WWI in High School

[RavenW]

On this coming Monday, I give a lecture "WWI: From American Perspective". (I already told that I teach in local high school)

Any suggestions? I was thinking of telling the story of 369th regiment of 93rd Infantry Division (African Americans).

Then talk about Native American participation in Great War.

I also found this interesting document on Military site.
http://www.gordon.army.mil/eoo/jewish3.htm




Jewish-American military participation

One of the claims anti-Semites, or those not well informed, have made what was that Jewish-Americans do not serve in the military. The record shows quite a different picture. During the last two World Wars, Jewish-Americans have not only served with distinction but in numbers exceeding their percentage of the population. When the new Jewish immigrants came to this country over a century ago, many were fearful that perhaps this new land would make them at best only second class citizens. When the wars came, however, they joined the ranks like all other ethno-Americans and laid their blood on the field of battle as if they were first class citizens. If participation in battle is considered a test of one’s loyalty, then Jewish-Americans are very loyal citizens.

The stories that can be told about Jewish-American participation and heroism in battle are many. These were achieved despite the anti-Semitism that many service members experienced while serving their country. There are many books on the subject; however, we will only highlight some of the Jewish-American contributions.

Military highlights

Revolutionary and Pre-Civil War: There were about 2,000 Jews living in America during the time of the Revolutionary War. Beginning a trend that was to continue to modern times, the majority of eligible Jewish males participated in the war. They left an interesting history behind them.

There was a predominantly Jewish company form South Carolina. This happened quite by accident. It appears that the region from which this company originated was mostly populated by Jews.

Some famous Jewish combatants of the Revolutionary War are Captain Richard Lushington, Lieutenant Colonel David S. Franks, Lieutenant Colonel Solomon Bush, and Ensign Mordecai Davis.

The first South Carolinian to fall in the Revolutionary War was Francis Salvador, a Jewish-American. He is often called the “Paul Revere” of the South.

After independence was secured, Jewish-Americans continued to participate in the new Army of the United States. Simon M. Levy from Baltimore, Maryland, was appointed a cadet to the first class at the Military Academy of West Point in 1802. The first Jewish-American captain in the United States Navy was Uriah P. Levy. He served with distinction in the War of 1812 and was instrumental in abolishing corporal punishment in the Navy. He experienced much anti-Semitism during his service, and as a consequence reflective of the time, had to fight many duels. Many of those serving with him thought that, as a Jew, he was unfit to hold such a high rank. Other Jewish-Americans that served during the War of 1812 were Commodore John Ordroneux and Captain Mordecai Myers.

Some highlights of the Jewish-American participation in the United States War with Mexico are:

Surgeon general David de Leon from South Carolina, twice took command of combat soldiers on the battlefield who lost their own commanders. He received a special citation from Congress for this heroic action.

Other combatants of this war include Colonel Leon Dyer, Israel Moses, and General David Emanuel Twiggs.

The Civil War and after: All wars are sad, but perhaps the Civil War was the saddest war in which Americans have fought. This war literally was brother fight against brother. The losses on both sides were tremendous, as both sides fought valiantly for the causes they believed in. Jewish-Americans, like all other Americans, shared in that tragedy on both sides of the field, both Americans fought in the Civil War, 8,400 for the Union and 10,000 for the Confederacy. Some highlights are:

Seven Jewish-Americans were awarded the Medal of Honor in the Union Army.

Several Jewish-Americans rose to the rank of general. Frederick Knefler, a volunteer private at the beginning of the war, was the first Jewish brevet major general.

Edward S. Salomon, who became governor of the Washington Territory after the war, was famous for his courage in the Battles of Fredrickson, Mainfordville, and *****sburg.

Philip J. Joachimson was a New York District Attorney who secured the first anti-slavery conviction. He was instrumental in organizing the 59th New York Volunteer Regiment. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the Regiment and was later promoted to brigadier general.

The banking firm of Seligman Brothers provided financial support to the Union Army during the war.

The same Surgeon General David de Leon that fought valiantly in the United States war against Mexico earlier was the first Surgeon General of the Confederacy.

Judah Philip Benjamin served both as Secretary of War and Secretary of State for the Confederacy.

The Army of the Confederate States of America (CSA) had at least 23 Jewish-American staff officers.

Captain Levi Myers Harby, Navy-CSA, distinguished himself in the defense of Galveston.

The first Jewish chaplain, Jacob Frankel, was appointed by Presidential order on September 10, 1862. Up to this time, the military only appointed Christian clergy as chaplains.

After the war the nation proceeded to heal its wounds. Unfortunately there were those that refused to recognize the contributions Jewish-Americans made on both sides of that war. As a response to unfounded statements that Jewish-Americans do not fight for their country, the Hebrew Union Veterans Organization was founded on March 15, 1896. This organization was a forerunner to the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America. The latter is recognized as the oldest veteran’s organization in America.

The Spanish-American War saw a total of 300, 000 Americans fighting. This was approximately 0.4 percent of the general population. About 5,000 Jewish-Americans saw service in this war, representing 0.5 percent of the Jewish population of the country. Among those Jewish-Americans who participated, there were 30 Army officers and 20 Naval officers. The 2 percent casualty rate of the war was similar to the Jewish casualty rate. Adolph Marix commanded the U.S. battleship Maine shortly before it was sunk. Jewish-Americans were also to be found among the “Rough Riders.” Jacob Wilbusky was the first to be killed in an early skirmish.

World War I. A summary of the war record of Jewish-Americans in World War I:

Total population of the United States in 1917: 103,690,473

Jewish population in the United States in 1917: 3,389,000

Total number in the Armed Forces of the United States: 4,355,000

Jews serving in the Armed Forces of the United States (approximate): 250,000

Percentage of Jews in the total population: 3.27%

Percentage of Jews in the Armed Forces: 5.73%

Distribution among services

Infantry: 35.7%
Artillery: 11.6%
Cavalry: 1.5%
Engineers: 4.2%
Signal and aviation: 6.5%
Ordnance: 2.4%
Quartermaster: 8.9%
Other branches: .6%

Casualties

Dead (approximate): 3,500
Wounded (approximate): 12,000

Commissioned officers

Army
Generals: 1
Colonels and lieutenant colonels: 94
Majors: 404
Captains: 1,504
Lieutenants: 6,000

Navy
Miscellaneous (including one admiral): 1,013

Marines
Miscellaneous (including one general): 161

Total; 9,177

Decorations

Congressional Medal of Honor: 3
Distinguished Service Medals and Crosses: 147
Other decorations, citations, and awards: 982
Total: 1,132

Source: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America

World War II. A summary of the war record of Jewish-Americans participants in World War II.

