20th Century Wars • Racism and Civil Rights

In 1967, following a speech in Lima, Ohio on history of blacks in the American military, I was asked by black World War One veteran to come to his home for war story. Once there, he handed me empty French wine bottle, explaining “I drank this in celebration of end of that long and bloody war!”

I asked him what the long black object was in bottle? With smile, he said “As out troops marched through small German towns toward war’s end, I noticed the German girls crowding in behind we black troops marching in back of column. They were pointing toward our backsides and chattering? I asked older black soldier what was up with those German girls? He laughed and informed me, having never seen in person any blacks, they have belief we have TAILS! So on way to next town, I cut tail off black cat killed during warfare, and pinned it to the back of my pants! Well, I can only describe the reaction by sharing with you, Jim some valuable information regarding German girls at the time… they just love, can’t resist men who have LITTLE BLACK TAILS!”

We both busted out laughing. I realized it was this sense of humor which was the ultimate survival tool of American black soldier!