French honor D-Day vet from all-black unit

[babylonsister]

:patriot:


French honor D-Day vet from all-black unit
By SUE LINDSEY Associated Press Writer


Jun 5th, 2009 | ROANOKE, Va. -- As a soldier in World War II, William Dabney was used to the military's segregated quarters. An African-American, he had no contact with his white counterparts.

Until D-Day.

Black and white soldiers stormed Omaha Beach together on June 6, 1944, Dabney recalled.

"When I landed, quite a few white guys were on the landing barge," he said. "There wasn't any segregation there."

But until now Dabney's all-black unit, the 320th, has received little recognition for its service that day.

Dabney, the 320th's last known survivor, is in France this weekend to receive that nation's highest award: the Legion of Honor. The Roanoke resident will be in Normandy for ceremonies commemorating D-Day's 65th anniversary on Saturday that President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy will attend.

more...

http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/us/2009/06/05/D98KLT500_us_d_day_black_soldier/index.html

[malaise]

1. Imagine fighting and dying for countries that don't

recognize your existence. That's why I love Rev Wright.

[babylonsister]

2. I'm just glad he's finally being honored, especially considering

he's the last soldier left from his unit. Finally, recognition!

[Gemini Cat]

3. Exactly! k&r

:patriot:

[babylonsister]

4. . Just because. nt

[newtothegame]

5. How bout French honor ALL D-day vets?

Why does race even have to play a part in this celebration??

:shrug:

[uppityperson]

6. They are honoring all d-day vets. This topic, however, is about 1 company

"Dabney, the 320th's last known survivor"

[struggle4progress]

7. Mr. Dabney was raised in Virginia, when any African ancestry whatsoever condemned

a person to separate and unequal treatment. Residential districts, schools and hospitals were segregated. Interracial marriage was illegal. In the 1920s, when he was born, the KKK marched through Virginia, and there were a number of lynchings in the state. He joined a segregated military -- in order to fight Nazi racism

http://www.jimcrowhistory.org/scripts/jimcrow/insidesouth.cgi?state=Virginia
http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Antilynching_Law_of_1928.

"... we were fighting two enemies: the enemy abroad and racism at home ..."
Last Soldier of a Forgotten Battalion Returns to the Beachhead
By BRIAN KNOWLTON
Published: June 5, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/06/world/europe/06iht-troops.html?em

...
“It’s going to make me feel real proud. I feel as though that we – African-Americans -- have come a long ways,” he said. “And it’s not only me, but it’s something that my grandchildren, my great grandchildren have seen already, and they are grateful" ...
US: Member of All-Black D-Day Battalion to Receive Overdue Honor
http://www.isria.com/pages/5_June_2009_134.htm