Total Population of the United States: 135,000,000

Total Jewish population of the United States: 4,500,000

Total number in the Armed Forces of the United States: 13,000,000

Jews serving in the Armed Forces of the United States: 550,000

Percentage of Jews in the total population: 3.33%

Percentage of Jews in the Armed Forces: 4.23%

Distribution among services

Army: 80%
Infantry: .7%
Other Ground Forces: 8.5%
Air Corps: 33.5%

Navy: 17%
Marine Corps: 2%
Coast Guard: 1%

Casualties

Dead (approximate): 11,000
Wounded (approximate): 40,000

Decorations

Medal of Honor: 2
Distinguished service Medals and Crosses and Navy Crosses: 157
Silver Star: 1,600
Other decorations, citations and awards: 50,242
Total: 52,000

About 60% of all Jewish physicians in the United States under 45 years of age were in the Service.

Multiple family contributions:

4 Jewish families contributed 8 members each

12 Jewish families contributed 7 members each

19 Jewish families contributed 6 members each

(These figures are approximate)

Source: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America

The saga of Jewish-Americans fighters continues to the present. Approximately 150,000 Jewish-Americans saw service during the Korean War. In Vietnam, about 30,000 Jewish-Americans served. Among them was Major General Ben Sternberg. Colonel Jack H. Jacobs won the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam. According to early figures complied by the National Museum of Americans served in the Gulf War. Out of an overall force of about 500,000, this represents approximately 2 percent of the force.

Adapted from ODCSPER's website, Directorate of Human Resources, Equal Opportunity Representative Course

Homepage Anti-Defamation League (ADL) StrHATE TALK Consulting Simon Wiesenthal Center
Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI)) Complaint Procedures Alternate Agencies Command Climate Survey
Course Dates and Information Register and Get Information for Senior Leaders Course Contact Your EO Advisor
Equal Opportunity Representative Course Information Consideration of Others Program Links to various Ethnic Groups
Ethnic Observances Forms and Publications Policy Letters Information on Various Religions of the World

03/11/04


Since it is my lecture, I might pick the topics as I pleased, but I was thinking that you might actually recommend me something for young boys and girls to learn (they are juniors).

[memphiz]

Good luck :)
you should atleast mention Vimy ridge ;) :D

[RavenW]

That would be more like "WWI: Canadian Perspective" ;) :)

Thanks for advice anyway. Any suggestion is a good suggestion.

Can anyone suggest a good battle to talk about from American perspective?

[cut]

why should the jewish-american contribution be seperated out from any other group?

do you teach in a jewish school?

[ArmedPacifist]

You should talk about the policy of isolation adopted by the US and their total indifference to European politics.

[cut]

You should talk about the policy of isolation adopted by the US and their total indifference to European politics.

nah... keep it simple

[RavenW]

why should the jewish-american contribution be seperated out from any other group?

do you teach in a jewish school?

Who told you I'm gonna talk about Jewish American contribution during WWI at all? :)

The second part of this topic dealt with my own findings while I was surfing the net. I just thought it is interesting so I posted it.

I teach in regular high school, and most of the lecture (90%) will be on regular US Army. Then I will allocate some time for African American contribution. At the end of lecture I might (if we still have time, which I doubt) mention Native American contribution. As for other minority groups (Jews included) I don't think we gonna have time at all. Would be nice though.

I just found this article and wanted to post it on our beloved military forum, but since I already started "WWI in High School" topic, I just paste it here.

Peace! :D

[RavenW]

You should talk about the policy of isolation adopted by the US and their total indifference to European politics.

Actually, I was thinking to talk about it during 1930s lecture. Since it was a big reason why Americans were so hesitant in joining Europe's WWII conflict.

[ZeroPositive]

interesting...
Keeps bringing me back to Saving Private Ryan I know it was a movie but when that Jewish guy gets stabed seems so much more harsher...

[cut]

why should the jewish-american contribution be seperated out from any other group?

do you teach in a jewish school?

Who told you I'm gonna talk about Jewish American contribution during WWI at all? :)

The second part of this topic dealt with my own findings while I was surfing the net. I just thought it is interesting so I posted it.

I teach in regular high school, and most of the lecture (90%) will be on regular US Army. Then I will allocate some time for African American contribution. At the end of lecture I might (if we still have time, which I doubt) mention Native American contribution. As for other minority groups (Jews included) I don't think we gonna have time at all. Would be nice though.

I just found this article and wanted to post it on our beloved military forum, but since I already started "WWI in High School" topic, I just paste it here.

Peace! :D

I've got nothing against it, it's just all the stats you posted were about the jewish contribution... although, jewish americans made a a disproportionate sacrifice for peace in europe I think you should forget that the same can be said for New Zealanders and Australians..x and of course the bigger countries.. whenever talking about a world war.. I think that there should always be an emphasis on the amount countries that were involved, after all that IS waht made it a world war...

[RavenW]

why should the jewish-american contribution be seperated out from any other group?

do you teach in a jewish school?

Who told you I'm gonna talk about Jewish American contribution during WWI at all? :)

The second part of this topic dealt with my own findings while I was surfing the net. I just thought it is interesting so I posted it.

I teach in regular high school, and most of the lecture (90%) will be on regular US Army. Then I will allocate some time for African American contribution. At the end of lecture I might (if we still have time, which I doubt) mention Native American contribution. As for other minority groups (Jews included) I don't think we gonna have time at all. Would be nice though.

I just found this article and wanted to post it on our beloved military forum, but since I already started "WWI in High School" topic, I just paste it here.

Peace! :D

I've got nothing against it, it's just all the stats you posted were about the jewish contribution... although, jewish americans made a a disproportionate sacrifice for peace in europe I think you should forget that the same can be said for New Zealanders and Australians..x and of course the bigger countries.. whenever talking about a world war.. I think that there should always be an emphasis on the amount countries that were involved, after all that IS waht made it a world war...

I agree. There was probably a genuine misunderstanding between us.
This article should be posted in a seperate topic - not in the one I talked about school lecture.

What happened is that I went to the WWI Archival Documents site in search of some interesting articles for my lecture.
Next thing I know I am reading some historical research about Native Indians participation in WWI.

In this research there was a saying from "Lacota Times":

"No other ethnic group fought and got more decorations than Native Americans".

This made me very suspicious, since I remember reading that it was Latino Americans who got most of US decoration for fighting as an ethnic group. So, I immidiately went to Yahoo! Search and gave this kind of keywords:
"military decorations ethnic group".

The first article that poped up was the one I posted about Jewish-American contribution.
I opened it... hm... interesting read.
Does not have anything to do with my original topic, but I wondered if guys on militaryphotos.net would be interested to read it.

So I went and added to my original topic "WWI in High School" this article.

