. V.225.1.a

cross burnings IV.160.1.a, IV.319.1.a

Culver City, CA V.330.1.a

Dalhart, TX, Army Airbase III.159.2.a

Dan River Mills (Danville, VA) V.330.1.a

dance halls IV.498.5.a

dances IV.160.5.a

Davis, Benjamin O., Jr. IV.407.8.a

Davis, Benjamin O., Sr.

inspection reports

Army Ground Forces IV.337.4.a

ETO tour III.107.10.a, IV.498.7.a, IV.498.8.a

Fort Clark, TX IV.407.7.a

Maxwell Army Air Field II.18.7.b

Tuskegee airfield II.18.4.b

OCS discrimination IV.498.1.a

photo requests IV.407.8.a

recruiting assistance III.165.1.a

Dearborn, MI IV.389.4.a

death sentences. See capital punishment

decorations. See military awards and decorations

Defense Department, U.S.

contractor nondiscrimination V.330.1.a, V.330.2.a, V.330.6.a

employment positions V.330.2.a

racial policies II.341.2.a

defense industries

civilian African American workers IV.160.1.a

discrimination in employment III.107.7.a, III.107.8.a

Army Service Forces IV.160.7.a, IV.160.8.a, IV.160.9.a

banned in contracts III.107.1.a, III.107.5.a, IV.319.7.a, IV.336.1.a, V.330.2.a

complaint investigations V.330.1.a, V.330.6.a

ordnance production III.156.1.a

racial tension surveys III.165.7.a, IV.319.7.a

wartime Federal seizures IV.389.4.a

Defense (Legislative and Public Affairs), Assistant Secretary of V.330.8

Defense (Manpower, Personnel and Reserve Affairs), Assistant Secretary of V.330.3–V.330.5

Defense, Records of the Office of the Secretary of (RG 330) V.330

Defense (Supply and Logistics), Office of the Assistant Secretary of V.330.1, V.330.6

demobilization

Army Service Forces IV.160.5.a

integration plan III.107.4.a

postwar planning III.107.10.a

Provost Marshal General IV.389.3.a

reconversion study III.165.19.a

War Department General, Special Staffs III.165.6.a

War Secretary III.107.10.a

127
dentists

discrimination III.165.14.a

Navy commissions VI.52.1.a

World War II use III.112, III.112.1.a, III.112.3.a

Denver, CO IV.319.7.b

Des Moines, IA IV.319.7.b

desertions IV.160.7.a

Detroit, MI III.107.6.a

Detroit, MI, riot (1943)

Army Inspector General records III.159.3.a

Army Service Forces race relations analyst IV.160.9.a

background, Life article IV.389.4.a

Provost Marshal protection IV.389.1.a

War Secretary correspondence, report III.107.1.a

White report IV.407.7.a

DeVeaux, John A. III.247.2.a

Diggs, Thomas O. III.247.2.a

discipline of African American military personnel

air units IV.492.2.a

naval personnel IV.336.2.a, VI.24.1.a, VI.24.2.a

training V.330.4.a

Vietnam War VI.127.1.Special Note

WACs III.165.10.a

War Department General, Special Staffs III.165.1.a

World War II operations reports IV.407.14.a

discrimination allegations. See Also discrimination in employment; discrimination in public

accommodations; treatment and mistreatment of African American military personnel

air force personnel II.18.4.a, II.18.5.a, II.18.6.a, II.18.7.a, II.341.2.a, III.107.14.a, 

III.159.2.a, III.165.7.a, III.165.19.a

99th Squadron officers IV.492.2.a

applications III.107.12.a

OCS applicants IV.498.1.a

recruiting III.107.14.a

Army personnel

25th Infantry II.341.1.a

Adjutant General’s correspondence IV.407.2.a, IV.407.3.a, IV.407.4.a, IV.407.6.a, 

IV.407.7.b, IV.407.9.a, IV.407.10.a, IV.407.11.a

Alaska III.165.16.a, IV.547.1.a

Army Service Forces IV.160.5.a, IV.160.7.a, IV.160.9.a

Civilian Aide’s records III.107.12.a

Engineer units IV.319.11.a

G-1 records IV.319.6.a

General, Special Staffs III.165, III.165.6.a, III.165.7.a, III.165.13.a

IG records III.159, III.159.2.a, III.159.3.a

medical personnel III.107.7.a, III.112.6.a, III.112.8.a, III.165.14.a

military justice III.159.4.a

National Guard III.168.1.a

128
officer candidate schools III.165.1.a, IV.407.7.b

officers’ clubs III.165.3.a

ordnance IV.407.11.a

overseas commands IV.498.8.a, IV.554.1.a, 

Caribbean III.165.16.a, IV.319.10.a 

ETO IV.498.3.a

Germany III.159.2.a, IV.407.8.a, IV.407.11.a

occupied Japan IV.335.1.a

quartermaster III.92.2.a

recreational facilities IV.160.10.a

recruiting III.107.11.a

reserves IV.319.1.a, IV.337.2.a

Signal Corps trainees III.111.1.a, IV.407.11.a

southern posts III.159.2.a, IV.407.10.a

Transportation chief IV.336.2.a

veterans hospital IV.160.11.a

War Assistant Secretary III.107.7.a

women III.107.12.a, III.165.1.a, III.165.9.a

civic nondiscrimination resolutions IV.407.7.b

Defense Secretary V.330.7.a

military intelligence reports III.165.12.a

naval personnel VI.24.2.a, VI.80.1–VI.80.2, VI.80.4.a, VI.52.1.a

press coverage III.107.10.a

Randolph speech IV.160.11.a

discrimination in education IV.335.1.a. 

See Also schools 

discrimination in employment

civilian government employees

embalmers IV.319.1.a

metropolitan areas III.92.2.a

Special Services Branch IV.407.5.a

War Department III.107.4.a, IV.498.4.a

Wright Field III.159.2.a

defense industries III.107.5.a, III.107.7.a, III.107.8.a

Army Service Forces IV.160.7.a, IV.160.8.a, IV.160.9.a

banned in contracts III.107.1.a, III.107.5.a, IV.319.7.a, IV.336.1.a, V.330.2.a

complaint investigations V.330.1.a, V.330.6.a

ordnance production III.156.1.a

Far East Command IV.554.2.a

merchant marine V.330.2.a

Navy opportunities VI.24.2.a

railroad industry IV.336.1.a

religious affiliation III.111.1.a

shipbuilding trades VI.80.2.a

union activities III.111.1.a

discrimination in housing

Air Force facilities II.340.1.a

129
Army hospital III.112.8.a

naval districts App.

discrimination in public accomodations

British dance hall IV.498.5.a

cafeteria segregation IV.160.7.a

food service IV.407.4.a

French hotel IV.498.6.a

Italian hotel IV.492.1.a

transportation IV.160.1.a, IV.319.10.a

bus service III.107.7.a, III.107.13.a, VI.80.1.a

railroads IV.336.1.a

dishonorable discharges IV.407.7.a

Distinguished Flying Cross IV.319.11.a

Distinguished Service Cross IV.319.2.a, IV.319.11.a

Distinguished Unit Citation IV.407.13.a

Ditchingham Hall, Norfolk, England IV.498.5.a

Dixon, Russell III.112.3.a

doctors. See physicians

“Double-V Campaign” IV.160.3.a

draft. See enlistment of African American military personnel

drugs and pharmaceuticals

venereal disease control VI.52.1.a

Dudley, England IV.498.8.a

dump truck companies III.77

DuPont III.156.1.a

Durham, NC IV.319.2.a, V.330.1.a

E.I. DuPont de Nemours III.156.1.a

Eagle Pass, TX IV.407.7.b

Eastland, James O. III.107.8.a

educational activities. See Also colleges and universities; schools

chaplains III.247.2.a

discrimination charges IV.335.1.a

Eglin Field, FL IV.160.1.a

Eisenhower, Dwight D.

British relations statement IV.498.7.a

Little Rock school desegregation IV.319.2.a

Senate testimony IV.335.1.a, V.330.4.a

Smith letter IV.498.2.a

Elizabethtown, KY III.107.13.a

embalmers IV.319.1.a

Emirau Island III.107.9.a

employment. See discrimination in employment

The Employment of Negro Troops (Lee) IV.319.4.a

Employment Service, U.S. III.107.7.a

engineering training III.107.14.a

Engineers, Corps of (Army)

130
assignments IV.498.4.a

Camp Claiborne inspection III.159.3.a

racial policies III.77

Engineers, Records of the Office of the Chief of (RG 77) III.77

England. See Great Britain

Enlisted Division (General Staff/G-1) IV.337.1

enlisted men

advancement opportunity III.92.1.b

attitudes surveys III.112.6.a, III.165.19.a, V.330.3.a

statistics report III.165.1.a

World War II service inquiry V.330.7.a

Enlisted Reserve Corps IV.337.2.a

enlistment of African American military personnel. See Also recruiting

air forces II.18, II.340.2.a, III.107.12.a

Army commands IV.492.1.a, IV.547.1.a, IV.554.1.a, 

Army-Navy comparison III.165.17.a

Army racial quotas

Engineers III.77

Medical Department III.112

National Guard III.168

Ordnance Department III.156

Quartermaster Department III.92

registration ratios III.107.1.a, III.107.3.a

Signal Corps III.111, III.111.1.a

distribution IV.319.1.a

induction centers

Negro physicians III.112.1.a

psychological interviews III.112.6.a

literacy rejections III.165.1.a

Marine Corps VI.127, VI.127.1.a

medical rejections III.112.7.a, VI.127.1.a

Navy VI.24.2.a, VI.80, VI.80.1.a, VI.80.2.a, VI.80.3.a, VI.80.4.a

postwar levels III.112.8.a, III.165.6.a, III.165.11.a, IV.319.6.a

procedures III.168.1.a, IV.337.2.a

Army induction III.107.7.a

Ft. Jackson posting III.107.4.a

segregation of draftees IV.407.3.a

reenlistment processing III.107.4.a, III.165.18.a

Regular Army IV.337.1.a

special units III.111.2.a

WAC requirements III.165.9.a

War Department policies III.107.11.a, III.165.2.a, III.165.6.a

entertainment

Army Service Forces IV.160

Horne concert IV.160.2.b

scarcity V.330.4.a

on ships VI.24.2.a

131
ETO. See European Theater of Operations

Europe. See Also specific countries

African American troops III.107.13.a, IV.407.8.a

occupation troops IV.407.9.a

Powell tour IV.335.1.a

Europe, U.S. Army IV.549.1.a

European Command III.111.2.a, III.165.8.a

European Theater of Operations (ETO)

command records IV.498.1–498.8

Davis inspection III.107.10.a, IV.498.7.a, IV.498.8.a 

Gibson visit report III.165.19.a

hospital care IV.493.1.a

Negro press tour, report III.165.18.a, IV.319.10.a, IV.407.2.a, IV.407.8.a, IV.498.2.a

