The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-02-14

IeDuHS anu lISults uul ING MS tl4HI
few years in the big northern city.
Determined 10 Help His People
Final. y-aANnnan-n The majority
group offered him partial solution
to his problem, They had both been
on the same bus and she had evil
IDENTIFY mistaken him for an old
acquaintance. II she could do this,
then Louis Edwards knew that
henceforth there was only one color
in the world and that he'd belong
10 it.
The very same evening Louis
Edwards moved his belongings from
the east side OF town 10 the more
exclusive and restricted residential
west sioe ettAe city II vas easy
enough for him to accomplish this
as color was his great advantage.
the open sesame to anything that
he'd like 10 undertake.
| For many years after this Louis
Edwards busted himself by taxing
advantage OF all those things en-
joyed by the majority group. How
ever complete this transition was
Louis Edwards always kept in in
direct contact with the Negroes OF
the city Whenever it was con-
venient, he attended their large
church and political meetings and
he religiouslv read their week y
newspapers. For deep down in mis-
heart, he was preparing 10 someday
test The traditions, customs ami
preiudices which barred persons Of
color in many fields OF endeavor
Remember Pearl Harbor"
II vas several weeks after the
Pearl Harbor incident OF December
Z 7s7l94i and when the nation was
singing: Remember Pearl Harbor'
and the urgent call for volunteers
for the U. S Marines had been
issued that Louis Edwards al last
knew the tune had come for him
to make his contribution to his
people
HE'D read in the Negro pres. how
men OF color had been denied ac-
eep;ance in various branches OF the
nations armed forces, OF how Ne
groes could never rise above mess
! attendants in the navy. and in spite
Of Joe Louis contribution to the
navy. Louis Edwards had also read
Of how Negro blood was unwsnted
by those accepting blood for the
wounded soldiers
All OF these things, age ol1
preiudices and southern traditions,
only made Louis Edwards more re-
solved 10 do his part towards lower
ing racial barriers OF all the
minority groups
Fights TO Set Precedent
Realizing that il precedent has
been set, a Judge vine Their it be one
man or group Of men is more
apt 70 be more far and impartial
fin their judgement, Edwards was
determined to make his life a pre-
cedent for the future OF the powers
that be.
On his behavior. his conduct and
/ his response to the call OF duty. de-
pended the future OF his people. II
his efforts we're successful. then
he'd have set a precedent Tor the
white group 10 Judge other groups
oy n the future,
This was the reason Lieutenant
Louis Edwards was both part and
yet not a part OF the troops fighting
to stem the japanese tide on the
small island defense position. This
was also the reason Lieutenant Ed
wards now stood in the fox hole,
where he and his white fellow
officers had been beaten back BY
a merciless wave OF japanese SOL
diers few short hours ago.
Jap Bombers Attack Troops
Suddenly and without warn ng. a
wave OF Jap bombers shook the air
and shrieked through the sky over
/ head in ever Increasing numbers
At the same moment a rain Of lea !
death stormed down upon the from,
/ line trench where the American
soldiers lowered together waiting
for the signal 10 resist the enemy 10
be gwen by their commanding
officer.
Soldier Volunteers for Action"
A superior officer rushed up 10
the three officers saving: ~ wan,
one man TO seek and wipe out that
machine gun nest 30 yards of "a
our right want the others 10 cover
his advance and retreat"
Without a moments hesitation
Lieutenant Louis Edwards said
Send me. sir"
Perhaps he knew that this was
the supreme moment Of his life
That time OF glorious opportunity
both for himself and for his people
It would be now that he'd set the
precedent for others 10 follow
Destroys Enemy Machine Gun Nest
Records show that Lieutenant
Louis Edwards wiped out thai
machine gun nest But the army
also knows that the brave soldier
did not return 10 his company. He