The Mississippi Enterprise

Negroes Serving In Every Branch Of Armed Forces

The requirements of military security prevents disclosing the number of Negro units or the exact number of Negroes in the Army. Negroes however, are serving in every arm and service of the army and the number of negro soldiers correspond to the ratio of the Negro race to the total population of the United States.

Among other places, Negro soldiers are now serving in Hawaii. New Guinea, Australia, the British Isles and at our Atlantic bases.

A Negro Infantry Division, the 93rd, is now training at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. and a second all negro division, the 92nd, is now in process formation. In addition there are several negro infantry regiments, two Negro Cavalry regiments the famous 9th and 10th, Negro Tank destroyer battalions in the Armored Force, a Negro pursuit squadron in the Army Air Forces, and tank battalions in the Armored Forces. Other Negro groups in the army include Field and Coast Artillery and Anti aircraft units, Quartermaster Inspector General's department, Signal corps, Military police, engineers, medical corps, chemical warfare, corps of chaplains and ground units of the air forces, special service units and others.

Private Robert H. Brooks, a Negro, was the first armored force casualty of the war. He was killed near Stotsenburg in the Philippine December 8. The main parade ground at Ft. Knox, Ky. has been named Brooks Field in his memory.

Recently in Australia, 3 negro members of an Engineers unit were decorated with the soldier's medal and cited for bravery by General McArthur.

Their action consisted of rescuing a pilot from a burning plane in alligator infested waters.

Their names are private first class Julius S. Franklin, Charleston, S. C. Hardy M. Crandel, Greenville N. C. and James Scott, Montgomery Ala.