End of story.

I think all - Australian, New Zealanders and Indians (India) made great contributions in WWI. That's why without a doubt they all deserve justfull recognition for their service on the side of Allies.

Peace! :D

[b.scheller]

a movie is always good, perhaps you should show the a&e documentary film on the battle of the argonne forest. its called "the lost battalion (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0287535/)"

also, other good world war I flicks:

gallipoli
all quiet on the western front
blue max

ugh help me out here...

[RavenW]

a movie is always good, perhaps you should show the a&e documentary film on the argonne forest. its called "the lost battalion (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0287535/)"

thanks for the advice. Keep them coming!

I'm opened to new ideas.

[cut]

RavenW, do you have a lecture plan you could post... maybe we could add on that?

[RavenW]

Sure. I am in the process of making one right now.

I will post it in the next few days. I would be glad to hear some suggestions for this plan. Just give me some time for now. ;)



In fairness to other great groups of my country I decided to post here another article from that site. It came up as second page from that search.



Hispanic-American contributions

Famous Hispanic Contributors and Contributions. Hispanic-Americans made significant contributions to the development of our great nation even before the days of Admiral David Farragut and the Civil War. Farragut’s father, a Spaniard, came to America in 1776 and fought for this country during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. More recently, Hispanics have made their mark in politics, public service, the entertainment industry, organized sports, business, and science, as well as the military service. In the November 1992 elections, because of redistricting and greater political awareness, Hispanics counted an unprecedented number of 18 members of Congress and two delegates within their ranks. The eight new freshmen congressmen overcame overwhelming odds in some cases to win in ‘92. This includes California Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (the eldest daughter or Representative Edward Royal), who is the first Hispanic woman to directly follow her father in Congress, from an entirely different district. Other historical political firsts are discussed below. It is important to remember that with their representation election, Hispanics now have twice the political clout.

Henry Cisneros, former Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, was a member of the Clinton administration, holding the cabinet post of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

In the entertainment world, Hispanic-Americans came to the forefront in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Edward James Olmos, known for his role on the television show Miami Vice, launched a successful movie career and also starred in Stand and Deliver, a movie about Los Angeles educator Jaime Escalante, and American Me, which concerns crime and violence in the Hispanic community. Gloria Estefan is a top contender in the record industry, and Rubin Blade recorded his first album in English for non-Hispanic audiences.

In the world of science, Antonia Novello, a distinguished M.D., became the first Hispanic astronaut. Ellen Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman astronaut.

Like David Farragut, Hispanics continue to distinguish themselves in the military service of their country. Hispanics have been awarded 39 Medals of Honor to date -- more of the nation’s highest military honor than any other identifiable group. Some 20,000 Hispanics served in Operation Desert Shield/Storm, and many unsung Hispanic heroes emerged from the ground war with Iraq. In his autobiography, General Norman Schwarzkopf refers reverently to his former commander, Hispanic General Richard E. Cavazos, U.S.A. (Ret.), as one of the finest division commanders that he ever worked for. During Operation Restore Hope, the relief effort in Somalia, this nation mourned for the family of Domingo Arroyo, a Hispanic Marine and the first casualty in the region killed in a fire fight with Somali warlords.

Hispanic-Americans have made a difference in the history of this country. They leave a proud heritage for future Hispanic leaders of the 21st century to emulate. Additional noted Hispanic-Americans and their contributions are listed below.

Politics

Nydia Velazquez -- First Puerto Rican woman to serve in the House of Representatives.

Lincoln Diaz-Balart -- Florida Congressman and anti-Castro activist, who is the first member of Congress to be related to Fidel Castro.

Robert Menendez -- New Jersey Congressman who is the first Cuban-American to serve in the House and first Cuban representative from the state of New Jersey.

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen -- First Cuban-American woman in the House of Representatives.

Luis Gutierrez -- Illinois’ first Hispanic in Congress.

Henry Bonilla -- First Republican from the state of Texas.

Frank Tejeda -- First member of the 103rd Congress elected when he emerged from the March 1992 filing period unopposed by Democrat or Republican.

Bill Richardson -- First Hispanic as Chief Deputy Majority Whip.

Joseph M. Montoya -- U.S. Senator.

Dennis Chavez -- First American-born Hispanic elected to the U.S. Senate.

Herman Badillo -- First Puerto Rican elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Henry Gonzales -- Texas Congressman and Chairman of the House Banking Committee.

Ed Pastor -- First Hispanic Congressman from the state of Arizona.

Bob Martinez -- Former Governor of Florida and head of the Drug Enforcement Agency under President George Bush.

Rual Castro -- Governor of Arizona, resigned in 1977 to accept appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Argentina.

Ramona Acosta Banuelos, Katherine D. Ortega, and Catalina Vasquez -- Former U.S. Treasurers.

Lena Guerrero -- Member of the Texas State Legislature and first woman or ethnic minority to be appointed to the Texas Railroad Commission.

Xavier Suarez -- First Cuban-American mayor of Miami in 1985.

Fernando Ferrer -- Bronx, N.Y. borough president since 1987, possible candidate in New York mayoral race.

Nelson Merced -- First Hispanic elected to the Massachusetts State Legislature.

Jose Serrano -- Bronx Democrat Congressman and champion of inner-city educational reform.

Federico Pena -- First Hispanic mayor of Denver.

Gloria Molina -- First Latina on the City Council of Los Angeles.

Laura Cavazos -- First Hispanic to occupy a cabinet position, as Secretary of education for the Reagan Administration.

Bert Corona -- Mexican-American Political Associations.

Cesar Chavez -- United Farm Workers.

Jose Angel Gutierrez -- La Raza Unida Party.

Jerry Apodaca -- Former Government of New Mexico.

Baltasar Corrada -- Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico.

Science

Jamie Escalante -- Los Angeles educator credited for his role in improving the math and science skills of Los Angeles-area high school students -- the improvement in Escalante’s students’ scores on the Calculus Advanced Placement Exam for college entrance was so dramatic that the group was accused of cheating by the Educational Testing Service in Princenton, N.J. The movie Stand and Deliver tells his story.

Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, Ellen Ochoa, and Sid Gutierrez -- NASA space shuttle astronauts.

Luis W. Alverez -- Nobel Prize winner in physics for work with subatomic particles.

Severo Ochoa -- Nobel Prize winner in medicine and physiology for laboratory synthesis of DNA and RNA.

Entertainment

Edwards James Olmos, Anthony Quinn, Gilbert Roland, Martin Sheen, Raquel Welch, Imogene Coca, Freddie Prinze, Jose Ferrer, Erik Estrada, Paul Rodriquez, Richardo Montalban, Saundra Santiago, Esai Morales, Marcia Conchita Alonso, Jimmy Smits and Raul Julia -- Actors.

