Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-23
Kennedy Asks
ki|itaryto
In Bias Battle
BY RICHARD FRYKLUND
Star Staff Writer

star star WRITER
President Kennedy has asked
the armed forces Ito take a
leadership role" in ending dis
elimination against Negro SOL
diers on military bases and in
adjacent communities.
This new integration drive is
based on a study and recon-
mendations made by the Presi-
dents Committee on Equal OPP
portunity in the Armed Services
and made public yesterday.
The Presidents comments
and the report itself indicate
that recent racial turmoil has
made this a top-priority pro-
gram for the Defense Depart
ment.
The main target is discri-
mination against Negro soldiers
who must live, eat or take
their recreation off the base.
The report stresses that
Substantial progress toward
equality of treatment and OPP
portunity" has been made
within the armed services since
President Truman ordered de-
segration in 1948.
PentagOn Gets Report
But the remaining on-base
discrimination and off = base
discrimination Great "a serious
morale problem" according to
the report.
The Pentagon was given 80
days to digest the report and
comment on 1t.
I'VE have come a long way
in the is years since President
Truman ordered the desegrega-
ton of the armed forces"
President Kennedy said in a
letter sent to Secretary Of De-
tense Mcnamara. 1.-THE military
services lead almost every other
segment Of our society in es-
tablishing equality Of oppor-
tunity for all Americans.
Yet a great deal remains
to be done. AS the report en-
phasizes, a serious morale
problem is created for Negro
military personnel when vari-
Gus forms of segregation and
discrimination exist in COM
munities neighboring military
bases.
Discriminatory practices are
morally wrong wherever they
occur-they are especially in
equitable and iniquitous when
they inconvenience and embar-
rass those serving in the armed
services and their families -"
Explicit Acts Asked
Here are some of the re-
ports recommendations for
ending off-base discrimination
by civilian communities:
Base commanders should be
given more explicit orders and
more detailed directives" to 1p-
pose off-base discrimination.
The Pentagon should moni-
tor the progress Of the local
commanders efforts, and his
initiative and achievement"
should affect his future pro-
motions.
Commanders should sponsor
interracial committees of mill
tay people and local civilians.
Legal action should be
brought against public places
that discriminate against Ne
gro soldiers.
Segregated public facilities
should be declared off limits"
TO all soldiers.
Makes Recommendations
Some discrimination continues
within the services, according
TO the report. To end this. the
committee recommends, among
other things:
More Negroes should be re-
cruited into the services.
Efforts should be made to
steer them out of the tradition
al servant" roles and into all
kinds of special and technical
careers.
Promotion boards should not
be told the race of the men
under judgment for promo
tons.
Segregated public transpor-
alton should not be allowed
on base.
The committee was appoint
ed a year ago. Its chairman
is Gerhard A. Gesell, a Wash
ington attorney.