The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

World War II "Buffalo Soldier" Honored

From the Jan. 3, 2013, Cleveland Sun News "Cleveland Heights 'Buffalo Soldier' honored for WW II service" by Brian Byrne.

Joseph Pyles, 93, originally from Kentucky, served in the black 92nd Infantry Division.  His duty was going across the country returning AWOL soldiers to the military.  Of course, this was during the time when racism was all over the military.

He remembers being denied service at a Texas restaurant while German POWs were dining inside.  He figures that although he had a .45 revolver, he had no bullets as the commanders didn't trust him or his fellow black soldiers.

He later saw combat in Italy in 1944.

Today, It seems Hard to Believe That Men Willing to Lay Their Lives on the Line for Their Country Would Have Been Treated This Way.  --GreGen

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