Rita Moreno -- First Hispanic actress to win an Oscar.

Brunilda Ruiz --Ballerina.

Trini Lopez, Joan Baez, Tony Orlando, Xavier Cuggat, Desi Arnaz, Carlos Montoya, Vickie Carr, Chita Ricera, Jose Feliciano, Graciela Rivera, Tito Puente -- Entertainers.

Truman Capote and Anais Nin -- Authors.

Geraldo Rivera -- Talk Show Host.

Luis Valdez, writer of La Bamba--the Richie Valens -- Story Writer/Director.

Lourdes Lopez --Principle Dancer, New York ballet.

John Benitez -- Record producer best known for producing Madonna’s first hit record.

Kenny Ortega -- Choreographer.

Ernesto Lecuona -- Composer.

John Secada -- Musician.

Scholars/writers

Nicolas Guillen -- Poet inspired by African rhythms.

Carlos Montenegro -- Novelist.

Wilfredo Lam and Manuel Martinez -- Painter.

Piri Thomas -- Writer.

Eduardo Seda, Ernesto Galarza, Octavio Romano, Richard Duran, Julian Samora and George Sanchez -- Scholars.

Luis Valdez, Guadalupe de Saavedra and Abelardo Delgado -- Poets.

Sports

Angelo Cordero -- Jockey.

Chi Chi Rodriquez, Nancy Lopez, and Lee Trevino -- Golf.

Jim Plunkett -- Football.

Jose Torres, Hector (Macho) Camacho and Kid Chocolate -- Boxing.

Juan Marichal, Luis Tiant, Pedro Ramos, Orlando Cepeda, Roberto Clemente and Luis Aparicio -- Baseball.

Albert Salazar -- Boston Marathon winner.

Business

Roberto C. Goicueta -- Former president and current chairman of the board of Coca Cola.

Prudencio Unanue -- Founder of Goya, a corporation producing Hispanic food products.

Oscar de la Renta and Adolfo Sardina -- Fashion designers.

Elwood Quesada -- First head of the Federal Aviation Agency and former vice-president of Lockheed Aircraft Corporation.

Cesar Chavez -- Head of the National Farm Workers’ Association (United Farm Workers of America).

Military

Hispanics have served as general and flag officers in the military. Admiral Horacio Rivero was the first Hispanic four-star admiral in the Navy; General Richard E. Cavazos was the first Hispanic four-star general in the Army; and Lieutenant General Elwood R. Quesada was the first Hispanic general officer in the Air Force. Brigadier General Luis R. Esteves was the first Puerto Rican graduate of West Point and founder of the Puerto Rican National Guard.

Contributions

Mexicans showed Californians how to pan for gold and introduced the technique of using mercury to separate silver from worthless ores. Certain foods common in the U.S. are of Hispanic origin: tacos, tortillas, Caesar salad, and chili con carne, which was invented about 1880 by Mexican-Americans living in Texas. In 1992, salsa outsold ketchup for the first tine in the United States.

Some Hispanic words which have become part of the American language: redo, cabana, macho, bonanza, mosquito, chocolate, tobacco, adobe, burro, corral, desperado, incommunicado, patio, plaza, poncho, vigilante, cafeteria, canoe, hurricane, cannibal, manatee, tomato, canyon, armada, bronco, and barbecue.

Six state names are of Hispanic origin: Texas (from tejas, land of tile roofs), Nevada (land of snow), Colorado (red land), and California (an imaginary island in Spanish folklore, “an earthly (state of flowers). Throughout the United State there are many cities and towns with Hispanic-origins names. In California, alone, there are more than 400. Other contributions include poinsettias, Chihuahuas, chewing gum, canasta, and rummy.

Military participation
Although Spain was a strong colonial power in North America in the 1700s, the Spanish defeat in the Seven Years War led to the parceling of lands to the English in the Spanish Colony of Florida. Spain, therefore, felt no loyalty to the British Monarchy during the course of the American Revolution. Despite negotiations with the Continental Congress, neither side could agree on the fate of Florida and therefore Spain played no overt role in aiding the American colonist. Nevertheless, several Hispanic forefathers, like the father of David Farragut, provided discrete or covert aid to the colonists. Another such man was Bernardo de Galvez, a Spanish army officer and Governor of Louisiana in 1777.

From 1775-77, de Galvez provided rations and weapons to the Continental Army. In 1777, he arranged safe passage for James Willing, an American agent of the Continental Congress, who had led a successful campaign along the Mississippi harassing British shipping, plantation owners and military outpost.

Taking advantage of weakness in the British defenses and Spanish recognition of American independence in 1779, de Galvez captured all the British forts along the Mississippi from Lake Pontchartrain to Baton Rouge. He later defeated all British forces in Florida and restored control of this region to Spain. For his contribution, de Galvez has been memorialized on a U.S. stamp and a statue in Washington, D.C. and in his namesake city of Galveston, Texas.

Post-Revolutionary War

One of de Galvez’s officers, Franciso de Miranda, also played an important role in the defeat of the British on the Mississippi and the capture of the port of Pensacola. Ultimately a revolutionary himself, de Miranda left the Spanish army and lead a campaign against Spanish colonialism while living in North America and Europe. In 1805, he led an American-sanctioned invasion of Venezuela and is credited with the title of “Precursor of Latin American Independence.” During the 1800s, the sale of all Spanish lands west of the Mississippi to France was made under the proviso that these lands not be in turn relinquished to the United States. France reneged on its agreement and President Jefferson negotiated the Louisiana Purchase for $15 Million in 1803.

Texas-American frontier

The next conflict involving Hispanics in American history took place over territorial disputes between Mexico and the “Lone Star State” of Texas. When Mexican General and self-proclaimed President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna attacked the Alamo on March 6, 1835, 183 Texans were killed and six of them were Mexican.

One Hispanic survivor of the Alamo was Lieutenant Colonel John Nepomuncene Seguin. Selected as a courier to leave the fort, sneak through Santa Anna’s lines and obtain reinforcements, Seguin succeeded in escaping but could not obtain relief in time. After the war, he returned to San Antonio where he served two terms as the city’s mayor.

California-Mexican frontier

One of the most interesting Hispanic figures of this period in American history is Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. Born of the upper class in 1808, Vallejo grew up during the turbulent years of the Mexican Revolution. An accomplished Mexican army officer by the age of twenty-one, he gained the confidence of the Mexican governor and was named military commander of northern California. During the same period, he became a member of the territorial legislature an delegate to the Mexican Congress.