Surgeon General’s records III.112.4.a

White report III.107.8.a, III.107.12.a

Evans, James II.341.2.a, III.107.12.a, IV.319.5.a

executions. See capital punishment

Executive Order 8802 III.159.2.a, IV.160.8.a, VI.127

Executive Order 9981 II.340, II.340.2.a, III.92.3.a, VI.127.1.a

Executive Order 10590 III.92.2.a

Executive orders

defense contractor discrimination III.107.1.a, III.107.5.a

Fahy, Charles II.340.1.a

Fahy Committee. See President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in

the Armed Services

Fair Employment Practice, Committee on III.156.1.a, IV.160.8.a, IV.336.1.a, VI.80.1.a,

VI.80.2.a

Fair Employment Program III.92.2.a

Far East Command III.159.4.a, IV.554.1–IV.554.2, IV.407.11.a

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Civilian Aide’s records III.107.13.a

intelligence reports III.165.12.a, IV.319.7.a, IV.319.7.b

naval intelligence VI.38.1.a

Federal employees. See civilian employees

Feldman [Quartermaster General] III.92.3.a

Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. IV.389.3.a

First War Powers Act IV.389.4.a

Fisk University IV.160.9.a, V.330.2.a

Florence, Italy IV.407.7.a

Flowers, Addie Brooks IV.160.6.a

food service

discrimination IV.160.5.a, IV.160.7.a, IV.336.1.a

inadequacy IV.407.4.a

mess attendants VI.24.2.a, VI.80, VI.80.1.a, VI.80.4.a

football teams VI.24.2.a

Ford Motor Co. IV.389.4.a

132
Forrestal, James V. II.340, II.340.2.a, II.341, III.92.3.a

Fort Belvoir, VA IV.160.8.a

Fort Benning, GA

cross burning incident IV.319.1.a

discrimination III.159.3.a

inspection III.247.3.a, IV.160.10.a

racial tension III.107.3.a

reenlistee processing III.165.18.a

Fort Bliss, TX II.18.5.a

Fort Bragg, NC III.247.3.a, IV.160.5.a, IV.319.2.a, IV.407.7.b

Fort Clark, TX IV.407.7.a

Fort Custer, MI III.165.13.a

Fort Des Moines, IA III.165.7.a, III.165.10.a

Fort Devens, MA

Bethune letter III.165.9.a 

“forced march” IV.407.6.a

racial attack III.107.2.a

WACs II.341.2.a, III.165.10.a, IV.407.7.a

Fort Dix, NJ III.159.3.a, IV.160.5.a, VI.38.1.a

Fort Francis E. Warren, NY IV.407.7.b

Fort Hancock, NJ IV.160.5.a

Fort Hayes, OH IV.389.1.a

Fort Hood, TX III.165.1.a

Fort Huachuca, AZ 

92d Infantry Division history IV.407.12.b

93d Infantry training III.107.5.a

hospital III.112.3.a, III.112.6.a

Inspector General’s records III.159.3.a

nurse training III.107.8.a

recreational, px facilities IV.160.3.a

Surgeon General’s records III.112.7.a

treatment of African American troops IV.338.1.a

WAAC activities III.165.10.a

Fort Jackson, SC 

enlistee posting III.107.4.a

discrimination charges III.107.11.a, IV.160.8.a, IV.407.8.a

racial incident report IV.160.1.a

Fort Knox, KY IV.319.8.a, IV.407.9.a

Fort Lawton, WA IV.160.2.b

Fort Leavenworth, KS III.165.6.a, IV.407.6.a

Fort Leonard Wood, MO IV.160.5.a

Fort Lewis, WA IV.337.2.a

Fort McClellan, AL III.165.10.a, IV.319.2.a, IV.389.1.a

Fort McKavitt, TX IV.407.12.a

Fort Monmouth, NJ IV.407.11.a

Fort Oglethorpe, GA III.165.9.a

Fort Ord, CA III.247.1.b, IV.319.1.a

133
Fort Riley, KS IV.407.4.a

Fort Sam Houston, TX III.159.2.a

Fort Sill, OK III.159.3.a, III.247.1.b, IV.319.8.a

Fort Worth, TX IV.407.6.a

Foster, Lemuel L. IV.160.9.a

Fox Hill Terminal, NY IV.160.2.b

France

U.S. African American troops

conditions IV.407.5.a

Davis ETO tour IV.498.7.a

hotel discrimination IV.498.6.a

relations with women IV.407.6.a, IV.498.8.a

Fraternal Order of Negro Churches in America III.247.1.a, VI.80.3.a

Frederick Douglass Branch, Communist Party IV.160.11.a

Free Browder Congress VI.38.1.a

Freeman, Edward A. III.247.2.a

Freeman Field, IN III.159.3.a, III.165.5.a, III.165.7.a, III.165.19.a

Freeman, Susan E. III.112.9.a

Fuller, Luther M. III.247.2.a, IV.160.11.a

fumigation and bath units III.92

furloughs IV.160.1.a

Furstenfeldbruck, Germany, Airbase III.159.2.a, IV.407.8.a

G-1 (Enlisted Division/General Staff) IV.337.1

G-1 (Personnel)

medical companies III.112

mobilization plan III.168

racial assignments III.92.3.a

G-1 (Personnel and Administration), Office of the Director of (War Department)

III.165.5–III.165.11

G-1 (Personnel), Assistant Chief of Staff for IV.319.6.a

G-2 (Intelligence), Assistant Chief of Staff for IV.319.7

G-3 (Operations), Assistant Chief of Staff for Organization and Training IV.319.8–IV.319.9

G-3 (Organization and Training), Office of the Director of (War Department)

III.165.13–III.165.14

G-4 (Service, Supply and Procurement), Office of the Director of (War Department)

III.165.15

Gardiner General Hospital III.165.9.a, IV.160.2.b, IV.160.6.a, IV.407.7.a

gas supply units III.92

Geiger Field, WA IV.407.8.a

Gelnhausen, Germany IV.335.1.a

genealogy IV.319.5.a

General Board (Navy) VI.127

General Cable Co. IV.160.8.a

General Electric Co. V.330.6.a

General Tire Co. III.156.1.a

Geographic File (Surgeon General) III.112.3–III.112.4

134
Georgetown, British Guiana III.165.16.a

German prisoners of war II.159.2.a, IV.160.2.b

Germany

racial situation IV.319.11.a

U.S. African American troops IV.160.1.a, IV.407.7.a

criminal charges III.107.10.a, III.159.2.a, IV.498.3.a

discrimination allegations III.159.2.a, IV.407.8.a, IV.407.11.a

former POW camp IV.498.2.a

interracial fraternization III.107.4.a, III.165.2.a

occupation troops III.107.9.a, IV.335.1.a, V.330.7.a

racial disorders IV.498.2.a, IV.498.4.a

training center III.165.7.a, III.165.8.a

Senate investigation of conduct III.165.2.a

U.S. civilian employees IV.498.4.a

World War II massacre IV.549.1.a

Gibson, Elmer III.247.2.a

Gibson, Truman K., Jr.

92d Infantry Division evaluation III.165.3.a, III.165.19.a, IV.319.9.a, IV.407.12.b

appointment III.107

ETO visit III.165.19.a, IV.498.3.a

War Department role III.77.1.a

Gillem Board reports III.107.2.a, III.107.4.a, III.107.9.a, III.165.2.a, III.165.13.a

Army Service Forces response IV.160.4.a

enlistment recommendation III.107.3.a

Godman Field, IN III.165.7.a

Gold Star mothers VI.80.4.a

Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. IV.160.7.a

Graham, Annie E. VI.127

Grant, Robert IV.160.2.a

Great Britain

U.S. African American troops III.165.17.a, IV.498.7.a

conditions III.165.7.a

interracial marriage and paternity III.107.11.a, III.112.3.a, III.112.4.a, III.165.6.a, 

IV.407.6.a

prisoners III.107.10.a

treatment IV.498.5.a

World War I II.18.3.a

Great Lakes, IL, Naval Training Center App.

Green Island III.107.9.a

Griffin, James C. III.247.2.a

Grovelly Woods IV.498.7.a

Guam IV.554.1.a, VI.127

guard duty III.107.5.a, IV.389.1.a, IV.389.3.a

Guillion, Allen W. IV.389

Gurdon, AR III.107.5.a

Hall, Charles B. II.18

135
Hamilton Field, CA, Post Barber Shop V.330.1.a

Hamlet, NC III.107.13.a, IV.407.6.a

Hampton Institute VI.80.2.a, VI.80.3.a

Harding Field, LA III.107.14.a

Harlem, NY IV.407.7.a

Harvard University III.247.1.b

Harvey, Theodore V.L. III.247.1.b

Hastie, William H.

appointment III.107

Army-Navy welfare board V.225.1.a

Boston speech IV.160.11.a

civilian violence report IV.407.7.a

general correspondence III.107.12

on medical personnel III.112.3.a

on pilots III.107.14.a

as policy authority III.92.1.a

resignation II.18, II.18.5.a, III.107, III.107.10.a

response to reports III.159.3.a

Stimson correspondence III.107.1.a

on troop policies III.107.5.a

Virgin Islands civilian liaison III.165.8.a

Hastings, NE, Naval Ammunition Depot App.

Hawaii

combat unit assignment III.107.10.a

Hawaiian Division IV.407.12.a

Headquarters Army Air Forces II.18.1, II.18.3

Headquarters Army Field Forces IV.337.3

Headquarters Army Ground Forces, Records of (RG 337) IV.337

Headquarters Army Service Forces, Records of (RG 160) IV.160

Headquarters United States Air Force (Air Staff), Records of (RG 341) II.341

health and medical care of African American troops

inquiries IV.407.7.b, IV.407.10.a

Kubie report III.107.8.a

Navy Medicine and Surgery Bureau VI.52.1.a

Surgeon General’s records III.112.6.a

Health and Medical Committee (Surgeon General) III.112.6.a

Herlong, CA IV.160.2.b

heroes IV.319.11.a, VI.24.2.a, VI.80.1.a

Hewlett, Everett A. III.247.2.a

Hicks, Elder B. III.247.2.a

high blood pressure IV.407.10.a

Hill Farm IV.498.7.a

Hinley, James R. III.247.2.a

Historical Division (European Theater of Operations) IV.498.7

Historical Division (Military History Chief) IV.319.3.a

Historical Division (Surgeon General) III.112.7.a

Historical Section (Army Ground Forces) IV.337.4

136
Historical Services Division (Military History Chief) IV.319.4

Hobby, Oveta Culp III.165.9.a, III.165.10.a

Holcomb, Thomas VI.127

Holder, Oscar E. III.247.2.a

Hollandia IV.407.12.a

Horace, J.L. III.159.2.a

Horne, Lena IV.160.2.b

hospital orderlies III.112

hospital patients

attitudes report IV.493.1.a

discrimination IV.160.11.a

Navy practices VI.52.1.a

segregation III.107.7.a, IV.160.2.b, IV.160.5.a

hospital staff

discrimination III.159.2.a

segregation III.112, III.112.5.a, III.112.8.a

hospitals

conference III.112.1.a

Fort Huachuca III.112.3.a, III.112.6.a

Liberia III.112.9.a

WAC assignments III.165.9.a, IV.160.2.b, IV.160.6.a, IV.407.7.a

hotels IV.492.1.a, IV.498.6.a

Householder, E.R. IV.389.2.a

housing shortages IV.389.3.a, IV.407.7.b. 

