Geographic / Mass. / Fort Devens; HAV-01-403-Z-E-407
GUSN-357234
Framed photograph of 94 unidentified officers of the 366th Infantry in Fort Devens, Massachusetts, on May 14, 1941. The photograph is black and white and measures 9 1/4 x 26 inches. All individuals pictured are dressed in uniform. The majority of the officers are Black, although a small number of those pictured appear to be white. Along the bottom of the image, the following title reads: "OFFICERS OF THE 366th INFANTRY -- FORT DEVENS, MASS., MAY 16, 1941." A purple sticker on the verso of the frame reads: "Cohen's / POPULAR PRICE / PICTURE STORE / 1227 G. St. N. W. / WASHINGTON, D.C."
wars
war photography
infantries
officers (military officers)
military bases
black-and-white photographs
group portraits
black-and-white photographs
OFFICERS OF THE 366th INFANTRY -- FORT DEVENS, MASS., MAY 16, 1941
Cohen's / POPULAR PRICE / PICTURE STORE / 1227 G. St. N. W. / WASHINGTON, D.C. (Applied)
1 framed photograph : black-and-white ; 9 1/4 x 26 inches
PC001
General photographic collection
2021
PC001.01.01.USMA.015.001
1941 May 16
Fort Devens (Worcester county, Massachusetts)
Washington (DC)
black-and-white photographs
Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972
Military
Photograph
African-American soldiers
African American men
World War II
Face of photograph has some tears and general wear due to lack of glass in frame. Back of frame is heavily damaged. The image was photographed in the frame and subsequently removed. The sticker on the verso of the frame will be cut out and preserved along with the photograph.
Item
Geographic / Mass. / Fort Devens; HAV-01-403-Z-E-407
English
The 366th Infantry Regiment was a segregated, all African American unit of the United States Army. The unit served in both World War I and World War II. In World War II, all of the officers and troops within the unit were black. However, their field grade officers (major or above) as well as company grade officers (second lieutenants, first lieutenants, and captains) were white. The United States military did not desegregate until 1948, when then president Harry Truman issued Executive Order 9981. This order abolished discrimination in the United States Armed Forces.
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