Despite these ties to his native Mexico, Vallejo believed it would be in the best interests of the California territories to yield their sovereignty to the United States. He shifted loyalties and discretely helped Americans secure California. Later appointed as an agent for the U.S. government, he became one of eight California’s to write the State’s first constitution and became one of the first members of the state westward expansion of America, Vallejo has been highly recognized. The city of Vallejo, California, was named in his honor, a vineyard produces wines with his name, and in 1965, the U.S. Navy commissioned the nuclear powered fleet ballistic missile submarine U.S.S. M. G. Vallejo (SSBN-658), one of “the forty-one for freedom,” in honor of this distinguished Hispanic.

The Civil War

When the Civil War broke out, the Mexican-American community was divided in loyalty. Approximately 1,000 joined the Union Army and another 2,550, the Confederate Force.

By the end of the war, as many as 9,900 Mexican-Americans fought. Most served in the regular army or volunteer units which were integrated. Some, however, served in predominately Mexican-American units with their own officers. Of the 40,000 volumes written about the Civil War, only one, Vaqueros in Blue and Gray, has been written about their contribution.

In 1863, the U.S. government established four military companies of Mexican-American Californians (the First Battalion of Native Cavalry) to utilize their “extraordinary horsemanship.” At least 469 Mexican-Americans served under Major Salvador Vallejo, helping to defeat a Confederate invasion of New Mexico.

Colonel Miguel E. Pino established the Second Regiment of New Mexico Volunteers. At least six independent militia companies commanded by Mexican-Americans were raised in New Mexico. Approximately 4,000 Mexican-Americans volunteered in these companies. In Texas, the Union established 12 Mexican-American companies (the First Regiment of Texas Cavalry). By and large, the officers were non-Hispanic, although there were some Mexican Texans serving as captains and lieutenants.

David G. Farragut was the most famous Union Hispanic. When he was nine years old he was appointed as a midshipman in the U.S. Navy. At 13 he served aboard the U.S.S. Essex during the War of 1812. In 1862, he successfully commanded Union forces and captured the city of New Orleans. In the Battle of Port Hudson (135 miles north of New Orleans) Farragut’s tactics for attacking fort gained accolades. After orchestrating the capture of Mobile, Alabama, Farragut was commissioned Admiral of the Navy on July 26, 1866. He took the command of the European Squadron and while in the Mediterranean, he visited the birthplace of his father in Ciuddela, Minorca, where he received a hero’s welcome.

Other Hispanics served in such Confederate units as the Benavides Regiment, the 10th Texas Cavalry, the 55th Alabama Infantry, Manigault’s Battalion of South Carolina Artillery, the 6th Missouri Infantry, the Chalmette Regiment of Louisiana Infantry, and the Second Texas Mounted Rifles. Colonel Santos Benavides was the highest ranking Mexican-American in the Confederate Army. He was one of the first to take up arms and one of the last to surrender.

Loretta Janet Velasquez, a Cuban-born woman, enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1860, masquerading as a man, without her soldier husband’s knowledge. She fought at Bull Run, Ball’s Bluff, and Fort Donelson, but was detected while in New Orleans and discharged. Undeterred, she re-enlisted and fought at Shiloh until unmasked once more. She then took duty as a spy, working in both male and female guise. Her husband died during the war and she married three more times, widowed in each instance. She later traveled throughout the West settling in Austin, Nevada.

The Spanish-American War

The catalyst for the Spanish-American War was the sinking of the battleship Maine on February 15, 1898. Historians have debated the cause of the Maine’s demise for almost 100 years. Was it sabotage or was it an accident? Was the incident engineered by the American side to give the country an excuse for war? The loss of 260 American lives makes the latter theory unlikely. Admiral Hyman G. Rickover wrote a scholarly thesis on the subject, claiming that the explosion that ripped through the Maine’s lower decks was caused by oily rags which led to an uncontrollable fire that ignited a magazine full of ammunition. Whatever the reason, the United States declared war on Spain on April 11, 1898, with the avowed purpose of freeing the oppressed Cubans.

During the Spanish-American War in 1898, there were several Hispanic members of Theodore Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders.” Captain Maximiliano Luna was the most distinguished Hispanic “Rough Rider.” A military camp in New Mexico was named after him. After the Spanish American War, George Armijo, another Hispanic “rough Rider,” became a member of Congress.

World War I

At the beginning of World War I, Hispanics and others who lacked sufficient English skills were sent to training centers to improve their language proficiency and produce soldiers fully capable of being integrated into the army. Eventually a training plan to do so was established at Camp Gordon, Georgia. However, by the time the camp was operational the war was almost over.

Nicholas Lucero, a Hispanic, received the French Croix de Guerre during World War I for destroying two German machine gun nests and maintaining constant fire for three hours. Marcelino Serna, received the distinguished Service Cross for the single-handed capture of 24 enemy soldiers. His other decorations included: the French Croix de Guerre, the Victory Medal with three bars, and two Purple Hearts.

It was not until 1989 that the first Hispanic recipient of the Medal of Honor was recognized in a ceremony during Hispanic Heritage Week. David Barkley was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for bravery in action on the Meuse River, France, in November 1918. Barkley’s Hispanic background did not come to light until 71 years after he gave his life for his country. Other Hispanics did serve in World War I, but there are insufficient records to determine how many.

World War II

Estimates for World War II range anywhere from 250,000 to 500,000 Hispanics served in the Armed Forces. Records are sketchy because, like the Census Bureau, the military did not closely track Hispanic members. However, Hispanic soldiers participated in all the major battles of World War II. Nevertheless, it is known that between 1940 and 1946, approximately 53,000 Puerto Ricans served with the exception of the Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment, Hispanics did not serve in segregated units. National Guard units, with large proportions of Mexican-Americans, served from Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and California. There were about 200 Puerto Rican women in the Women’s Army Corps.

The New Mexico National Guard, with its large representation of Hispanics, became the largest single American unit in the Philippines. There knowledge of Spanish was a definite asset as Spanish was a principal language in the Philippines. Because of this presence, many Hispanic-Americans were taken prisoner during the fall of the Philippines and participated in the “Bataan Death March.”

The first Hispanic Medal of Honor recipient of World War II was Private Jose P. Martinis. He was honored for his role in the 1943 American invasion of the Aleutian Islands. One unit in particular, the 141st Infantry Regiment from Texas, had a high concentration of Hispanic soldiers. This distinguished unit saw 361 days of combat during World War II, earning three Medals of Honor, 31 Distinguished Service Crosses, 12 Legions of Merit, 492 Sliver Stars, 11 Soldier’s Medals, and 1685 Bronze Stars. Hispanic were awarded 12 of the 431 Medals of Honor awarded during the Second World War.

