African-American Medal of Honor Recipients WW2
(1942-1945)



 

The President of the United States in the name of  the Congress takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor To:



First Lieutenant Vernon J. Baker

General Order:

Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 5 and 6 April 1945, near Viareggio, Italy. Then Second Lieutenant Baker demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in destroying enemy installations, personnel and equipment during his company's attack against a strongly entrenched enemy in mountainous terrain. When his company was stopped by the concentration of fire from several machine gun emplacements, he crawled to one position and destroyed it, killing three Germans. Continuing forward, he attacked and enemy observation post and killed two occupants. With the aid of one of his men, Lieutenant Baker attacked two more machine gun nests, killing or wounding the four enemy soldiers occupying these positions. He then covered the evacuation of the wounded personnel of his company by occupying an exposed position and drawing the enemy's fire. On the following night Lieutenant Baker voluntarily led a battalion advance through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the division objective. Second Lieutenant Baker's fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

Staff Sergeant Edward A. Carter, Jr.

General Order:

Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 23 March 1945, near Speyer, Germany. When the tank on which he was riding received heavy bazooka and small arms fire, Sergeant Carter voluntarily attempted to lead a three-man group across an open field. Within a short time, two of his men were killed and the third seriously wounded. Continuing on alone, he was wounded five times and finally forced to take cover. As eight enemy riflemen attempted to capture him, Sergeant Carter killed six of them and captured the remaining two. He then crossed the field using as a shield his two prisoners from which he obtained valuable information concerning the disposition of enemy troops. Staff Sergeant Carter's extraordinary heroism was an inspiration to the officers and men of the Seventh Army Infantry Company Number 1 (Provisional) and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

First Lieutenant John R. Fox

General Order:

Citation: For extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Sommocolonia, Italy on 26 December 1944, while serving as a member of Cannon Company, 366th Infantry Regiment, 92d Infantry Division. During the preceding few weeks, Lieutenant Fox served with the 598th Field Artillery Battalion as a forward observer. On Christmas night, enemy soldiers gradually infiltrated the town of Sommocolonia in civilian clothes, and by early morning the town was largely in hostile hands. Commencing with a heavy barrage of enemy artillery at 0400 hours on 26 December 1944, an organized attack by uniformed German units began. Being greatly outnumbered, most of the United States Infantry forces were forced to withdraw from the town, but Lieutenant Fox and some other members of his observer party voluntarily remained on the second floor of a house to direct defensive artillery fire. At 0800 hours, Lieutenant Fox reported that the Germans were in the streets and attacking in strength. He then called for defensive artillery fire to slow the enemy advance. As the Germans continued to press the attack towards the area that Lieutenant Fox occupied, he adjusted the artillery fire closer to his position. Finally he was warned that the next adjustment would bring the deadly artillery right on top of his position. After acknowledging the danger, Lieutenant Fox insisted that the last adjustment be fired as this was the only way to defeat the attacking soldiers. Later, when a counterattack retook the position from the Germans, Lieutenant Fox's body was found with the bodies of approximately 100 German soldiers. Lieutenant Fox's gallant and courageous actions, at the supreme sacrifice of his own life, contributed greatly to delaying the enemy advance until other infantry and artillery units could reorganize to repel the attack. His extraordinary valorous actions were in keeping with the most cherished traditions of military service, and reflect the utmost credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

Private First Class Willy F. James, Jr.

General Order:

Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 7 April 1945 near Lippoldsberg, Germany. As lead scout during a maneuver to secure and expand a vital bridgehead, Private First Class James was the first to draw enemy fire. He was pinned down for over an hour, during which time he observed enemy positions in detail. Returning to his platoon, he assisted in working out a new plan of maneuver. He then led a squad in the assault, accurately designating targets as he advanced, until he was killed by enemy machine gun fire while going to the aid of his fatally wounded platoon leader. Private First Class James' fearless, self-assigned actions, coupled with his diligent devotion to duty exemplified the finest traditions of the Armed Forces.

Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers

General Order:

Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action during the 15-19 November 1944, toward Guebling, France. Though severely wounded in the leg, Sergeant Rivers refused medical treatment and evacuation, took command of another tank, and advanced with his company in Guebling the next day. Repeatedly refusing evacuation, Sergeant Rivers continued to direct his tank's fire at enemy positions through the morning of 19 November 1944. At dawn, Company A's tanks began to advance towards Bougaktroff, but were stopped by enemy fire. Sergeant Rivers, joined by another tank, opened fire on the enemy tanks, covering company A as they withdrew. While doing so, Sergeant River's tank was hit, killing him and wounding the crew. Staff Sergeant Rivers' fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his unit and exemplify the highest traditions of military service.

Captain Charles L. Thomas

General Order:

Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 14 December 1944, near Climbach, France. While riding in the lead vehicle of a task force organized to storm and capture the village of Climbach, France, then First Lieutenant Thomas's armored scout car was subjected to intense enemy artillery, self-propelled gun, and small arms fire. Although wounded by the initial burst of hostile fire, Lieutenant Thomas signaled the remainder of the column to halt and, despite the severity of his wounds, assisted the crew of the wrecked car in dismounting. Upon leaving the scant protection which the vehicle afforded, Lieutenant Thomas was again subjected to a hail of enemy fire which inflicted multiple gunshot wounds in his chest, legs, and left arm. Despite the intense pain caused by these wounds, Lieutenant Thomas ordered and directed the dispersion and emplacement of two antitank guns which in a few moments were promptly and effectively returning the enemy fire. Realizing that he could no longer remain in command of the platoon, he signaled to the platoon commander to join him. Lieutenant Thomas then thoroughly oriented him on enemy gun dispositions and the general situation. Only after he was certain that his junior officer was in full control of the situation did he permit himself to be evacuated. First Lieutenant Thomas' outstanding heroism were an inpiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

Private George Watson

General Order:

Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 8 March 1943. Private Watson was on board a ship which was attacked and hit by enemy bombers. When the ship was abandoned, Private Watson, instead of seeking to save himself, remained in the water assisting several soldiers who could not swim to reach the safety of the raft. This heroic action, which subsequently cost him his life, resulted in the saving of several of his comrades. Weakened by his exertions, he was dragged down by the suction of the sinking ship and was drowned. Private Watson's extraordinarily valorous actions, daring leadership, and self-sacrificing devotion to his fellow-man exemplify the finest traditions of military service.


Personal Links*

Buffalo Soldiers

Civil War

62nd & 65th Regiments U.S. Colored Troops, with History & Soldiers' Names* Co-founders of Lincoln Institute, later Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO.

Preservation Issues, Black Missourians in the Civil War, Co-founders of Lincoln Institute, later Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO.

The Battle of Glasgow- Includes 62nd Regiment USCT. Pictures, maps and references. Excellent

"Additional Notes on the Battle of Glasgow on October 15, 1864."
New research and maps; Excellent

Mid-Missouri Round Table- This Civil War historical Web site presents detailed documented accounts of military engagements, with pictures, maps, and references, plus a calendar of association events. Excellent Site.

Palmito Ranch, The Last Battle of the Civil War: A Gentleman's Agreement Broken*

COLUMBIA CEMETERY Columbia, Missouri- The Columbia Cemetary could be the only known cemetary in Missouri in which United States Colored Infantry, Civil War Veterans are buried. You will find 31 graves from the following regiments; 2nd, 3rd, 11th, 13th, 18th, 54th, 56th, 60th, 62nd, 65th, 67th, and the 68th. They are in very poor condition.

Civil War Medicine- Excellent

War of the Rebellion Journal Contents (1880 - 1901)- The War of the Rebellion is a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies published under the direction of the Secretary of War. It includes all official General & Regimental communications.  Helps to know the theater of war, unit, month and year.

