Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965MacGregor, Morris J.
History
Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965
MacGregor, Morris J.
African American soldiers; United States -- Race relations
[Footnote 6-18: Memo, Maj Gen Daniel Noce, Actg CofS,
ASF, for CofS, 28 Dec 45, sub: War Department
Special Board on Negro Manpower, copy at Tab J,
Supplemental Report of War Department Special Board
on Negro Manpower, 26 Jan 46, CMH files.]
Reconvened in January 1946 to consider the comments on its original
report, the Gillem Board deliberated for two more weeks, heard
additional witnesses, and stood firm in its conclusions and
recommendations.[6-19] The policy it proposed, the board emphasized, had
one purpose, the attainment of maximum manpower efficiency in time of
national emergency. To achieve this end the armed forces must make
full use of Negroes now in service, but future use of black manpower
had to be based on the experience gained in two major wars. The board
considered the policy it was proposing flexible, offering opportunity
for advancement to qualified individuals and at the same time making
possible for the Army an economic use of national manpower as a whole.
[Footnote 6-19: Supplemental Report of War Department
Special Board on Negro Manpower, "Policy for
Utilization of Negro Manpower in the Post-War
Army," 26 Jan 46. The following quotations are
taken from this amended version of the Gillem Board
Report, a copy of which, with all tabs and annexes,
is in CMH.]
To its original report the board added a statement at once the hope
and despair of its critics and supporters.
_The Initial Objectives_: The utilization of the proportionate
ratio of the manpower made available to the military
establishment during the postwar period. The manpower potential
to be organized and trained as indicated by pertinent
recommendations.
_The Ultimate Objective_: The effective use of _all_ manpower
made available to the military establishment in the event of a
major mobilization at some unknown date against an undetermined
aggressor. The manpower to be utilized, in the event of another
major war, in the Army without regard to antecedents or race.
When, and if such a contingency arises, the manpower of the
nation should be utilized in the best interests of the national
security.
The Board cannot, and does not, attempt to visualize at this
time, intermediate objectives. Between the first and ultimate
objective, timely phasing may be interjected and adjustments made
in accordance with conditions which may obtain at this
undetermined date.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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