Korean War

During the Korean war nine Hispanics received the Medal of Honor. The Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Division was the only all-Hispanic Division to serve during the Korean War. It earned four Distinguished Service Crosses and 124 Silver Stars. “Hero Street, .A,” in Silvis, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, is so-named because it contributed more men to military service during World War II and Korea than any other place of comparable size. this street was home for a number of Hispanic families, and Silvis now has a monument to the eight Hispanic heroes who died during the two wars.

Captain Manual J. Fernandez, USAF, an F-86 fighter pilot assigned to the 334th Squadron, 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing, was credited with 14.5 enemy kills in 125 missions. He was the third-ranked fighter pilot of the war and retired as a Colonel.

The Vietnam War

Precise figures are not available for Hispanic participation in Vietnam. Prior to the full-scale escalation of the Vietnam War, Special Forces Advisor, Sergeant First Class Isaac Camacho’s fire base was overrun by Viet Cong in November 1963. After an intense fire fight, Camacho was taken prisoner. He is most likely the first Hispanic POW of the Vietnam era. Remarkably, Camacho escaped his captors after 20 months and made his way to freedom. He was awarded the Silver and Bronze Stars in September 1965 and later promoted to Captain, U.S. Army.

Lieutenant Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. was the first American pilot taken as a prisoner of war and remained a prisoner longer than anyone else, eight and a half years. One April 30, 1975, Master Sergeant Juan J. Valdez climbed aboard the last U.S. helicopter to depart the roof of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. The U.S. presence in Vietnam, which spanned 18 years, ended. Valdez’s presence gave credence to the America’s war: “First in...last to leave.”

Post-Vietnam Era

Approximately 80,000 Hispanics served in the Vietnam theater of operations and 13 won the Medal of Honor, 6 of them Marines. This is not unusual. Hispanics have received the highest honors to date in the U.S. Navy. As of 1990, six ships and three active submarines have been named for Hispanics, including the nuclear-powered 688 class fast attack submarine, USS San Juan, named after the capital city of Puerto Rico.

Admiral Horacio Rivera became the first Hispanic four-star Admiral in 1979 and ultimately served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Between 1979-1980, Edward Hidalgo held the highly esteemed and power position of Secretary of the Navy. During Hidalgo’s tenure, millions of dollars were committed to television advertising campaigns and new recruiting techniques to attract Hispanic youth to the Navy.

Desert Shield/Storm

Approximately 20,000 Hispanic serviceman and women participated in Operation Desert Shield/Storm. According to Defense Manpower Data Center statistics, Hispanics comprised 7.9 percent of the Fleet Marine Force, 6.0 percent of the Navy, 4.2 percent Army and 3.1 percent of the Air Force representation in the Persian Gulf theater during the war.

[cut]

I thought your lecture wasonly about world war I ??

[RavenW]

maaaan, you are nitpicking. :)

:oops: I wanted to post whole article. p-) :P

Anyway, since WWI was mostly concerned European powers, could you suggest a good topic for "American perspective of WWI" discussion?

I'll post my lecture plan in next few days.

[Black Dots]

You may want to stay away from talking about African Americans in WWI, because due to racism inherent in the military at the time, they units in action didn't receive the proper support/material and, as a result didn't perform very well until they were placed under French command. Unless, of course, you are going to examine racism's affect on the war effort, in which case, it is a perfect example.

There is a great book called "The Last Days of Innocence" which discusses the factors that lead America to war, the combat history of American units in the war and the aftermath. If you're teaching a class about the American persepctive in WWI, I recommend you give it a read. Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0679743766/ref=pd_sim_books_1/103-2268665-7047820?v=glance&s=books[/url]

[RavenW]

You may want to stay away from talking about African Americans in WWI, because due to racism inherent in the military at the time, they units in action didn't receive the proper support/material and, as a result didn't perform very well until they were placed under French command. Unless, of course, you are going to examine racism's affect on the war effort, in which case, it is a perfect example.

There is a great book called "The Last Days of Innocence" which discusses the factors that lead America to war, the combat history of American units in the war and the aftermath. If you're teaching a class about the American persepctive in WWI, I recommend you give it a read. Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0679743766/ref=pd_sim_books_1/103-2268665-7047820?v=glance&s=books[/url]

Thanks a lot, man. I'm sure it would be interesting reading.

Yeah, I was thinking to talk about some racism issue, too. Since there are quiet a lot of students in class who are African Americans.

[Sayeret]

If you have time it'd be interesting if you talked about the equipment and weapons that were used in the war.

btw cool new avatar

[RavenW]

If you have time it'd be interesting if you talked about the equipment and weapons that were used in the war.

btw cool new avatar

thanks, dude ;)

[jizzmonkey]

On this coming Monday, I give a lecture "WWI: From American Perspective". (I already told that I teach in local high school)

Any suggestions? I was thinking of telling the story of 369th regiment of 93rd Infantry Division (African Americans).

Then talk about Native American participation in Great War.

I also found this interesting document on Military site.
http://www.gordon.army.mil/eoo/jewish3.htm




Jewish-American military participation

One of the claims anti-Semites, or those not well informed, have made what was that Jewish-Americans do not serve in the military. The record shows quite a different picture. During the last two World Wars, Jewish-Americans have not only served with distinction but in numbers exceeding their percentage of the population. When the new Jewish immigrants came to this country over a century ago, many were fearful that perhaps this new land would make them at best only second class citizens. When the wars came, however, they joined the ranks like all other ethno-Americans and laid their blood on the field of battle as if they were first class citizens. If participation in battle is considered a test of one’s loyalty, then Jewish-Americans are very loyal citizens.

The stories that can be told about Jewish-American participation and heroism in battle are many. These were achieved despite the anti-Semitism that many service members experienced while serving their country. There are many books on the subject; however, we will only highlight some of the Jewish-American contributions.

Military highlights

Revolutionary and Pre-Civil War: There were about 2,000 Jews living in America during the time of the Revolutionary War. Beginning a trend that was to continue to modern times, the majority of eligible Jewish males participated in the war. They left an interesting history behind them.

There was a predominantly Jewish company form South Carolina. This happened quite by accident. It appears that the region from which this company originated was mostly populated by Jews.

Some famous Jewish combatants of the Revolutionary War are Captain Richard Lushington, Lieutenant Colonel David S. Franks, Lieutenant Colonel Solomon Bush, and Ensign Mordecai Davis.

The first South Carolinian to fall in the Revolutionary War was Francis Salvador, a Jewish-American. He is often called the “Paul Revere” of the South.

