Glossary
6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion
An all-Black, all-female U.S. Army unit that served in Europe during World War II, responsible for efficiently sorting and delivering mail to American service members.
Example:
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion demonstrated the vital contributions of Black women to the war effort, successfully clearing a massive mail backlog and boosting troop morale.
761st Tank Battalion ("Black Panthers")
An all-Black tank battalion that fought in France and Germany during World War II, known for its bravery and effectiveness in combat.
Example:
General Patton famously praised the 761st Tank Battalion ("Black Panthers") for their exceptional performance in combat, showcasing the valor of Black soldiers on the European front.
92nd Infantry Division ("Buffalo Soldiers")
An all-Black infantry division of the U.S. Army that served with distinction in Italy during World War II.
Example:
The 92nd Infantry Division ("Buffalo Soldiers") demonstrated immense courage fighting in Italy, proving their capabilities despite facing racial prejudice within the military.
Benjamin O. Davis Jr.
A prominent leader of the Tuskegee Airmen and the first African American general in the U.S. Air Force, who played a crucial role in the desegregation of the military.
Example:
As a key commander of the Tuskegee Airmen, Benjamin O. Davis Jr. exemplified leadership and helped pave the way for greater racial equality within the armed forces.
Charles Thomas
An African American soldier who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor during World War II, highlighting the sacrifices and bravery of Black service members.
Example:
The posthumous Medal of Honor awarded to Charles Thomas recognized his incredible bravery and leadership in combat, underscoring the significant contributions of African American soldiers.
Dorie Miller
An African American messman in the U.S. Navy who displayed extraordinary bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor, becoming one of the first Black heroes of WWII.
Example:
Dorie Miller's heroic actions at Pearl Harbor, where he manned an anti-aircraft gun despite not being trained for combat, earned him the Navy Cross and became a symbol of Black courage.
Double V Campaign
A wartime initiative launched by the Pittsburgh Courier that called for a dual victory: against fascism overseas and against racism and discrimination at home.
Example:
The Double V Campaign became a powerful rallying cry for African Americans, linking their patriotic service in WWII to their demand for full citizenship rights in the United States.
G.I. Bill of 1944 (Servicemen's Readjustment Act)
Federal legislation enacted in 1944 to provide a range of benefits to returning World War II veterans, including funds for education, housing, and business loans.
Example:
While the G.I. Bill of 1944 promised widespread opportunities for veterans, its discriminatory local implementation severely limited access for African American service members.
James G. Thompson
The author of a pivotal letter to the Pittsburgh Courier in 1942, which proposed the "Double V" concept and sparked the Double V Campaign.
Example:
James G. Thompson's powerful letter articulated the frustration of fighting for democracy abroad while facing racism at home, igniting a national movement for civil rights.
Major Charity Adams
The commanding officer of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and the highest-ranking Black woman in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Example:
Major Charity Adams led the 6888th Battalion with exceptional skill, overcoming racial and gender barriers to ensure that mail reached American soldiers in Europe.
Non-combat roles
Military assignments that do not involve direct engagement in fighting, such as supply, maintenance, or administrative duties.
Example:
Many African American soldiers in WWII were initially assigned to non-combat roles, despite their desire to serve on the front lines, highlighting the racial discrimination within the military.
Pittsburgh Courier
An influential African American newspaper that adopted and popularized the "Double V" symbol and campaign, making it a national movement for civil rights during WWII.
Example:
The Pittsburgh Courier played a crucial role in amplifying the voices of African Americans during WWII by championing the Double V Campaign and advocating for racial equality.
Redlining
A discriminatory practice by which banks and other financial institutions would deny or limit services, such as mortgages, to residents of certain areas, typically low-income or minority neighborhoods.
Example:
Through practices like redlining, African American veterans were often denied the low-cost home mortgages offered by the G.I. Bill, perpetuating housing segregation and wealth disparities.
Restrictive covenants
Clauses in property deeds that legally prohibited the sale, lease, or occupancy of a property by certain groups, most commonly African Americans, thereby enforcing racial segregation in housing.
Example:
Even if a Black veteran could afford a home, restrictive covenants in property deeds often legally barred them from purchasing in white neighborhoods, reinforcing racial segregation.
Roscoe Brown
A decorated Tuskegee Airman who served as a squadron commander and later became an educator, continuing to advocate for civil rights and education.
Example:
Roscoe Brown, a distinguished Tuskegee Airman, not only excelled in combat but also dedicated his life to education, inspiring future generations.
Segregated (military)
The practice of separating people based on race, particularly in the U.S. military during WWII, where Black soldiers served in distinct units.
Example:
Despite the bravery of African American soldiers, the U.S. military remained deeply segregated at the start of WWII, forcing Black service members into separate units and often limiting their opportunities.
Tuskegee Airmen
The first African American military pilots and airmen in the U.S. armed forces, who trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field and served with distinction in World War II.
Example:
The Tuskegee Airmen shattered racial barriers in aviation, proving their exceptional skill and bravery by successfully escorting bombers and destroying enemy aircraft during WWII.
Tuskegee Army Air Field
The primary training base in Alabama where the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military pilots, received their flight instruction during World War II.
Example:
The rigorous training at Tuskegee Army Air Field prepared the pioneering Black pilots for combat, demonstrating that African Americans could excel in complex military roles.