The United States Civil War Center-Thousands of links, including Native Americans

Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System

United States Army Military History Institute

The Louisiana Native Guards- Excellent Site

Black Civil War Soldiers of the Trans-Mississippi West

Union Army Regimental Histories


Cindi's List of African- American Sites

American Indians In The Civil War

Veteran Military Websites
Military & Pension Records for Union Civil War Veterans

Civil War Artillery Sites

Educational

Constitution of the United States-
Biographies of the signing and nonsigning delegates to the Constitutional Convention, Bill of Rights, and much more. Excellent

THE OVERLAND TRAIL: An Official Millennium Trail. This site is very comprehensive in its analysis of the everyday aspects of living and traving in the West. Excellent

Dive and Discover- Join scientists as they dive to the mid-ocean ridge thousands of meters deep. Excellent

eCLASSROOM-
Travel thirty-eight states by motorhome, and experience their wonder and history through interactive experiences. Excellent

50 STATES.com -
Complete information on each State

Project Gutenberg - Download pre-1923 classic books from the start of this century and previous centuries, from authors like Shakespeare, Poe, Dante. Titles: Sherlock Holmes, Tarzan, Alice's adventures in Wonderland, and thousands of others. Excellent

Library of Congress American Memory Lessons, Grades 4-12

Hperhistory Timeline -
Click on the 3,000-year timeline to access relevant maps, biographies and profiles of people, places and events. Excellent

Blue Web'n- A Library of Blue Ribbon learning sites on the Web. Excellent

The Wild, Wild West- This site provides a multiplicity of "Excellent" links.

EduScapes -A Website for Life-Long Learners.

Websites and Resources For Teachers

Los Angeles County Schools- K-12 Lesson Plans

VisionQuest

St.Johns K-12, Fl. SJCSD Black History Websites

Georgia Institute of Technology- K-12; Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing

Davenport Public
LIbrary


Online-Learning-
Learning Disabilities


Brothers Judd
A major source for good books, recommended reading, and tons of rated websites!


Educational Resources Information Center ( Ask ERIC) and Other Clearinghouses

POETRY- You'll find everything here.

Federation of American Scientists- Includes video clips and much more. Excellent

NASA- Photo Gallery; Excellent

NASA- Ask the Hubble Space Telescope team a question. Excellent

National Geographic- Excellent

A WWW Vitural
International Aborigious
People
-
Excellent site with excellent photographs.

Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators

Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Native American Tribal Colleges & Universities

Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities

Women's Colleges

Smithsonian Institution

Kidsweb

Kids Domain

Kids-online

Yaho0ligans-A Web guide for kids

Reach-it: A very useful site!

www.gmsp.org.

The American Veterinary Medical Association:
Animal health, safety, buying, pet loss, careers, kid's corner


Environmental Protection Agency-There is also a link for kids.

TeachersFirst

Search Engines-28*

Shareware & Freebees

Efortress


Scholarships

NAACP

CSUS LIBRARY- Offers a multiplicty of services including, online applications for more than 1,700 undergraduate colleges, as well as graduate programs.

National Achievement Scholarship

The Minority On-Line
Information Service
(MOLIS)

2001 Colleges, College Scholarships, and Financial Aid page

United Negro College Fund

The American Indian College Fund

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

www.hsf.net

www.gatesfoundation.org.

Genealogy

Afrigeneas Home Page

Amistad Research Center

American Historical Text Archive
-This archive, housed at Mississippi State University, is international in scope.

U.S. Colored Troops -
Contains the names of over 230,000 soldiers of the USCT.

New Orleans Public Library

Pennsylvania Department: African-American genealogy

Kentucky Department for Libraries and
Archives -
"Archival Reference Services", accepts certain written requests for genealogy searches.

Josephculligan.com Hundreds of sources

Government

The Constitution of the United States: Full Text


Pro-Handgun Control

Anti-Handgun Control


Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System Name Search-
I found my granfather by leaving out the Unit No. (or Ordinal) info.

National Archives and Records Administration

Genealogy & Soundex Locator

Ordering Pension & Military Records

Selected Civil War Photographs & Searchable Index

Library of Congress

The White House 

American Memory Library

Environmental Organizations
Web Directory-
This site has everything on the topic from restrants to
solar vehicles.