After independence was secured, Jewish-Americans continued to participate in the new Army of the United States. Simon M. Levy from Baltimore, Maryland, was appointed a cadet to the first class at the Military Academy of West Point in 1802. The first Jewish-American captain in the United States Navy was Uriah P. Levy. He served with distinction in the War of 1812 and was instrumental in abolishing corporal punishment in the Navy. He experienced much anti-Semitism during his service, and as a consequence reflective of the time, had to fight many duels. Many of those serving with him thought that, as a Jew, he was unfit to hold such a high rank. Other Jewish-Americans that served during the War of 1812 were Commodore John Ordroneux and Captain Mordecai Myers.

Some highlights of the Jewish-American participation in the United States War with Mexico are:

Surgeon general David de Leon from South Carolina, twice took command of combat soldiers on the battlefield who lost their own commanders. He received a special citation from Congress for this heroic action.

Other combatants of this war include Colonel Leon Dyer, Israel Moses, and General David Emanuel Twiggs.

The Civil War and after: All wars are sad, but perhaps the Civil War was the saddest war in which Americans have fought. This war literally was brother fight against brother. The losses on both sides were tremendous, as both sides fought valiantly for the causes they believed in. Jewish-Americans, like all other Americans, shared in that tragedy on both sides of the field, both Americans fought in the Civil War, 8,400 for the Union and 10,000 for the Confederacy. Some highlights are:

Seven Jewish-Americans were awarded the Medal of Honor in the Union Army.

Several Jewish-Americans rose to the rank of general. Frederick Knefler, a volunteer private at the beginning of the war, was the first Jewish brevet major general.

Edward S. Salomon, who became governor of the Washington Territory after the war, was famous for his courage in the Battles of Fredrickson, Mainfordville, and *****sburg.

Philip J. Joachimson was a New York District Attorney who secured the first anti-slavery conviction. He was instrumental in organizing the 59th New York Volunteer Regiment. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the Regiment and was later promoted to brigadier general.

The banking firm of Seligman Brothers provided financial support to the Union Army during the war.

The same Surgeon General David de Leon that fought valiantly in the United States war against Mexico earlier was the first Surgeon General of the Confederacy.

Judah Philip Benjamin served both as Secretary of War and Secretary of State for the Confederacy.

The Army of the Confederate States of America (CSA) had at least 23 Jewish-American staff officers.

Captain Levi Myers Harby, Navy-CSA, distinguished himself in the defense of Galveston.

The first Jewish chaplain, Jacob Frankel, was appointed by Presidential order on September 10, 1862. Up to this time, the military only appointed Christian clergy as chaplains.

After the war the nation proceeded to heal its wounds. Unfortunately there were those that refused to recognize the contributions Jewish-Americans made on both sides of that war. As a response to unfounded statements that Jewish-Americans do not fight for their country, the Hebrew Union Veterans Organization was founded on March 15, 1896. This organization was a forerunner to the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America. The latter is recognized as the oldest veteran’s organization in America.

The Spanish-American War saw a total of 300, 000 Americans fighting. This was approximately 0.4 percent of the general population. About 5,000 Jewish-Americans saw service in this war, representing 0.5 percent of the Jewish population of the country. Among those Jewish-Americans who participated, there were 30 Army officers and 20 Naval officers. The 2 percent casualty rate of the war was similar to the Jewish casualty rate. Adolph Marix commanded the U.S. battleship Maine shortly before it was sunk. Jewish-Americans were also to be found among the “Rough Riders.” Jacob Wilbusky was the first to be killed in an early skirmish.

World War I. A summary of the war record of Jewish-Americans in World War I:

Total population of the United States in 1917: 103,690,473

Jewish population in the United States in 1917: 3,389,000

Total number in the Armed Forces of the United States: 4,355,000

Jews serving in the Armed Forces of the United States (approximate): 250,000

Percentage of Jews in the total population: 3.27%

Percentage of Jews in the Armed Forces: 5.73%

Distribution among services

Infantry: 35.7%
Artillery: 11.6%
Cavalry: 1.5%
Engineers: 4.2%
Signal and aviation: 6.5%
Ordnance: 2.4%
Quartermaster: 8.9%
Other branches: .6%

Casualties

Dead (approximate): 3,500
Wounded (approximate): 12,000

Commissioned officers

Army
Generals: 1
Colonels and lieutenant colonels: 94
Majors: 404
Captains: 1,504
Lieutenants: 6,000

Navy
Miscellaneous (including one admiral): 1,013

Marines
Miscellaneous (including one general): 161

Total; 9,177

Decorations

Congressional Medal of Honor: 3
Distinguished Service Medals and Crosses: 147
Other decorations, citations, and awards: 982
Total: 1,132

Source: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America

World War II. A summary of the war record of Jewish-Americans participants in World War II.

Total Population of the United States: 135,000,000

Total Jewish population of the United States: 4,500,000

Total number in the Armed Forces of the United States: 13,000,000

Jews serving in the Armed Forces of the United States: 550,000

Percentage of Jews in the total population: 3.33%

Percentage of Jews in the Armed Forces: 4.23%

Distribution among services

Army: 80%
Infantry: .7%
Other Ground Forces: 8.5%
Air Corps: 33.5%

Navy: 17%
Marine Corps: 2%
Coast Guard: 1%

Casualties

Dead (approximate): 11,000
Wounded (approximate): 40,000

Decorations

Medal of Honor: 2
Distinguished service Medals and Crosses and Navy Crosses: 157
Silver Star: 1,600
Other decorations, citations and awards: 50,242
Total: 52,000

About 60% of all Jewish physicians in the United States under 45 years of age were in the Service.

Multiple family contributions:

4 Jewish families contributed 8 members each

12 Jewish families contributed 7 members each

19 Jewish families contributed 6 members each

(These figures are approximate)

Source: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America

The saga of Jewish-Americans fighters continues to the present. Approximately 150,000 Jewish-Americans saw service during the Korean War. In Vietnam, about 30,000 Jewish-Americans served. Among them was Major General Ben Sternberg. Colonel Jack H. Jacobs won the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam. According to early figures complied by the National Museum of Americans served in the Gulf War. Out of an overall force of about 500,000, this represents approximately 2 percent of the force.

Adapted from ODCSPER's website, Directorate of Human Resources, Equal Opportunity Representative Course

Homepage Anti-Defamation League (ADL) StrHATE TALK Consulting Simon Wiesenthal Center
Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI)) Complaint Procedures Alternate Agencies Command Climate Survey
Course Dates and Information Register and Get Information for Senior Leaders Course Contact Your EO Advisor
Equal Opportunity Representative Course Information Consideration of Others Program Links to various Ethnic Groups
Ethnic Observances Forms and Publications Policy Letters Information on Various Religions of the World

03/11/04


Since it is my lecture, I might pick the topics as I pleased, but I was thinking that you might actually recommend me something for young boys and girls to learn (they are juniors).


look into th 1st of the 24th Infantry Regiment

"the Block house soldiers", "the Buffalo Soldiers"

Great Regiment, reactivated in 1999 as part of the 25th ID

in a PC move during the clinton years.

