Father and child, Detroit, Michigan, February 1942
Arthur S. Siegel, photographer
Library of Congress
“Cautiously advancing through the jungle, while on patrol in Japanese territory off the Numa-Numa Trail, these members of the 93rd Infantry Division are among the first Negro foot soldiers to go into action in the South Pacific theater.” May 1, 1944.
Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea
National Archives, Pictures of African Americans During World War II
Private First Class Johnnie Mae Welton, Women’s Army Corps, a laboratory technician trainee, conducts an experiment in the serology laboratory at Fort Jackson Station Hospital, Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
March 20, 1944. Jensen, photographer.
National Archives and Records Administration
During World War II, 6,520 black women served in what became the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). The US Army’s specialist and technical training schools were integrated in 1943, but enlisted women served in segregated units, participated in segregated training, lived in separate quarters, ate at separate tables, and used separate recreational facilities. Following World War II, racial and gender discrimination and segregation persisted in the military. By June 1948, only 125 African American women served in the WAC, four officers and 121 enlisted. After President Truman integrated the armed forces by signing Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948, WACs began integrated training and living in April 1950.
Mrs. Noble Williams and her family, ca. 1945
Scurlock Studio (Washington, D.C.), photographers
Scurlock Studio Records, ca. 1905-1994, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Dr. Ralph J. Bunche with his wife, Ruth, and their daughters Jane, left, and Joan in 1938.
In 1950, Dr. Bunche became the first African-American Nobel Peace Price winner. He was awarded the honor in recognition of his successful work as a United Nations mediator in Palestine.
Los Angeles, California
Shades of L.A.: African American Community
![Photo caption: “More than 100 wounded Negro soldiers, sailors, marines and Coast Guardsmen were feted by The Equestriennes, a group of Government Girls, at an annual Thanksgiving dinner at Lucy D. Slowe Hall, Washington, D. C., Sunday afternoon, November 26, 1944; The veterans were greeted by Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt and heard addresses by Truman K. Gibson, Civilian Aide to the secretary of War; Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune, President of the National Council of Negro Women; Dr. Marshall Shepard, Recorder of Deeds; Capt. [Captain] Herbert E. Carter of the famed 99th Pursuit Squadron; and Carlton Moss, writer and director of “The Negro Soldier”; Mrs. Lillie Brooks, mother of Sgt. [Sergeant] Joe Louis, was a guest at the dinner; Col. [Colonel] Campbell C. Johnson, Executive Assistant to the Director of Selective Service, served as master of ceremonies.”
Helen Levitt, photographer
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, NY Public Library](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdwgiotCsU1qd382lo1_400.jpg)
Photo caption: “More than 100 wounded Negro soldiers, sailors, marines and Coast Guardsmen were feted by The Equestriennes, a group of Government Girls, at an annual Thanksgiving dinner at Lucy D. Slowe Hall, Washington, D. C., Sunday afternoon, November 26, 1944; The veterans were greeted by Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt and heard addresses by Truman K. Gibson, Civilian Aide to the secretary of War; Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune, President of the National Council of Negro Women; Dr. Marshall Shepard, Recorder of Deeds; Capt. [Captain] Herbert E. Carter of the famed 99th Pursuit Squadron; and Carlton Moss, writer and director of “The Negro Soldier”; Mrs. Lillie Brooks, mother of Sgt. [Sergeant] Joe Louis, was a guest at the dinner; Col. [Colonel] Campbell C. Johnson, Executive Assistant to the Director of Selective Service, served as master of ceremonies.”
Helen Levitt, photographer
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, NY Public Library
“Captain William Reid, a member of Headquarters Detachment, Schofield Barracks, greets his wife, and son, Robert, nine months old, after they arrived in Honolulu aboard the SS Lurline; They were among the second large group of Army dependents to arrive in the Hawaiian Islands; The Reids maintain permanent residence at 1827 Florida Avenue, N. W., Washington, D. C.”
January 3 1947
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library
“… sailors in their bunkroom aboard the U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CV-14) on eve of the Battle of Manila, PI. Thomas L. Crenshaw (STM1/c) looks at a picture of his three children, while a bunkmate writes a letter home.”
November 4, 1944. Lt. Wayne Miller, photographer.
National Archives and Records Administration
Tuskegee airmen attending a briefing.
Foreground (left to right): Joseph L. “Joe” Chineworth (partial view, wheel cap) Memphis, TN, Class 44-E; Emile G. Clifton, San Francisco, CA, Class 44-B; Richard S. “Rip” Harder, Brooklyn, NY, Class 44-B.
Along back wall (back to front): Frank N. Wright, Elmsford, NY, Class 44-F; Robert J. Murdic, Franklin, TN, Class 44-F; Jimmie D. Wheeler.
Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945.
Source: Tuskegee Airmen 332nd Fighter Group pilots
Toni Frissell, photographer
Toni Frissell Collection, Library of Congress