See Also military housing

Houston Informer VI.80.1.a

Houston, TX IV.389.1.a, IV.389.2.a, IV.407.10.a

Howard University III.112.3.a, III.165.10.a, IV.160.10.a, V.330.3.a, VI.80.1.a

Humble Oil and Refinery Co. V.330.6.a

Illinois

National Guard integration IV.407.9.a

Illinois Central Railroad IV.160.6.a

India-Burma Theater IV.493.1.a

Indianapolis, IN III.165.10.a

Indianapolis, IN, Air Corps Depot III.159.3.a

Indiantown Gap, PA IV.160.1.a

Indiantown Gap, PA, Military Reservation IV.160.10.a

induction stations III.112.1.a, III.112.6.a

Industrial Personnel Division IV.160.8.a

infantry IV.493.1.a, IV.498.1.a

Information, Chief of (Army Staff) IV.319.2, IV.319.11.a

Information Services, Office of (Army Air Forces) II.18.2

Inspection Branch (Surgeon General) III.112.8

Inspector General (Army), Records of the Office of the (RG 159) III.159

Institute of Race Relations (Fisk) V.330.2.a

Integrated Personnel Plan III.165.4.a

137
integration of military services. See Also segregation

air forces II.18, II.340, II.340.1.a, II.340.2.a, II.341.2.a

Defense Secretary report V.330.7.a

Army forces

assignments to white units IV.407.14.a, IV.498.7.a, IV.554.1.a 

attitudes study III.165.19.a, V.330.3.a

band IV.319.2.a

Civilian Aide III.107, III.107.1.a, III.107.10.a

experimental units III.107.10.a, III.165.17.a, IV.319.1.a, IV.319.6.a

Far East Command IV.554.2.a

Gillem Board III.107.4.a

historical monograph III.112.7.a

hospital housing III.112.8.a

Military Academy IV.407.11.a

OCS training III.107.10.a

platoon level III.107.9.a, IV.319.8.a, IV.493.1.a, IV.498.2.a

policy III.107, IV.407.3.a

Reserves III.107.11.a, IV.407.2.a

social activities IV.319.6.a

unit grouping IV.160.4.a

National Guard units III.107.11.a, III.168.1.a, III.168.2.a, IV.319.8.a, IV.407.9.a

Navy VI.80, VI.80.4.a

historical monograph II.341.2.a, V.330.3.a

opposition and resistance 

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.4.a, IV.407.7.a

Army commands IV.498.7.a

Marine Corps VI.127

Quartermaster General III.92.1.b

War Department III.107.4.a

post school desegregation IV.319.1.a, V.330.2.a

support III.107.11.a

black community III.107, III.107.1.a, III.112.6.a, III.165.9.a

March-on-Washington III.107.1.a

Randolph article V.330.7.a

Truman executive order II.340

War Department plans III.165.4.a

The Integration of the Negro into the United States Navy (Nelson) II.341.2.a, V.330.3.a

Intelligence Division (Army Service Forces) IV.160.7.a

Intelligence Division (War Department) III.165.9.a

Intelligence (G-2), Assistant Chief of Staff for IV.319.7

intelligence of Negroes III.92.1.b, III.107.1.a, V.330.3.a

Internal Security Division (Provost Marshal General) IV.389.4.a

interracial fraternization and marriage

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.4.a

Germany III.107.4.a

Great Britain III.107.11.a, III.165.6.a, IV.498.5.a

prohibition IV.407.6.a

138
Scotland IV.160.7.a

unit assignments IV.338.1.a

Ireland

U.S. African American troops III.165.17.a

Irish-African American interactions III.165.1.a

Italians IV.160.2.b

Italy

U.S. African American troops IV.407.7.a

hotel discrimination IV.492.1.a

interracial marriage IV.407.6.a

Jackson, MS IV.160.2.a, IV.160.6.a

Jacksonville, FL IV.336.1.a

Jamaica

prisoners in U.S. IV.160.5.a

Jameson, Wilson III.112.3.a

Japan

Marine Corps combat VI.127

race propaganda IV.160.10.a, IV.319.7.b, IV.407.6.a, VI.38.1.a

U.S. occupation troops IV.335.1.a, IV.407.9.a, IV.407.12.a

Japanese internees IV.319.7.a

Jefferson, IN, Quartermaster Depot App.

jim-crow. See segregation

job discrimination. See discrimination in employment

Johnson, Andrew L. III.247.2.a

Johnson, Campbell C. VI.127

Joint Army and Navy Boards and Committees, Records of (RG 225) V.225

Joint Army and Navy Committee on Welfare and Recreation V.225.1

Jones, David IV.160.10.a

Jones, Warren III.247.2.a

Judge Advocate General (Air Force) II.341.1

judge advocates III.165.1.a, III.165.5.a, IV.407.6.a, IV.498.3.a, IV.547.1.a

Justice Department, U.S. III.107.5.a

Kafertal, Germany III.165.7.a, III.165.8.a

Kaiserslautern, Germany IV.407.11.a

Kansas City, KS III.111.1.a, IV.160.8.a

Kansas City, MO IV.319.7.b

Kean, W.B. III.159.4.a

Kennedy General Hospital III.107.7.a

Kentucky State College IV.319.1.a

Kenworthy, E.W. II.341

Kessler Field, MS II.18.4.c

Knox, Frank VI.80, VI.80.2.a

Korea

U.S. African American troops IV.407.11.a

Korean War

139
24th Infantry Division IV.407.13.a

African American representation IV.407.3.a

Army Inspector General reports III.159.4.a

combat performance IV.319.11.a

health of draftees IV.407.10.a

service awards IV.407.4.a

treatment of African American troops IV.407.9.a

Ku Klux Klan IV.160.9.a

Kubie, Lawrence III.107.8.a

La Junta, CO, Army Airfield III.159.2.a

labor. See discrimination in employment

Labor Branch (Ordnance Department) III.156.1

labor disputes IV.389.4.a, IV.407.6.a 

See Also strikes

labor unions

Detroit riot response III.107.1.a

discrimination complaints III.156.1.a

lynching threat IV.160.7.a

Signal Corps dismissal case III.111.1.a

laborers II.18.3.a, III.92.1.b

Lancashire, England III.112.4.a

land-grant colleges IV.407.8.a

Langer, Mathias IV.549.1.a

Las Vegas, NV III.107.5.a, IV.407.6.a

laundry companies III.92

lawyers III.165.1.a

Le Havre, France IV.319.10.a

Lee, Ulysses G. IV.319.4.a

Legislative and Public Affairs, Assistant Secretary of Defense for V.330.8

Leicester, England IV.498.8.a

Leyte IV.407.12.a

Liberia II.18, III.92.4.a

Army hospital III.112.9.a

librarians VI.24.2.a

Lille, France III.159.2.a, IV.498.6.a

literacy and illiteracy III.107.12.a, III.165.1.a

Little, Harlee H. III.247.2.a

Little Rock, AR IV.319.2.a, IV.407.6.a

Lockbourne Air Field, OH II.341

Lockheed Aircraft Corp. V.330.1.a, V.330.6.a

Long Island, NY III.111.2.a

Los Angeles, CA III.92.2.a, IV.319.7.b, App.

Louis, Joe III.165.1.a, IV.160.9.a, VI.80.4.a

Lowe, Matthew III.247.2.a

Luzon IV.407.12.a

lynchings and threats IV.160.7.a, IV.407.7.b

140
MacArthur, Douglas

93d Infantry Division III.107.8.a, III.107.9.a, III.165.1.a

African American troops in Australia III.165.17.a

Korean War III.159.4.a

MacDill Army Air Field, FL II.18, II.18.6.a, II.18.7.a, IV.160.2.b

Magee [Surgeon General] III.112.1.a, III.112.3.a

Mail and Records Branch (Provost Marshal General) IV.389.1–IV.389.2

Mail and Records Section (Defense Secretary) V.330.3, V.330.6

Mail and Records Section (Military History Chief) IV.319.3

Manchester, England III.112.4.a, IV.498.8.a

Manila, Philippines IV.407.8.a

Manila, Philippines, Rehabilitation Center III.107.3.a, III.159.3.a

Manly, James E. IV.492.1.a

Mann, Arthur V.330.7.a

Mannheim, Germany III.107.10.a, IV.407.7.a

Manpower, Personnel and Reserve Affairs, Assistant Secretary of Defense for V.330.3–V.330.5

manpower utilization. See assignment and use of African American military personnel

March Field, CA II.18.5.a

March-on-Washington (1941) III.107.12.a, VI.80.4.a

March-on-Washington Committee III.107.1.a

Mare Island, CA, Navy Yard VI.80.2.a

Marietta, GA V.330.1.a

Marine Corps, Records of the United States (RG 127) VI.127

Marine Corps, U.S.

enlistment, use of African Americans VI.80.1.a, VI.80.3.a, VI.80.4.a, VI.127, VI.127.1.a

Navy racial policies VI.80

service statistics inquiries VI.24.2.a

Vietnam War VI.127.1.Special Note

women III.107.2.a, VI.80.4.a, VI.127

Marlborough, Duke of IV.498.8.a

marriage. See interracial fraternization and marriage

married officers III.111.2.a, III.165.8.a

Marshall, George C. III.107, III.165.17.a

Marshall, Thurgood III.107.12.a, III.159.4.a

U.S.S. Maryland VI.24.2.a

U.S.S. Mason VI.24.1.a

Maxwell Army Air Field, AL II.18, II.18.7.b, IV.160.7.a, App.

