Powell orders probe of why no black WWII vets got Medal of Honor - Colin Powell; African American veterans of World War II

Jet, Oct 18, 1993

In one of his last acts, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin L. Powell authorized a study of procedures to determine why no Black GIs during World War II received the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor.

During his two terms as the first Black military chief, Gen. Powell took a special interest in gaining recognition for forgotten Black war heroes. One of his special projects was to support a memorial for the "Buffalo Soldiers," who roamed the prairies during the settling of the West.

It took years of research to gain recognition for one Black GI, Cpl. Charles Stowers, to be declared eligible for the Medal of Honor for his valor during World War I years after his death.

The research for this project was conducted by Dr. Leroy K. Ramsey, of Albany, N.Y.

What made the World War II chapter so crucial is that three all-Black units won headlines for their accomplishments as groups but no recognition came for the individual acts of heroism. Both the 92nd and 93rd Infantry divisions and the Tuskegee Airmen saw service during the conflict.

For the project of researching Black exploits in World War II, two Shaw University faculty members were awarded Pentagon contracts totalling upwards of $300,000 for an 18-month period. Involved in the research project are Dr. McLouis Clayton and Dr. Daniel Gibran.