National Weather Service Local & World

The Federal Population Censuses

U. S. Census Bureau

David Schooley *
Major-Civil War (POW); Indian War-Captain of the 25th Infantry, Buffalo Soldier officer.


Cathay Williams, Female Buffalo Soldier *
With Cowboy poem, biography, documents, photo, and an analysis of her efforts to gain her disability and pension allowances.

Indian War African-
Americans & Indian Scouts Medal of Honor Recipients *


Sgt. Henry Parker, Ex-slave, Civil War & Buffalo Soldiers:* Personal & military documents.

Lt. Henry O. Flipper; *
First African-American graduate of West Point Military Academy and a Buffalo Soldier officer.


Colonel Charles Young; Third African-American West Point Academy graduate, and a Buffalo Soldier officer. * Revised with military and family photos.

Sancho Mazique; A Buffalo Soldier Remembered. *

The Buffalo Soldiers
at Fort Huachuca: Parts 1 & 2.
Includes Colonel Charles Young.

USS Buffalo Soldier AK-9301*
Naval Vessel

Seminole-Negro Indian Scouts:* Revised with photos & links.

Discovering Archaeology:
The War for the Plains
Excellent

Indian War Medal of Honor Recipients-All

Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients A-L

Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients M-Z - Includes Dr. Mary E. Walker, only female recipient.

Civil War African-American Medal of Honor Recipients:*
Revised text with photos

Spanish-American War Medal of Honor Recipients
*

WW1 Medal of Honor Recipients


World War II (A-F)
World War II (G-L)
World War II (M-S)
World War II (T-Z)
Medal of Honor Recipients


WW2 African-American Medal of Honor Recipients*


Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients


Japanese-American Medal of Honor Recipients*

Buffalo Soldiers & Indian Wars: Mini- Lesson Plan

Texas Parks & Wildlife: Community Outreach Project; Texas Buffalo Soldiers History. Excellent

Ninth & Tenth (Horse) Cavalry Association-The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Ninth & Tenth (Horse) Cavalry Association; An Official Army Unit Association. Excellent

African-American

The Emancipation Proclamation

Cavalry at Camp Lockett- San Diago Historical Society. History and photos of the soldiers and civilians set to defend the U. S. on its west coast. Excellent

Black Nurses in History: A bibliography and guide to Web resources.

Trenches on the Web-A major site on all aspects of " THE GREAT WAR". Explore all of the links. Discover Lt. James Reese Europe, famous leader of the 369th Infantry "Hell Fighters" band. Not a blood & gore site. Excellent

Black Cowboys

366th Infantry Regiment Veterans Association

The Tuskegee Airmen, George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington. Excellent

African-Americans in Motion Pictures-
History, Movies, Actors, Directors, Festivals, Academy Awards and much more. Excellent Site

Black History Month- Exploring African-American History

EverythingBlack.com

A Deeper Shade of History- Look at interesting facts for this particular week in black history.

Prominent Figures In Black History Buried At Arlington National Cemetery.

African-American Newspapers and Other Printed Media- Publications across the United States.

Soul Of America History And Culture

Smithsonian: African- American History And Culture

Academic Info. The American West: New
Western History


Cindi's List of African- American Sites

The Conquest of the West: Excellent Overview

American Veterans Confirmation Service

The American War Library

Black Entertainment
Television


Latino/Hispanic
Americans


National Council of La Raza

National Latino
Communications Center

LMCO Diversity-
Cultural Focus

Pathfinder

Latino Medicine

The Azteca Web Page

Indigenous Peoples of Mexico

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Society For the Advancement
of Chicano and Native American Science


Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs

College of Liberal Arts Language Center:
Learn Spanish

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

National Association of Hispanic Journalist.

Women's Resources

Soviet Women Combat Pilots, WW11
- Excellent

Distinguished Women of Past and Present: Biographies of women writers, educators, scientists, heads of state, politicians, civil rights crusaders, artists, entertainers, and others.