Mayfield, Spurgen J. III.247.2.a

McCloy, John J. III.107.9–III.107.10, III.165.3.a, IV.337.4.a

McClure [General] III.107.11.a

McCord, James Nance IV.160.5.a

McDonnell Aircraft Corp. V.330.6.a

McQuay-Norris Manufacturing Co. III.156.1.a, IV.160.8.a

McQuary-Norris Manufacturing Co. III.156.1.a, IV.160.8.a

Medal of Honor IV.407.4.a, IV.407.8.a

medical care. See health and medical care of African American military personnel

141
Medical Department. See Army Medical Department

medical officers and units. See Also nurses; physicians assignment III.107.14.a,

III.112.3.a–III.112.5.a, III.112.7.a, III.165.13.a

discrimination III.112.6.a, III.112.8.a

postwar planning III.112.2.a

segregation III.112

medicine. See drugs and pharmaceuticals 

Medicine and Surgery, Records of the Bureau of (RG 52) VI.52

Mediterranean Theater of Operations

African American airmen II.18, II.18.2.a

Civilian Aide tour III.165.19.a

command records IV.492.1.a–IV.492.2.a

news publishers tour IV.407.8.a

postwar troop use IV.337.2.a, IV.492.1.a

White observations IV.492.1.a 

Melpar Inc. V.330.1.a

Memorandum 600-750-26 III.111.2.a

Memphis, TN III.107.7.a, IV.389.3.a

Memphis, TN, Negro Chamber of Commerce VI.80.4.a

mental capabilities. See intelligence of African Americans

merchant seamen V.330.2.a

mess attendants VI.24.2.a, VI.80, VI.80.1.a, VI.80.4.a

mess facilities IV.160.5.a

meteorology III.107.14.a

Methodist church III.247.1.b 

See Also African Methodist Episcopal chaplains

Metuchen, NJ IV.407.6.a

Miami, FL VI.24.2.a

Middle Eastern Theater of Operations III.107.12.a, III.165.13.a, IV.492.1.a

Midland, TX, Army Air Field III.159.2.a, IV.160.1.a

Military Academy, U.S.

African American cadets, graduates IV.319.1.a, IV.407.3.a, IV.407.8.a

mess detachment integration IV.407.11.a

Military Affairs Division (Air Force Judge Advocate General) II.341.1

military awards and decorations. See Also specific awards

24th Infantry Division IV.407.13.a

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.4.a, IV.407.8.a,

Air Force II.341.2.a

Army staff list IV.319.11.a

tank unit IV.498.2.a

military bands IV.319.2.a, App. 

Military District of Washington IV.389.3.a

Military History, Office of the Chief of IV.319.3–IV.319.4

military history specialist IV.319.4.a

military housing

Air Force policies II.340.1.a

Army medical personnel III.112.3.a, III.112.8.a

142
England IV.498.5.a

ETO shortage IV.498.2.a

military intelligence

African Americans as agents IV.493.1.a

Army commands IV.338.5.a, IV.160.12.a

Army Service Forces IV.160.7.a

G-2 reports IV.319.7.a

naval intelligence VI.38.1.a

“Negro subversion” correspondence III.165.12.a

racial situation reports III.107.13.a, III.165.9.a, IV.319.7.b

training III.107.12.a

Military Intelligence Division (War Department General Staff) III.165.12, IV.319.7.a,

IV.319.8.a

military justice. See Also courts-martial

25th Infantry investigation III.159.4.a

capital punishment IV.407.2.a, IV.407.7.a

mistreatment of prisoners III.107.4.a

sentencing discrimination IV.335.1.a

War Department General, Special Staffs III.165.5.a

Military Morale Section (War Department) III.165.12.a

military occupational specialties (MOS)

Far East Command assignments IV.554.2.a

Negro performance report III.165.19.a

postwar planning IV.160.4.a

selection criteria III.165.4.a

military occupations. See occupational assignments of African American military personnel

military police 

African American officers III.165.18.a

African American units III.107.3.a, III.165.13.a, IV.389, IV.389.2.a

assignment III.107.5.a, IV.389.1.a, IV.389.2.a, IV.389.3.a

platoon-level integration IV.319.8.a

racial conflict III.159.3.a, IV.160.12.a

treatment and mistreatment of Negro troops II.18.7.a, III.107.13.a, III.165.6.a, 

IV.160.1.a, IV.160.6.a

Military Police, Corps of IV.389

military post exchanges IV.160.3.a

military posts. See Also air force bases and installations; naval bases; specific posts

Army Service Forces IV.160

Negro press tour III.165.18.a

prison use IV.160.5.a

racial situation survey III.165.1.a

schools

desegregation IV.319.1.a, IV.319.2.a, V.330.2.a

facilities survey IV.319.6.a

segregation IV.407.10.a

social activities IV.319.6.a

military reserves. See Also Army Reserves; National Guard

143
Army Ground Forces IV.337.3.a

Army Medical Corps III.112.5.a, III.112.6.a

integration III.107.11.a

Navy, Marine women VI.80.4.a

Negro officers III.165.14.a, IV.319.1.a

military training

10th Cavalry III.391.1.a

92d Infantry Division IV.407.12.b

93d Infantry Division III.107.5.a

access requests III.107.12.a

Adams study IV.407.6.a

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.2.a, IV.407.8.a

air forces II.18, II.18.4.a, II.18.4.c, II.18.5.a, II.18.7.c, III.107.12.a, III.107.14.a,

IV.407.6.b, IV.407.7.b

antiaircraft weapons III.165.1.a

for Arctic regions III.92.1.b

Army Ground Forces IV.337.2.a

Army IG correspondence III.159.2.a, III.159.3.a

Army medical personnel III.107.8.a, III.112.3.a

Army Service Forces IV.160, IV.160.4.a

Army Staff IV.319.1.a, IV.319.8.a

chaplains III.247.1.b

congressional inquiries IV.407.7.b

Far East Command schools IV.554.1.a

Marine Corps VI.127, VI.127.1.a

military government school IV.389.2.a

NAACP inquiry III.165.19.a

naval personnel IV.336.2.a, VI.24.2.a

facilities VI.80.2.a, VI.80.3.a

officers III.107.10.a, III.159

program testing V.330.4.a

racial attitudes education IV.160.3.a

readiness III.165.13.a

redeployment IV.160.1.a, IV.160.2.b

segregation II.18, III.112.6.a, VI.127

Signal Corps III.111, III.111.2.a

staff studies III.168.1.b

WAC officers III.165.10.a

War Department General, Special Staffs III.165.3.a, III.165.4.a, III.165.6.a, III.165.7.a,

III.165.8.a

World War II operations reports IV.407.14.a

military unit histories

10th Cavalry III.391.1.a

24th Infantry Division IV.407.12.a, IV.407.13.a

92d Infantry Division IV.407.12.b

Historical Division compilation IV.319.3.a

lists of African American units III.165.7.a, IV.319.1.a

144
preservation III.111.2.a

World War II operations, command reports IV.407.12, IV.407.13

militia IV.160.5.a

Miller, Dorie VI.80.1.a

Mindanao IV.407.12.a

Mindoro IV.407.12.a

mining companies III.107.7.a

Minneapolis, MN III.111.1.a

Minnesota

National Guard integration IV.407.9.a

miscegenation. See interracial fraternization and marriage

mistreatment. See treatment and mistreatment of African American military personnel

Mitchell, Anthony VI.80.1.a

Mobile, AL III.92.2.a, IV.389.4.a

mobilization III.111, III.168

mobilization regulations III.92

Montford Marine Association VI.127.1.Special Note

Montford Point Camp, NC VI.127, VI.127.1.a

Montgomery, AL III.247.1.b, IV.407.6.a

Montgomery Ward Co. IV.389.4.a

Moore, David J. III.247.2.a

Moore, Irma L. III.165.9.a

Moorish Science Temple of America VI.38.1.a

morale of African American military personnel

Army commands IV.498.7.a

Army Service Forces IV.160.1.a

chaplains III.247.1.a, III.247.1.b

Davis report IV.337.4.a

Maxwell Army Air Field II.18.7.b

military intelligence reports III.165.12.a

naval personnel IV.336.2.a

quartermaster units III.92.1.a

troop attitudes survey V.330.5.a

War Department correspondence III.107.1.a

War Department General, Special staffs III.165.7.a

welfare, recreation board V.225.1.a

Morehead City, NC IV.407.7.b

Morgan State University IV.160.10.a

MOS. See military occupational specialties

Moss, William Eben III.159.3.a

motion pictures

attitude survey V.330.5.a

postwar advising III.107.10.a

Motor Transport Brigade IV.498.8.a

Moultrie, GA III.107.12.a

murder IV.492.2.a

musicians VI.24.2.a

145
Myrdal, Gunnar V.225.1.a

NAACP. See National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Naples, Italy IV.492.1.a

narcotics investigations IV.389.2.a

Nashville, TN IV.407.7.a

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Army Inspector General records III.159.1.a

Boston branch meeting IV.160.11.a

Byers service history III.107.12.a

Columbia, TN, riot response IV.160.5.a

discrimination inquiries III.165.3.a, IV.160.5.a, IV.319.1.a

military justice inquiry III.159.4.a

military post tour IV.160.5.a

mistreatment inquiries IV.407.7.a

Navy policies protest VI.80.2.a, VI.80.3.a

racial incident inquiries III.107.2.a, III.107.12.a

segregation protests III.107.4.a, V.330.7.a

universal training inquiry III.165.19.a

War Department interaction III.107

National Broadcasting Company V.225.1.a

national cemeteries IV.407.8.a

National Council on Segregation (YMCA) V.225.1.a

National Defense Act (1916) III.168.2.a

National Defense Conference on Negro Affairs II.341.2.a, IV.319.1.a, V.330.3.a

National Guard

African American officers organization IV.319.8.a

African American units III.168

integration III.107.11.a, III.168.2.a, IV.407.9.a

manpower utilization III.165.13.a, III.168.1.b

National Guard Bureau, Records of the (RG 168) III.168

National Lawyers Guild IV.407.7.a

National Medical Association III.112, III.112.1.a, III.112.3.a, III.112.6.a

National Military Officers Association IV.319.8.a

National Negro Congress V.225.1.a

National Opinion Research Center III.107.6.a

National Urban League III.165.19.a, VI.80.2.a

National Youth Administration VI.80.4.a

Naval Academy, U.S. VI.24.2.a, VI.80.1.a

naval bases

segregation complaints V.330.7.a

Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, Records of (RG 181) App.