[mrfloppy]

I was thinking of telling the story of 369th regiment of 93rd Infantry Division

I would have recommended "Guns of August" by Barbara Tuchman as a good source to understand the Basics of WWI but I assume, that, being a teacher, you certainly made sure that your students understand the background and broader perspective of this war, before you start going into details, like the fate of some unit of the A.E.F.

"The Dough Boys: The Story of the A.E.F. 1917-1918", by Laurence Stallings, could have been a good reading to prepare for your lecture, but perhaps it is sufficient to collect material on the internet for your purpose.. :|

[Kriz]

Why don't you handle bout the interbellum ?? Perhaps it could be interesting to show the kids how bad negotiations after world war one sewed the future for another world war ??

[ronin2172]

i think it is real worthy that u want to show that minorities contributed to the american effort in ww1, a lot of people don't know about the 'Harlem Hellfighters' (and to be honest i didn't either until i saw a guy make a 1/6 scale figure)

92nd Infantry Division - Fought in France in WW I, and in Italy in WW II.

365th Infantry Regiment - Texas and Oklahoma
366th Infantry Regiment - Alabama in WW I and WW II it was activated at Ft. Devens, MA, a year before the outbreak of World War II, the as an all-black fighting unit with black officers, an unprecedented event in the history of the United States -- prior to this time, all of the black units had been commanded by white officers.
367th Infantry Regiment - New York
368th Infantry Regiment - Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Maryland In WW I was only one of the four regiments in the 92nd which had problems in combat.
93rd Infantry Division - Was to fight in France in WW I but the four regiments which would have composed this division were sent to help the French Army. The French didn't want to give them back so they fought the rest of the War attached to the French, and the 93rd Division was either not formed or fought at reduced strength. In WW II the 93rd Division fought in the Pacific Theater.

369th Infantry Regiment, "Harlem Hell Fighters" by far the most celebrated Black unit in WW I.
370th Infantry Regiment. In World War I soldiers of the 370th Infantry were awarded sixteen Distinguished Service Crosses and seventy-five Croix de Guerre. Called the "Black Bastards" by the Germans, the men of the 370th were mostly from Chicago and figured they were just as tough as the New Yorkers of the 369th. In WW II it was part of the 92nd Division rather than the 93rd and arrived in Italy in WW II ahead of the Division Headquarters Units and fought as the 370th Regimental Combat Team until the rest of the Division arrived.
371st Infantry Regiment In WW I consisted of men from Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Washington, D.C.
372nd Infantry Regiment

interesting stuff

[ronin2172]

another interesting tidbit....

Although there was obvious discriminatory treatment of blacks, and particularly of black officers, World War I saw the largest number of blacks in commissioned grades since the entry of blacks into the Army. The Black Swallow of Death

Although only 10% of all black Americans who served during World War I experienced combat, those who did served in all branches except aviation. One black American did see service as a combat fighter pilot in World War I, Eugene Jacques Bullard. Bullard was born and raised in the United States but emigrated at an early age to England and later to France in an attempt to escape discrimination. While in England he worked in various laboring jobs and trained as a prize fighter. He eventually became a professional fighter and fought all over Europe and the Middle East.

When war broke out in Europe in 1914, he enlisted in the French Foreign Legion. One of the regiments with which he served was known as the "Swallows of Death" and he became the "black swallow."

Having suffered serious wounds at the front, Bullard volunteered for service in the newly formed aviator corps. He was accepted and took pilot training. Upon graduation, he won a $1,000 bet from an American who felt blacks were incapable of learning to fly and joined his unit at the front. He flew many combat missions and is credited by some with downing two German planes, although neither is recorded in his official records.

When flying, Bullard's plane was marked with a heart pierced by an arrow with the motto: "All Blood Runs Red."

Though he eventually married and returned to the United States during World War II, his exploits have been generally ignored in this country
I got this from here....

http://unx1.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/AfrAmer.html

[Black Dots]

Why don't you handle bout the interbellum ?? Perhaps it could be interesting to show the kids how bad negotiations after world war one sewed the future for another world war ??

I have a real interst in WWI, so I've read a bit about it over the past year or so. Anyway, regarding the above quote, I would check out "Paris 1919." It's all about the peace conference and covers the perspective of all the nations involved, focusing especially on the major combatants. Great read.

[wiking]

Personaly i recommend "All Quiet On The Western Front" both the book and the movie is great.

[Black Dots]

Personaly i recommend "All Quiet On The Western Front" both the book and the movie is great.

Yeah that book is great! I read it when I was a kid and it turned me on to my current history addiction.

[Fioraon]

I remember in high school we learned about the great women of the Revolution, the great Africans of the Civil War, the great Africans of WWI, and the great Africans of WWII. I think it’s great that women dressed as men and did great things and that Africans despite racial injustice flew the best squad in the African theater but that was all that we studied. The great underdogs. Forget that there was a war going on or why it started or that it was a team effort or that both wars were products of our imperial ambitions (not so much American ambitions but our allies.) Why worry about that when you have a person with a ****** dressing like a man and Africans flying planes! I loved high school. woot

[Fioraon]

No doubt it is high school so you will be learning about the great Americans but if you are interested in educating your youngen with the axis cause feel free to take a peak: http://forum.axishistory.com/

[Laconian]

If you are doing an overview of the US involvement in WWI, I would shy away from individual ethnic groups involvement. I would offer that as a follow-up for those wanting to read/study further. Especially if you are trying to give a "1:the world" review of the war from the US perspective.
I would instead focus on the situation in the West when the AEF arrived in France (i.e. stalemate, the trench warfare & its impact, etc.), the difficulties Pershing had in getting the allies (esp. the French) to deploy the Americans as units instead of replacements.
The major battles of the AEF: The Meuse-Argonne Offensive, St. Mihiel, Belleau Wood, Chateu Thierry (please forgive spelling errors), etc.

I would also mention the impact of technology on the war (1st widespread use of the MG, airplane, tank, chemical weapons, flamethrowers, etc.). I would also mention Eddie Rickenbacker, Alvin York, Frank Luke, Patton (commanded the first US tank brigade) & MacArthur.

You may want to give the the total casualty numbers for the US involvement which are pretty high considering the AEF was on the ground only from April to November 1918 (Our losses are puny compared to French, British & other allies losses-but still very high for 8 months of combat). That will also give them some idea as for the backlashes that occur in the US post-WWI (the growth of isolationism (politically) and culture wars (jazz, booze, drugs & ***) of the 20s).

I hope you have a lot of time...there's a ton of stuff...Good Luck!