WASP ON THE WEB: Women Airforce Service Pilots; A site dedicated to sharing the history of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II, and shining a light on the inspirational stories of their lives before, during, and after WWII. Excellent

Infants & Children: Center and Disease Control

Adolescents and Teen Safety
: CDC

American Association of University Women


Women's Sports Foundation


Women's Business Center

National Science Foundation

Women’s Philanthropy Institute

Women's History Resources

Women World Leaders

POETRY You'll find everything here.

Women Warriors in the 20th Century: International In Scope

Military Woman Home Page

Military

Send a free
MARSGRAM message
to and from personnel aboard certain ships and deployed forces

Dept. of Defense: National Women's Month


Federation of American Scientists- Includes video clips and much more. Excellent

The Army Historical Foundation- To preserve the heritage of the American soldier. Excellent

Military.com-
Excellent

Spy & Espionage Intelligence
Hundreds of sources

Veterans Organizations
and Support Groups

International in scope


Official Web site of the United States Army

Official Web site of the United States Navy

Official Web site of the United States Marines

Official Web site of the United States Air Force

MilMail Members Search

General United States Department of Defense Information
BUFFALO SOLDIERS & INDIAN WARS* Topic Page Links.

Page 1

101st Regt. United States Colored Infantry* 

Cherokees-

The Seminole Nation Indian Territory-

Colonel Allen Allensworth

Five Civilized Nations

Union Pacific Railroad-

Treaty Of Medicine Lodge*

Cheyenne-Arapaho-

Comanches

Kiowa tribes

Brevet Major General George Armstrong
Custer, Lieutenant Colonel

General Philip Sheridan

General William T. Sherman

Page 2

Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 *

Chief Satanta

Chief Quanah Parker

Legendary Chiricahua, Chief Cochise

Page 4

Chief Gull

Little Bighorn

Major Reno's Account

Chief Crazy Horse's Monument

Lipan, 6th-8th grades- Excellent

Kickapoo Indians

Richard Henry Pratt- Controversial founder of Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Includes Hampton Insitute, the first non- Christian school accepting Native Americans. Excellent

Bibliography*

Native American

Ryder Collection, 362 Color paintings & photos of Native American scenes, and artifacts, with archival data.- Click on all paintings and photos to enlarge. Smithsonian Institution; Excellent

MAPS: Geographical Information Systems- Explores Native American lands, history, artifacts, current places, and much more. Excellent

Twin Territories, Oklahoma-Indian Territory Project.

Legendary Indian Leaders Speak

American Indian Treaties, Law and Issues

Legislative Impact:
This site provides up to the minute information on tribal issues currently in legislation.

The American Indian Page

Native American Resources

American Indians In The Civil War

The United States Civil War Center: Thousands of links, including Native Americans.

Bill's Aboriginal links-Provides a listing of international native sites. Excellent

Early Native Americans Texas Maps

ArtsEdNet

Japanese-Asian Americans

The National Japanese -American Historical Society

Japanese-American Veteran'association


katonk.com-Nisei, Military & Events

A History of the Japanese-American Internment

Chinese Culture Net

Chinese Language Information Page

Asian Studies WWW Virtual Library

The Center For Southeast

Asian Studies

Asian Art

Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association

Forts

Fort Clark, Texas

Fort Concho, Texas

Fort Davis, Texas

Fort Davis, West Texas

Fort Gibson, Oklahoma

Fort Griffin, Texas

Fort Laramie, Wyoming

Fort Larned, Kansas

Fort McKavett, Texas

Fort Scott, Kansas

Fort Stockton, Texas

International Light Horse Cavalry

The 61 Cavalry- The only unmechanised mounted cavalry regiment in the world. The genesis of modern polo.

Strathcona Museum Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Regimental Museum

Nintheenth Century British and Indian Armies- Very large
photographic and genealogical resource for 19th century British and Indian armies, soldiers, and
Anglo- Indians (India) families.

K Troop The New South Wales Lancers- Allies WW1&2

 
 











































































































































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