Naval Intelligence, Office of VI.38.1

Naval Operations, Records of the Office of the Chief of (RG 38) VI.38

naval personnel 

African Americans IV.336.2.a, VI.127

courts-martial IV.160.7.a, VI.24.2.a

Mason crew VI.24.1.a

146
Medicine and Surgery Bureau VI.52.1.a

Naval Personnel Bureau correspondence VI.24.1.a

Navy Secretary VI.80.2.a, VI.80.3.a, VI.80.4.a

reenlistment as Marines VI.127.1.a

Naval Personnel, Records of the Bureau of (RG 24) VI.24

naval ships

auxiliary vessels VI.80

Mason log VI.24.1.a

navigators III.112.6.a, III.159.3.a

Navy, Assistant Secretary of the VI.80.1.a

Navy Building VI.80.1.a

Navy Cross VI.80.1.a

Navy, General Records of the Department of the, 1798–1947 (RG 80) VI.80

Navy, Secretary of the 

Navy racial policies VI.80

records VI.80.4.a

request for chaplains III.247.1.a

Navy, U.S.

enlistment policies III.165.17.a, VI.80, VI.80.1.a

integration II.340.2.a, II.341.2.a, III.107.10.a

comments on Army plans IV.319.6.a

historical monograph V.330.3.a

Negro women III.107.2.a

navy yards VI.80.2.a

Negro Health and Hospitalization Conference III.112.1.a

Negro Health Committee III.112.3.a

Negro Health Subcommittee III.112.6.a

Negro Labor News IV.389.1.a

Negro Newspaper Publishers Association IV.319.10.a, IV.407.2.a, IV.407.8.a, IV.498.2.a

Negro press. See UNDER news media

“Negro Spindle File” VI.80.3.a

Nelson, Dennis Denmark II.341.2.a, V.330.3.a

Nelson, O.L. III.165.4

New Guinea III.165.3.a

New Jersey

National Guard integration III.168.2.a

naval intelligence reports VI.38.1.a

New Orleans, LA, Port of Embarkation IV.160.7.a

New York

National Guard integration III.168.2.a

New York Amsterdam Star-News VI.80.1.a

New York, NY

discrimination IV.407.6.a

naval intelligence reports VI.38.1.a

Newark, NJ VI.38.1.a

News Branch (War Department Special Staff) III.165.18.a

news media

147
African American correspondents IV.492.1.a, IV.492.2.a

Little Rock school desegregation IV.319.2.a

Negro press

Columbia, TN, riot reporting IV.160.5.a

editors’ conference IV.389.2.a

European post tour III.165.18.a, IV.407.8.a

FBI intelligence reports IV.319.7.b

Navy Department records VI.80.1.a, VI.80.3.a

Provost Marshal General IV.389.1.a

public opinion tracking V.330.8.a

racial incident reporting III.107.10.a

trends reports II.341.2.a, IV.160.11.a, IV.407.8.a, V.330.4.a

WAAC coverage III.165.10.a

War Department press releases III.165.18.a

Nicholson, Margueretta IV.407.6.a

noncommissioned officers IV.319.9.a

Non-Partisan Council on Public Affairs (Alpha Kappa Alpha) III.165.9.a, III.165.10.a

Norfolk, England IV.498.5.a

Norfolk Journal and Guide II.341.2.a

Norfolk, VA III.92.2.a, V.330.7.a

Norfolk, VA, Army Airbase III.159.2.a

North African Theater of Operations III.107.12.a, III.165.13.a, IV.492.1.a

North Carolina School for Negroes VI.80.4.a

Northeastern University IV.160.11.a

Northern Ireland III.165.17.a

Northport, NY, Veterans Facility III.165.1.a, IV.407.7.a

Novak, Stanley IV.160.7.a

nurses

Army use III.107.8.a, III.112, III.112.1.a, III.112.3.a, III.112.6.a, IV.407.6.a

England IV.498.7.a

hospital in Liberia III.112.9.a

discrimination allegations III.112.8.a, III.165.1.a, III.165.7.a

rail travel IV.336.1.a

employment opportunities III.107.12.a

naval personnel VI.52.1.a, VI.80.4.a

retention III.165.2.a

training III.107.8.a

occupation troops

Germany III.107.9.a, III.165.2.a, V.330.7.a

Japan IV.335.1.a, IV.407.9.a, IV.407.12.a

occupational assignments of African American military personnel. See Also military training

aerial observors II.18.3.a, III.107.12.a

antiaircraft units III.165.13.a

bomb disposal III.165.7.a

cooks and bakers III.92.3.a, III.112, VI.127, VI.127.1.a

148
chaffeurs III.112

chaplains III.107.12.a, III.165.9.a, III.165.14.a, III.247, III.247.1.b, IV.335.1.a

Civilian Aide’s help requests III.107.12.a

commando units III.165.13.a, IV.407.6.a

counterintelligence IV.493.1.a

dentists III.112, III.112.1.a, III.112.3.a, VI.52.1.a

guard duty III.107.5.a, IV.389.1.a, IV.389.3.a

hospital orderlies III.112

job satisfaction survey V.330.5.a

judge advocates III.165.1.a, III.165.5.a, IV.407.6.a, IV.498.3.a, IV.547.1.a 

laborers II.18.3.a, III.92.1.b

mess attendants VI.24.2.a, VI.80, VI.80.1.a, VI.80.4.a

military police III.165.13.a, IV.389

mobile striking force IV.319.8.a

musicians VI.24.2.a

narcotics investigation IV.389.2.a

Navy opportunities VI.24.2.a, VI.80.1.a, VI.80.4.a

Navy segregation basis VI.80

nurses III.107.8.a, III.107.12.a, III.112, III.112.1.a, III.112.3.a, III.112.6.a, III.112.9.a, 

IV.407.6.a, VI.52.1.a, VI.80.4.a

parachute units III.165.13.a, IV.407.6.a

physical fitness directors IV.160.10.a

physicians III.112, III.112.1.a, III.112.3.a, VI.52.1.a

pilots II.18, II.18.3.a, III.107.12.a

POW escorts IV.389, IV.389.3.a

psychologists III.165.7.a

quartermaster units III.92, III.165.13.a

shore patrols VI.52.1.a, App.

special service officers III.107.7.a

stewards VI.80, VI.127.1.a

transportation units IV.160.4.a

Occupational Zone of Europe, U.S. IV.407.9.a

Office Management Division (Chaplains) III.247.1

officer candidate schools 

air forces discrimination IV.498.1.a

Army Ground Forces quotas IV.337.4.a

discrimination III.165.1.a, IV.407.7.b

integration III.107.10.a

opportunities III.112.1.a

officers (African American)

air forces opportunity III.107.7.a

assignment and use

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.1.a

Army commands IV.498.8.a

Army Ground Forces IV.337.4.a

Army Medical Department III.112, III.112.3.a, III.112.4.a, III.112.5.a, III.112.7.a

Army Service Forces III.165.13.a

149
ETO IV.498.8.a

National Guard III.168

special activities III.165.15.a

Virgin Islands liaison III.165.8.a

War Department General, Special staffs III.165.1.a, III.165.7.a

War Secretary III.107.9.a

battlefield commissions IV.498.2.a

chaplains III.247

combat performance IV.319.9.a

conditions III.165.5.a

married officers III.111.2.a, III.165.8.a

military police III.165.18.a

Navy commissions VI.52.1.a, VI.80.4.a

officer candidate schools III.112.1.a

overage officers III.112.3.a

physical fitness directors IV.160.10.a

policy study IV.337.4.a

promotion III.165.5.a, III.165.7.a

92d Infantry Division III.165.3.a

Army commands IV.498.8.a

Army Ground Forces IV.337.4.a

Army Medical Department III.112.4.a, III.112.7.a

chaplains III.247.1.a

junior officers’ views III.165.3.a

policy III.107.9.a, IV.498.8.a

postwar plans IV.554.1.a

racial attacks III.111.1.a

Reserve officers III.112.5.a, III.165.14.a

retention III.165.2.a

segregated mess facilities IV.160.5.a

statistical data IV.335.1.a

“subversive” organization IV.319.8.a

WAAC list III.165.9.a

of white units IV.319.6.a

officers of African American units

Army Inspector General reports III.159.3.a, III.159.4.a

chaplains III.247

medical officers III.112, III.112.5.a

mistreatment allegations IV.160.5.a

white officers III.165.5.a

chaplains III.247, III.247.1.b

command guidance III.112.4.a, III.159.2.a, IV.492.2.a, V.330.4.a

Marine Corps VI.127

Mason crew VI.24.1.a

mistreatment of troops III.165.1.a, IV.338.1.a

professional qualities and competence III.107.5.a, III.165.3.a

rotation assignments III.159, IV.337.4.a

150
special inspection III.107.2.a

officers’ clubs III.165.3.a, IV.319.1.a

Okinawa VI.127

Oklahoma City, OK III.107.6.a

Old Town, ME IV.407.7.b

Omaha, NE IV.319.7.b

Operations (G-3), Assistant Chief of Staff for Organization and Training IV.319.8–IV.319.9

Ordnance Department III.156, III.156.1.a

Ordnance, Records of the Office of the Chief of (RG 156) III.156

ordnance units IV.407.11.a

Organization and Training Division (War Department) III.111

Organization and Training (G-3), Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for (Army Staff)

IV.319.8–IV.319.9

Organization and Training (G-3), Office of the Director of (War Department)

III.165.13–III.165.14

Organized Reserve Corps IV.337.3.a

Oscoda Field, MI III.107.8.a

Ottley, Roi V.330.4.a

overseas assignments of African American military personnel

Arctic regions III.92.1.b, III.165.15.a

Army Service Forces IV.160.4.a

Caribbean III.165.16.a, IV.407.9.a

chaplains III.247.1.a

China IV.493.1.a

Congo IV.407.6.a

ETO IV.498.1.a, IV.498.2.a, IV.498.7.a

European Command III.111.2.a, III.165.8.a

friendly territory III.165.16.a

furlough request IV.160.1.a

Germany III.165.2.a, III.165.7.a, III.165.8.a, IV.160.1.a, IV.335.1.a

Great Britain II.18.3.a, III.112.4.a, III.165.7.a, III.165.17.a, IV.498.5.a, IV.498.7.a, 

IV.498.8.a

Scotland IV.160.7.a

Guam IV.554.1.a

intelligence summaries III.107.13.a

interracial fraternization III.107.4.a, III.112.3.a, III.112.4.a, IV.160.7.a

Japan occupation IV.335.1.a, IV.407.9.a

Korea IV.407.3.a

Korean War IV.407.13.a

Liberia II.18, III.112.9.a

Mediterranean theater II.18

Pacific war areas III.107.8.a, III.165.3.a, III.165.16.a, III.165.17.a, III.247.1.a, IV.319.10.a,

IV.407.12.a

readiness III.165.13.a

publicity III.112.1.a

quartermaster units III.92

War Secretary III.107.9.a

151
World War II units III.165.7.a, IV.407.14.a

Pacific Theater of Operations III.107.8.a

Pacific war areas

24th Infantry Division IV.407.12.a 

93d Infantry Division III.107.8.a, III.107.9.a, III.165.3.a

African American troops use III.165.16.a, III.165.17.a, IV.336.1.a

chaplains III.247.1.a, III.247.1.b, IV.160.11.a

combat operations III.107.9.a

Marines VI.127

Negro enlistment strength IV.319.10.a

pack units III.92

Packard Motor Co. III.107.8.a, IV.160.9.a

Panama

racial policy study III.165.16.a

Panama Canal Zone III.107.11.a, V.330.7.a

parachute companies III.165.13.a, IV.407.6.a

Paris, France IV.498.8.a

Parks [General] III.107.11.a

paternity claims III.107.11.a, III.165.6.a

patrol duty IV.498.8.a

patrol ships VI.80

Patterson, Robert P. III.107.3, III.165.3.a

Pearl Harbor, HI, attack (1941) IV.407.12.a, VI.80.1.a, VI.80.4.a

Peleliu VI.127

Penn, Robert E. III.247.2.a

Percy, John E. III.247.2.a

Personnel and Administration (G-1), Office of the Director of (War Department)

