[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 65 (Monday, May 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          CONGRESSMAN KILDEE HONORS AFRICAN-AMERICAN VETERANS

                                 ______


                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 1994

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to 
veterans of all wars and to give special recognition to African-
American veterans. On Saturday, May 21, 1994 a banquet was held in my 
hometown of Flint, MI honoring African-American veterans of all wars. 
The banquet afforded me the opportunity to reflect upon the often 
forgotten history of African-Americans in the U.S. military.
  The United States owes its African-American veterans a debt it can 
never repay. Indeed, the Revolutionary War, out of which our great 
Nation was born, included significant contributions from African-
American patriots such as Crispus Attucks. They fought and died 
defending the civil rights described in the U.S. Constitution before 
they were allowed to enjoy these rights themselves.
  During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln created the Bureau of 
Colored Troops [USCT], partially opening the door for African-American 
males to enjoy the security and recognition of a career in the 
military. African-Americans such as Monroe Trotter and Harriet Tubman 
helped the Union Army achieve final victory, keeping the Nation 
together.
  When duty called again in 1898, African-Americans volunteered to 
fight in the Spanish American War. The road to victory is never easy 
and these brave soldiers endured many hardships as they defended 
democracy in the jungles of Cuba. Nevertheless by the end of the war, 
seven African-Americans had been awarded the Medal of Honor, including 
Pvt. T.C. Butler of the 25th Infantry and Sgt. Maj. Edward L. Baker of 
the 10th Calvary.
  At the beginning of World War I there were 20,000 African-Americans 
in uniform. The six regiments created during the Civil War had been 
reduced to four regiments augmented by Army National Guard units. These 
regiments were brought to full strength for the war, doubling their 
size. In addition, over 350,000 African-Americans were drafted.
  African-American units fought bravely during the war, earning 
numerous awards, recognitions, and citations. An African-American 
National Guard unit from the District of Columbia was picked by 
President Woodrow Wilson to guard the strategic sites around our 
Nation's Capitol. Henry Johnson of the American 369th Regiment, then 
attached to the French Army, became the first American of any race to 
be awarded the French Croix de Guerre.
  During World War II, greater numbers of African-Americans were able 
to participate in the war effort. Their acts of valor began with the 
infamous attack on Pearl Harbor, when Navy messman Doris Miller braved 
strafing enemy planes to remove his mortally wounded captain from a 
sinking ship, then manned the machine gun on the water covered deck 
firing relentlessly at the Japanese aircraft. The Tuskegee Airmen 
proved to the world that African-Americans could fly in combat with the 
best pilots of any nation. Almost 100 of these airmen received the 
Distinguished Flying Cross.
  Shortly before the beginning of the Korean war, the Fahy Committee 
laid the groundwork for the total integration of the U.S. Armed Forces. 
By the end of the war, the American military was completely integrated. 
Again, African-Americans such as Tuskegee Airman, Col.--later General--
Chappie James distinguished themselves, earning numerous awards and 
decorations.
  During the 20-year Vietnam war a total of 275,827 African-Americans 
served in the Armed Forces. Of this number, 41,770 served in Vietnam 
and 5,570 were killed in action. Though racial strife had not been 
completely eliminated, the Vietnam war was fought with the most 
integrated force ever fielded by the United States. Thirteen percent of 
the combat infantry force was comprised of African-Americans. By the 
end of the war, 20 African-American service members had been awarded 
this Nation's highest award, the Medal of Honor. More than 60 African-
Americans were commissioned as officers and two of these officers 
achieved the rank of general officer, Daniel ``Chappie'' James and 
Rosco Robinson, Jr.
  Since the Vietnam war, the military has worked hard to promote racial 
harmony and today African-Americans work and compete with their 
counterparts of other races. They continue to serve this country 
faithfully whenever conflicts arise, from Panama to Operation Desert 
Storm. In fact, Operation Desert Storm was fought under the command of 
the first African-American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. 
Colin Powell.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my fellow Members of the 103d Congress to 
join with me in recognizing the long and honored history of the 
African-American veterans. Their sacrifices helped America grow from a 
struggling colony into the great Nation that is leading this planet 
toward true freedom and democracy for all individuals.

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