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 8-51: AG Memo for Office of SW et al., 10
Jan 47, sub: Designation of Race on Overseas Travel
Orders, AGAO-C 291.2 (6 Jan 47), WDGSP; Memo for
Rcd attached to Memo, D/SSP for TAG, 6 Jan 47, same
sub, AG 291.2 (6 Jan 47).]
[Footnote 8-52: Memo, SA for CofSA, 2 Apr 52, sub:
Racial Designations on Travel Orders, CS 291.2 (2
Apr 51).]
[Footnote 8-53: G-1 Summary Sheet, 26 Apr 52, sub:
Racial Designations on Travel Orders; Memo, CofS
for SA, 5 May 51, same sub; both in CS 291.2 (2 Apr
51).]
Not all the reforms that followed the Gillem Board's deliberations
were so quickly adopted. For in truth the Army was not the monolithic
institution so often depicted by its critics, and its racial
directives usually came out of compromises between the progressive and
traditional factions of the staff. The integration of the national
cemeteries, an emotion-laden issue in 1947, amply demonstrated that
sharp differences of opinion existed within the department. Although
long-standing regulations provided for segregation by rank only, local
custom, and in one case--the Long Island National Cemetery--a 1935
order by Secretary of War George H. Dern, dictated racial (p. 225)
segregation in most of the cemeteries. The Quartermaster General
reviewed the practice in 1946 and recommended a new policy
specifically opening new sections of all national cemeteries to
eligible citizens of all races. He would leave undisturbed segregated
grave sites in the older sections of the cemeteries because
integration would "constitute a breach of faith with the next of kin
of those now interred."[8-54] As might be expected, General Paul
supported the quartermaster suggestion, as did the commander of the
Army Ground Forces. The Army Air Forces commander, on the other hand,
opposed integrating the cemeteries, as did the Chief of Staff, who on
22 February 1947 rejected the proposal. The existing policy was
reconfirmed by the Under Secretary of War three days later, and there
the matter rested.[8-55]
[Footnote 8-54: Memo, QMG for DCofS, 15 Apr 47,
CSUSA, copy in CMH.]
[Footnote 8-55: WDSP Summary Sheet, 22 Jan 47, sub:
Staff Study--Segregation of Grave Sites, WDGSP/C3
1894.]
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