III.165.5–III.165.11

Personnel, Director of (Army Service Forces) IV.160.8–IV.160.10

Personnel, Director of (Ordnance Department) III.156.1

Personnel Division (War Department) III.111

Personnel (G-1), Assistant Chief of Staff for IV.319.6.a

Personnel Policy Board (Defense Department) II.340, II.340.2

Personnel, Procurement, and Training, Director of the Office of (Air Force) II.341.2

Petersen, Howard III.107.11

Philadelphia, PA III.165.1.a

Philadelphia, PA, Army Signal Depot III.111.1.a

Philadelphia, PA, Navy Yard VI.80.2.a

Philadelphia Transportation Co. IV.389.4.a

Philadelphia Tribune II.341.2.a

Phoenix, AZ III.165.16.a, IV.319.7.b

Photographic Center (Signal Corps) III.111.2.a

physical fitness directors IV.160.10.a

physical fitness for military service IV.407.6.b, IV.407.7.b

physicians 

152
Army Medical Department III.112, III.112.1.a–III.112.9.a 

discrimination allegations III.165.1.a, III.165.7.a, III.165.14.a

Kubie report III.107.8.a

Navy status VI.52.1.a

racial information requests IV.407.7.b

pilots. See air force personnel and airmen; aviators and pilots

Pittsburgh Courier II.341.2.a, V.225.1.a

Pittsburgh, PA III.107.11.a

Planning Division (Army Service Forces) IV.160.4

Plans and Operations Division (Army Staff) IV.319.10

Plans and Operations, Office of the Director of (War Department) III.165.16–III.165.17

Plans and Policies Division (Marine Corps) VI.127.1.a

Pleasant, Reuben IV.407.6.a

police and law enforcement agencies. See Also Federal Bureau of Invesigation; military police

brutality reports

Aiken, SC III.107.4.a

Atlanta, GA IV.160.5.a

Columbia, TN IV.160.5.a

Hamlet, NC IV.407.6.a

Jackson, MS IV.160.2.a, IV.160.6.a

Newark, NJ VI.38.1.a

death investigation III.107.2.a

racial conflict investigation IV.160.12.a

sexual harassment III.159.3.a

treatment of African American troops II.18.7.a, III.107.13.a, IV.389.1.a, IV.407.5.a

Port Chicago, CA App.

Portsmouth, VA III.92.2.a

postwar planning

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.3.a, IV.407.8.a

Army commands IV.338.1.a, IV.492.1.a, IV.493.1.a, IV.498.2.a, IV.498.6.a, IV.554.1.a, 

IV.554.2.a, IV.547.1.a, 

Army Ground Forces IV.337.2.a

Army Inspector General III.159.2.a

Army Reserve Chief IV.319.5.a

Army Service Forces IV.160.4.a, IV.160.5.a, IV.160.6.a

Army transport IV.336.2.a

chaplains III.247.3.a

military police IV.389.3.a

Surgeon General III.112.2.a, III.112.7.a, III.112.8.a

troop attitudes survey V.330.5.a

War Department correspondence III.107.2.a, III.107.4.a, III.107.10.a

War Department General, Special Staffs III.165.2.a, III.165.5.a, III.165.6.a, III.165.11.a, 

III.165.13.a, III.165.16.a, III.165.19.a

Pottsville, PA IV.160.1.a

Powell, Adam Clayton IV.335.1.a

POWs. See prisoners of war

Prattis, P.L. V.225.1.a

153
President’s Advisory Commission on Universal Training III.168.1.b

President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services

(Fahy Committee)

Air Force integration II.340, II.340.1.a, II.341, V.330.7.a

Ft. Knox visit IV.319.8.a, IV.407.9.a

meeting transcripts II.341.2.a

President’s Committee on Fair Employment Practices. See Fair Employment Practice,

Committee on

President’s Committee on Government Contracts V.330.1.a

President’s Committee on Government Employment Policy III.92.2.a

Presidents, U.S. See Also specific presidents

correspondence IV.160.6.a, IV.407.7.a

nondiscrimination policy IV.319.7.a

war powers IV.389.4.a

press. See news media

Preston, England III.112.4.a

prison labor IV.160.8.a

prisoner of war escort companies IV.389, IV.389.3.a

Prisoner of War Operations Division (Provost Marshal General) IV.389.3

prisoners

guard escort IV.389.1.a

Ft. Leavenworth riot III.165.6.a

mistreatment of prisoners III.107.4.a, IV.160.5.a

overseas incarcerations III.107.10.a

War Department employment IV.160.8.a

prisoners of war (World War II)

camp conditions IV.498.2.a

racial conflict IV.160.2.b

treatment by white civilians III.159.2.a

Wereth massacre IV.549.1.a

Product Management, Office of (War Department) III.107.1.a

promotion. See UNDER officers (African American)

propaganda IV.160.10.a, IV.160.12.a, VI.38.1.a

Protective Mobilization Plan (1938) III.111

Protective Mobilization Plan (1940) III.77

protest demonstrations

Atlanta police IV.160.5.a

transportation segregation IV.160.12.a

bus V.330.2.a

Provost Marshal General, Records of the Office of the (RG 389) IV.389

Pruden, Joseph D. III.247.2.a

psychiatrists III.112.6.a

psychologists III.165.7.a, IV.492.2.a

Public Information, Office of (Defense Secretary) V.330.8

public opinion

OWI survey III.107.6.a, III.165.7.a, III.165.16.a 

tracking in Negro press V.330.8

154
Public Relations Division (War Department Special Staff) III.165.18.a

Public Relations Section (European Theater of Operations) IV.498.8.a

public schools. See schools

Purple Heart awards IV.498.2.a

quartermaster companies III.92, III.165.13.a

Quartermaster Corps III.111.1.a

quartermaster depots IV.160.8.a

Quartermaster General, Records of the Office of the (RG 92) III.92, App.

Quartermaster Replacement Training Center, NY IV.407.7.b

Race Relations Institute Conference on Federal Policies IV.160.9.a

racial discrimination. See discrimination allegations

racial epithets and derogatory remarks

Army ban III.92.1.a

Army officers III.159.3.a, IV.407.5.a

chaplain III.247.1.b

Gen. Somervell IV.160.1.a, IV.160.9.a

Eastland on Negro troops III.107.8.a 

racial identity determination II.340.2.a, IV.338.1.a, IV.407.8.a, VI.52.1.a

racial incidents. See Also discrimination allegations; racial violence; riots

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.4.a, IV.407.5.a, IV.407.6.a

Army commands IV.160.12.a, IV.492.2.a, IV.498.2.a, IV.498.8.a

Army Ground Forces IV.337.2.a

Army Inspector General III.159.3.a

Army Service Forces IV.160.1.a, IV.160.2.b, IV.160.7.a

Army Staff IV.319.1.a, IV.319.2.a

Army transport IV.336.2.a

Civilian Aide’s records III.107.12.a

Marine Corps history VI.127.1.Special Note

naval districts App.

naval intelligence reports VI.38.1.a

Provost Marshal General IV.389.1.a, IV.389.2.a, IV.389.3.a

War Department General, Special Staffs III.165.1.a, III.165.13.a, III.165.16.a

Racial Problems, Committee on IV.160.1.a

racial situation reports

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.6.a, IV.407.7.a, IV.407.7.b

Army commands IV.160.12.a

Army Service Forces IV.160.1.a, IV.160.5.a, IV.160.10.a

Army transport IV.336.2.a

Civilian Aide’s records III.107.13.a

distribution to chaplains III.247.1.b

Germany IV.319.11.a, IV.335.1.a

Great Britain IV.498.8.a

intelligence reports III.165.9.a, IV.160.7.a, IV.160.11.a, IV.319.7.a, IV.319.7.b, 

naval districts App.

Negro press trends surveys II.341.2.a, IV.160.11.a, IV.407.8.a, V.330.4.a

155
Provost Marshal General IV.389.1.a

Surgeon General’s records III.112.1.a, III.112.2.a

War Department General, Special Staff III.165.1.a, III.165.5.a, III.165.7.a

War Secretary III.107.3.a

racial tension prevention

Army commands IV.160.12.a

Army Service Forces IV.160

chaplains as mediators III.247, III.247.1.b, III.247.3.a

Gillem Board report III.107.9.a

Marine Corps history VI.127.1.Special Note

Provost Marshal General IV.389.1.a

troop instruction IV.160.3.a

War Secretary III.107.6.a

racial violence. See Also riots

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.6.a, IV.407.7.b

Army commands IV.492.2.a

Army depots III.111.1.a

Army Inspector General records III.159.3.a

Army Service Forces IV.160.2.a, IV.160.2.b, IV.160.6.a

Army Staff records IV.319.10.a

Civilian Aide correspondence III.107.12.a

Civilian Aide report IV.407.7.a

intelligence reports IV.319.7.a

Provost Marshal General IV.389.1.a

Signal Corps, quartermaster depots III.111.1.a

War Secretary III.107.2.a, III.107.4.a, III.107.5.a

radio programs V.225.1.a

railhead units III.92

railroad unions III.107.1.a

railroads

discrimination in accommodations IV.336.1.a

discrimination in employment IV.336.1.a

labor issues IV.389.4.a

Raleigh, NC III.107.6.a

Randolph, A. Philip IV.160.11.a, V.330.7.a, VI.80.4.a

Randolph Field, TX II.18.4.a

Ransom [Howard dean] VI.80.1.a

rape allegations IV.389.2.a, IV.389.3.a, IV.498.3.a, IV.498.8.a,

Raritan Arsenal, NJ IV.407.6.a

Ray, Marcus III.247.1.b

recreation facilities 

airfields III.159.2.a, IV.160.3.a

ETO shortage IV.498.2.a

funding IV.160.10.a

Miami center VI.24.2.a

swimming pool III.107.12.a

recreational activities

156
Army commands IV.160.12.a

Army-Navy board V.225.1.a

athletes’ participation V.330.2.a

chaplains’ activities III.247.2.a

community shortages IV.407.7.b

dances IV.160.5.a

female staff IV.547.1.a

naval personnel IV.547.1.a

on-post social activities IV.319.6.a

USO troupe lack V.330.4.a

recruiting. See Also enlistment of African American military personnel

air forces III.107.14.a

celebrity assistance III.165.1.a

chaplains III.247, III.247.1.a, III.247.1.b

discrimination suit III.107.11.a

Marine Corps VI.127

Navy VI.24.2.a, VI.80.1.a

pilots IV.407.6.b

WACs III.165.5.a, III.165.7.a

redeployment III.247.2.a, IV.160.1.a, IV.160.2.b, IV.160.6.a

reenlistment. See enlistment of African American military personnel

Regular Army

Army Ground Forces IV.337.1.a

chaplains III.247

interwar strength III.168

Regular Army Mobile Units, 1821–1942, Records of the United States (RG 391) III.391

Reilly, John IV.338.1.a

reinforcement troops

92d Infantry Division IV.407.12.b

air units II.340

Alaska command IV.547.1.a

ETO IV.498.1.a

War Department staff III.165.16.a

religious discrimination III.111.1.a, IV.319.7.a

religious services

Army Service Forces IV.160.5.a

chaplains III.247.1.b, III.247.2.a, III.247.3.a

remains repatriation III.165.11.a

Reorganization Bill (1866) III.391.1.a

Republican National Committee V.330.2.a

Research Branch (Special Service Division) III.112.6.a

Research Division (Defense Secretary) V.330.5.a

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) IV.319.1.a, IV.407.8.a

restaurants

railroads IV.336.1.a

segregated cafeteria IV.160.7.a

Reynolds Metals Co. V.330.6.a

157
Rice, C. W. IV.389.1.a

Richmond, VA, Army Depot IV.160.8.a

riots. See Also Detroit, MI, riot (1943)

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.7.a

airfield investigations II.18.5.a

Columbia, TN IV.160.5.a

Columbus, GA IV.319.1.a

Ft. Leavenworth prison III.165.6.a

Houston troop insurrection IV.407.10.a

intelligence summaries III.107.13.a, III.165.12.a

Phoenix, AZ III.165.16.a

Provost Marshal General IV.389.4.a

post-World War I list IV.389.3.a

San Diego, CA IV.389.2.a

suppression advice VI.80.4.a

Washington, DC, 1919 IV.389.3.a

Robeson, Eslanda Goode IV.160.7.a

Robeson, Paul VI.38.1.a

Robinson, Jackie V.330.7.a

Roll, George A. VI.127.1.a

Roman Catholic chaplains III.247.2.a, III.247.3.a

Roosevelt, Eleanor III.112.3.a, III.165.1.a, III.165.9.a, IV.389.2.a, VI.80.4.a

Roosevelt, Franklin D.

correspondence VI.80.1.a, VI.80.2.a

Hastie appointment III.107

Somervell controversy IV.160.9.a

ROTC. See Reserve Officer Training Corps

Rothenburg, Germany IV.498.2.a

Saint Paul’s College IV.160.10.a

Saipan VI.127

Salt Lake City, UT IV.319.7.b, IV.389.4.a

salvage units III.92

San Diego, CA IV.389.2.a

San Francisco, CA IV.160.7.a

San Juan Hill, Puerto Rico III.391.1.a

sanitary companies III.112, III.112.3.a, III.112.4.a

Sarangani Bay IV.407.12.a

Sault Ste. Marie, MI IV.407.7.b

School of Military Government IV.389.2.a

schools

aviation education II.18.4.c

inspection tour IV.337.4.a

Little Rock desegregation AR IV.319.2.a

military posts

desegregation IV.319.1.a, IV.319.2.a, V.330.2.a

158
facilities survey IV.319.6.a

segregation IV.407.10.a

Scotland

interracial fraternization IV.160.7.a

Seals, Nelson M. IV.160.2.a

Seattle, WA IV.160.10.a, IV.389.3.a

sedition. See subversive activities

segregation. See Also integration

Air Force housing II.340.1.a

Army Ground Forces IV.337.2.a

Army policies III.107, III.165.6.a, IV.407.8.a, V.330.7.a

Gillem Board report III.165.2.a

inquiries IV.335.1.a

opposition III.107.11.a, III.112.6.a, III.159.2.a, III.165.10.a

blood plasma III.107.2.a, III.107.5.a, VI.52.1.a, VI.80.4.a

bus transportation III.107.7.a, III.107.13.a, IV.160.12.a, V.330.2.a, VI.80.1.a

cafeteria IV.160.7.a

cavalry regiments III.391

chaplains’ duties III.247.1.b

Civilian Aide’s report III.107.1.a

congressional bill to prohibit III.107.4.a

dances IV.160.5.a

draftees III.107.4.a, IV.407.3.a

Engineer units III.77

Great Britain IV.498.5.a

hospital patients III.107.7.a, III.112.5.a, III.112.7.a, IV.160.5.a

induction center interviews III.112.6.a

Marine boot camp VI.127, VI.127

medical companies III.112, III.112.5.a, III.112.6.a

military police units IV.389

military post schools IV.407.10.a

National Guard policies III.168, III.168.2.a

naval base complaints V.330.7.a

Navy policies VI.80

officers’ mess IV.160.5.a

ordnance companies III.156

quartermaster units III.92

Randolph speech, correspondence IV.160.11.a, V.330.7.a

religious services III.247.3.a

Soldiers’ Home IV.335.1.a

transportation IV.319.10.a

Transportation Corps IV.336.1.a

troop instruction IV.160.3.a

Women’s Army Corps III.165.9.a, III.165.10.a

World War II air forces II.18, II.340, III.107.14.a, III.112.6.a

seized industries IV.389.4.a

Selective Service System III.112.6.a

159
Selective Training and Service Act (1940) II.18

Selfridge, MI, Airfield II.18.5.a, III.107.8.a, IV.407.6.a

Senate, U.S.

Eisenhower committee statement IV.335.1.a, V.330.4.a

investigations III.165.2.a

Serchio Valley IV.407.12.b

Service Commands, Deputy Chief of Staff for (Army Service Forces) IV.160.2

Service, Supply and Procurement (G-4), Office of the Director of (War Department)

III.165.15

sexual harassment III.159.3.a, IV.160.7.a

Shaw University IV.160.10.a

Shell Oil Co. V.330.6.a

ship logs VI.24.1

shipbuilding VI.80.2.a

“Shipp Memorial Trophy” III.391.1.a

Shipp, William Ewen III.391.1.a

shipwrecks IV.336.1.a

shipyards III.107.8.a

shore patrols VI.52.1.a, App.

Sierra Ordnance Depot, CA IV.160.2.b

Signal Corps III.111

African American service III.111.1–III.111.2

defense contractors IV.160.8.a

Signal Corps Photographic Center III.111.2.a

Signal Corps Photography School IV.407.11.a

Signal Officer, Records of the Office of the Chief (RG 111) III.111

Silver Star awards IV.319.11.a, IV.498.2.a

Sioux Falls, SD [airfield] II.18.5.a, IV.160.10.a

Skelton, MO IV.407.7.b

Smith, Daniel L. III.247.2.a

Smith, Robert J. III.247.2.a

Smith, William Bedell IV.498.2.a

Smithfield, OH IV.160.1.a

social activities IV.319.6.a

social conditions and problems. See Also racial situation reports

Army role IV.389.2.a

command implications IV.498.3.a

racial inharmony IV.492.2.a

Soldiers’ Home IV.335.1.a

Soldier’s Medal IV.319.11.a

Somerset, England IV.498.5.a

Somervell [General] IV.160.1.a, IV.160.9.a

South Pacific area III.165.16.a

southern military posts III.159.2.a, III.165.7.a, IV.160.3.a, IV.407.7.b, IV.407.10.a

Southwest Pacific area III.165.17.a, IV.160.11.a

160
Spanish-American War III.391.1.a

Spanish-American War veterans VI.24.2.a

Sparrows Point, MD III.107.8.a

Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy VI.80, VI.80.1.a

Special Planning Division (War Department) III.165.19

Special Service Division III.112.6.a

Special Service officers III.107.7.a, IV.160.2.b

Special Services Branch IV.407.5.a

Special Services Division (Army Service Forces) IV.160.10.a

Speir, Frank IV.160.4.a

Spencer, Chauncey IV.160.9.a

Spokane, WA II.18.4.a, III.165.1.a, IV.407.8.a

St. Louis, MO III.92.2.a, III.111.1.a, IV.160.8.a

St. Paul, MN IV.319.7.b

stamps VI.80.4.a

Stapleton, NY IV.160.2.b

Starkville, MS IV.338.1.a

State highway patrolmen III.107.5.a, IV.160.5.a

State laws III.168.2.a

State prison labor IV.160.8.a

Staten Island, NY IV.160.2.b

Steele, Julian D. IV.160.11.a

sterilization units (quartermaster companies) III.92

Stevenson, Adlai E. VI.80.4.a

stewards VI.80, VI.127.1.a

Stimson, Henry L.

correspondence III.107.1.a, IV.160.10.a

Hastie appointment III.107

use of Negro doctors III.112.1.a

Stockton, CA [airfield] II.18.5.a

strikes 

defense plant seizures IV.389.4.a

Firestone plant IV.389.3.a

Goodyear plant IV.160.7.a

Packard Motor Co. III.107.8.a, 

A Study of the Negro in Military Service (Byers) II.340.1.a, II.340.2.a, IV.319.6.a, V.330.3.a

Styer [General] III.165.9.a

subversive activities

Army Service Forces IV.160.2.a

Army Staff records IV.319.10.a

intelligence summaries III.107.13.a, III.165.12.a, IV.319.7.a, IV.319.7.b

Japanese racial propaganda IV.160.10.a

naval intelligence reports VI.38.1.a

Provost Marshal General IV.389.1.a

Suffolk, England IV.498.5.a

161
sulfonamide prophylaxis VI.52.1.a

Supply and Logistics, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for V.330.1, V.330.6

Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers IV.554.1–IV.554.2

Surgeon General (Army), Records of the Office of the (RG 112) III.112

surgeons III.165.14.a

Survey Division (War Information Office) III.165.7.a

swimming pools III.107.12.a

Tampa, FL II.18.7.a

tank arsenals IV.160.7.a

tank battalions IV.407.12.b, IV.498.2.a,

Tarpley, Bayard IV.160.5.a

Taylor, Timothy IV.160.1.a

teachers III.107.12.a

Technical Electronics Corp. V.330.1.a

Texas City, TX IV.319.7.a

Third U.S. Army IV.338.1.a

Thompson, Albert A. III.247.2.a

Tokyo, Japan IV.335.1.a, IV.407.9.a

training. See military training

transportation. See Also bus transportation; railroads

discrimination III.107.7.a, IV.160.1.a, IV.336.1.a

segregation protests IV.160.12.a

Transportation, Records of the Office of the Chief of (RG 336) IV.336

Treadwell Co. IV.160.8.a

Treasury Department, U.S. VI.80.1.a

treatment and mistreatment of African American military personnel. See Also discrimination

allegations; racial incidents; racial violence

Adjutant General’s Office IV.407.2.a, IV.407.3.a, IV.407.6.a, IV.407.7.a, IV.407.9.a

92d Infantry Division IV.407.12.b

congressional inquiries IV.407.7.b

Army commands IV.338.1.a, IV.498.5.a, IV.498.7.a, IV.554.1.a

Army Ground Forces IV.337.4.a

Army Inspector General records III.159, III.159.1.a, III.159.2.a

Army Service Forces IV.160, IV.160.10.a

Army Staff IV.319.1.a, IV.319.6.a

Defense Secretary V.330.7.a

Medical Department III.112.4.a

military intelligence reports III.165.12.a

Navy VI.24.2.a

quartermaster companies III.92.1.a

Signal Corps III.111

troop attitudes survey V.330.5.a

WACs III.165.9.a

War Department correspondence III.107.3.a, III.107.5.a, III.107.10.a

Civilian Aide III.107.12.a

162
War Department General, Special staffs III.165.1.a, III.165.2.a, III.165.5.a, III.165.6.a, 

III.165.7.a, III.165.14.a

truck companies III.77, III.92

Truman, Harry S.

armed services integration II.340, III.92.3.a, V.330.7.a

Gibson report III.165.19.a

nondiscrimination policy III.165.15.a

Tuscaloosa, AL IV.160.5.a

“Tuskegee Airmen” II.18

Tuskegee Airmen Association III.107.14.a

Tuskegee, AL, Army Air Field

construction bid III.77.1.a

facilities IV.160.3.a, IV.407.7.b

pilot training II.18, II.18.4.b, II.18.7.c, III.107.5.a

Tuskegee Institute II.18, II.18.7.c, III.107.14.a

U.S. Cartridge Co. III.107.8.a, III.156.1.a

U.S. Rubber Co. III.156.1.a

unemployment of demobilized personnel IV.389.3.a

United Kingdom. See Great Britain

United Nations Command IV.554.1.a

United Negro Veterans IV.160.5.a

Universal Military Training Program III.165.19.a

University of Denver III.107.6.a

University of Virginia IV.389.2.a

Urban League III.107

USO activities IV.160.10.a, V.330.4.a

utilization. See assignment and use of African American military personnel

Vaughn, A.N. III.112.3.a

venereal disease control V.330.4.a, VI.52.1.a

Verdun, France IV.407.5.a

veterans. See Also World War II veterans

G-1 correspondence III.165.6.a

Naval Personnel Bureau VI.24.2.a

protest demonstration IV.160.5.a

veterans hospitals IV.160.11.a, IV.407.7.a

“Victor Two” study III.165.17.a

“Victory Division” IV.407.12.a

Vietnam War

Marine Corps history VI.127.1.Special Note

Virgin Islands

military liaison III.165.8.a

Virginia State University IV.160.10.a

Virginia Union University IV.160.10.a

163
WAAC. See Women’s Army Corps

WAC. See Women’s Army Corps

Walker, Addison VI.80, VI.80.1.a, VI.80.2–VI.80.3

Walker, Henry W.B. III.247.2.a

Walla Walla, WA II.341.1.a

Walla Walla, WA, Army Air Field IV.407.7.a

Walnut Ridge Army Air Field III.107.14.a

Walterboro, SC III.107.13.a

Walterboro, SC, Army Air Field III.107.13.a, IV.389.3.a

War, Assistant Secretary of III.107.9–III.107.13, III.165.3.a, IV.319.4.a, IV.337.4.a

war savings bonds III.165.10.a, VI.80.1.a

war correspondents IV.492.1.a–IV.492.2.a

war crimes

Wereth massacre IV.549.1.a

War Crimes Branch (U.S. Army, Europe) IV.549.1.a

War Department, U.S.

civil rights policies IV.407.2.a

Civilian Aide’s position III.77.1.a, III.107

civilian correspondence IV.160.2.a

civilian employees III.107.4.a, IV.160.8.a, IV.498.4.a

nondiscrimination IV.160.9.a

prison labor IV.160.8.a

contractor nondiscrimination IV.160.9.a, IV.336.1.a

discrimination

Army Medical Corps III.107.7.a

military police battalions IV.389

Panama Canal Zone III.107.11.a

Transportation Corps IV.160.4.a

expectations of African American personnel IV.337.4.a

industrial plant seizures IV.389.4.a

integration opposition III.107.4.a, III.159.2.a

integration plans

Fisk conference IV.160.9.a

G-1 III.165.4.a

Negro editors’ conference IV.389.2.a

press releases III.165.18.a

racial tension prevention III.107.6.a

racial enlistment policies III.77.1.a, III.107.11.a

Army Air Forces II.18

Gillem Board recommendations III.107.3.a, III.107.4.a

proportional ratios III.92, III.107.3.a, III.111

radio program V.225.1.a

segregated Army units III.77, III.168, IV.389

White wartime observations IV.492.1.a

War Department Circular 124 III.111.2.a, IV.160.5.a, IV.554.1.a–IV.554.2.a

War Department General and Special Staffs, Records of (RG 165) III.165

War Labor Disputes Act IV.389.4.a

164
War Information, Office of III.107.6.a, III.107.8.a, III.165.7.a, III.165.16.a

War Manpower Commission IV.160.8.a

War Plans Division (War Department) III.111

War Production Centers IV.319.7.a

War, Records of the Office of the Secretary of (RG 107) III.107

War, Secretary of 

defense plant seizures IV.389.4.a

request for chaplains III.247.1.a

War, Under Secretary of III.107.5–III.107.8, III.165.3.a

Warren Township, MI IV.160.7.a

Washington Afro-American II.341.2.a

Washington, Charles IV.389.1.a

Washington, DC

assignment of African Americans III.92.2.a

bus segregation III.107.7.a, VI.80.1.a

military police needs IV.389.3.a

race riot, 1919 IV.389.3.a

Robeson lecture IV.160.7.a

Washington, DC, Navy Yard VI.80.2.a

water supply battalions III.77

Watkins, Charles T. III.247.2.a

Watson Committee VI.80.1.a

Watson, Harry E. III.159.3.a

WAVES III.107.2.a, VI.24.2.a, VI.52.1.a, VI.80

Webb, James S. III.247.2.a

Welfare and Recreation, Joint Army and Navy Committee on V.225.1

Wereth, Belgium IV.549.1.a

Wesley, John R. III.247.2.a

West, Harriet M. III.165.10.a

West Indies III.165.16.a

West Roxbury, MA, Veterans Hospital IV.160.11.a

Western Cartridge Co. III.107.8.a

Western Electric Co. IV.389.4.a

Westover Field, MA II.18.5.a, II.18.6.a

White, Kenneth III.247.2.a

White, Walter

76th Coast Artillery inquiry III.165.1.a

93d Infantry report III.107.2.a, III.165.3.a

Africa, Mideast theaters report III.165.13.a, IV.492.1.a

Army-Navy welfare board V.225.1.a

Byers’s history III.107.12.a

Columbia, TN, riot IV.160.5.a

Detroit riot report IV.407.7.a

discrimination inquiries III.107.12.a, IV.319.1.a

ETO report III.107.8.a, III.107.12.a

inquiry re son III.107.4.a

Knox comments VI.80.4.a

165
MacArthur interview III.165.1.a

military justice inquiry III.159.4.a

White, Walter S. III.247.2.a 

Williams, Albert R. III.247.2.a

Williams, George W. III.247.2.a

Wilson, J. C. Jr. IV.160.5.a

Wilson, Louis IV.407.10.a

wiretapping IV.160.5.a

women. See Also interracial fraternization and marriage; Women’s Army Corps

cafeteria segregation IV.160.7.a

Marine Corps enlistment III.107.2.a, VI.80.4.a, VI.127, VI.127.1.a

Navy personnel

discrimination VI.52.1.a

reserves VI.80.4.a

WAVES policy III.107.2.a, VI.24.2.a, VI.80

rape allegations IV.389.2.a, IV.389.3.a, IV.498.3.a,

prevention IV.498.8.a

recreational staff IV.547.1.a

Signal Corps employee III.111.1.a

Women’s Armed Services Integration Act (1948) VI.127

Women’s Army [Auxiliary] Corps 

assignment III.165.9.a, III.165.10.a, IV.407.7.a

Gardiner Hospital IV.407.7.a

black-white interaction III.165.7.a

discrimination III.107.12.a, III.165, III.165.1.a, IV.407.6.a

racial incident III.107.13.a

racial violence IV.407.6.a

courts-martial IV.407.7.a

Director’s records III.165.9–III.165.11

discipline III.165.10.a

Ft. Devens II.341.2.a, III.165.10.a, IV.407.7.a

historical background III.165.10.a

housing IV.160.2.b, IV.160.6.a

officers list III.165.9.a

recruitment III.165.5.a, III.165.7.a

admission requirements III.165.9.a

repatriated remains III.165.11.a

treatment of personnel III.165.9.a, III.165.10.a

Women’s Navy Reserve VI.80.4.a

Woods, Samuel A., Jr. VI.127

World War I

African American military personnel

air forces II.18.3.a

Medal of Honor awards IV.407.8.a

troop casualties IV.319.11.a

military intelligence reports III.165.12.a

World War I veterans VI.24.2.a

166
World War II

African American civilians

attitudes VI.319.7.a, V.225.1.a, VI.80.3.a

propaganda IV.160.10.a, IV.319.7.a, IV.319.7.b, VI.38.1.a

war work III.107.7.a, III.107.7.b, IV.160.1.a

African American military personnel

air forces II.18, II.18.1, II.18.2.a, II.340, IV.492.2.a

casualties IV.319.11.a

chaplains III.247, IV.335.1.a

combat operations reports II.18.1, IV.407.12, IV.407.14.a

combat soldier fact sheet IV.319.11.a

equality objective IV.160.3.a

Europe III.107.4.a, III.107.8.a, III.107.10.a, III.107.12.a, IV.407.2.a, IV.498.1–IV.498.8

experimental film V.330.5.a

health of inductees IV.407.10.a

heroes and awards IV.319.11.a, IV.407.8.a, IV.498.2.a, VI.80.1.a

history (Byers) II.340.1.a, II.340.2.a, IV.319.6.a, V.330.3.a

list of Negro units III.165.7.a

medical personnel III.112

military police units IV.389

Navy, Marine personnel VI.80, VI.127

North African/Mediterranean theaters III.107.12.a, III.165.13.a

opinion survey III.107.6.a, III.165.7.a, III.165.16.a 

Pacific areas III.107.8.a, III.107.9.a, III.165.3.a, III.165.16.a, III.165.17.a, IV.407.12.a, VI.127

POW massacre IV.549.1.a

press coverage IV.492.2.a

quartermaster units III.92

repatriated remains III.165.11.a

statistics inquiries V.330.7.a

training IV.407.2.a

use III.107.9.a, IV.335.1.a, IV.407.4.a

defense plant seizures IV.389.4.a

World War II veterans

demobilization problems III.165.6.a

terminal pay III.107.11.a

treatment in Japan IV.407.9.a

Wright Field, OH III.159.2.a, IV.160.9.a

Wright, Giles R. III.247.2.a

Wynne, Otis J. III.247.2.a

Young, Charles D. III.92.4.a

Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) V.225.1.a

Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) IV.407.7.b 

167