December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy.
The United States of America
was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, they relocated all the Japanese from the West Coast.
I was there and I witnessed them interning them and taking them
out. It was a sad situation, it really was, because they were some good people.
With the United States largely devoid of equality for citizens of all cultural and
ethnic backgrounds, Charles Henry watched as Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor incited the
U.S. Government to place Americans of Japanese descent in internment camps across the country.
Though Charles was only a bystander,
he would soon encounter his share of obstacles on the road to equality.
I had just graduated from high school. I was 18 years old. I volunteered in June of 1944.
I wanted to be a paratrooper. That was my desire.
Not only was Charles eager to serve his country, he was determined to join
one of the most elite units the United States had to offer - the Army Airborne.
Even as Charles submitted his enlistment, the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions were dropping
into German-occupied Normandy on D-Day, part of the much-anticipated Allied invasion of Western
Europe.
Soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force,
you are about to embark upon the Great Crusade. The eyes of the world are upon
you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you.
But Charles’ dream of joining the fight to liberate Europe would not become a reality.
When volunteering for the Armed Services you are afforded the liberty of selecting the branch
of service you’d prefer. I asked to go into the paratroopers. The sergeant at that time told me,
“We don’t train negro paratroopers.” I looked at him in amazement. So, I asked a second time,
“What did you say?” He said, “We don’t train negro paratroopers.” No explanation why.
I was a little disappointed because, being born an American,
my expectations were much greater. But that’s the way the United States government was.
In those days, that’s the way the system was in the United States of America.
They sent me from that point from San Pedro, California to
Cheyenne, Wyoming to the Quarter Master Corps.
They assigned me to the Military Police Division, guarding Italian and German prisoners.
During the Second World War, the United States held some 175,000 enemy prisoners
of war in camps across the country. Not only did Charles stand guard over German POW’s,
but on many occasions, he got to know them personally.
That was a privilege to me, and I learned a lot by being assigned to that position as an MP.
Because the Germans spoke fluent English and they knew more black history than I did - and
I went to school in the United States. But it was amazing, and I learned a lot from them.
I had the distinct opportunity of meeting the Red Tails, the 99th Pursuit Squadron. They
called them “Red Tails” for identification purposes when they’re flying up there.
They all had R&R when they came back from Europe. They came to Fort Francis E. Warren
to rest before going home to Tuskegee. So, I had a chance to meet those gentlemen.
The 99th Pursuit Squadron of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, were a highly decorated African American
combat unit, a shining example of American perseverance,
and to Charles, a source of inspiration and hope.
Before long, the Second World War would come to an end. POW’s were returned to their homelands,
and Charles’ service in the United States Army was over.
In the years since the war’s end, Charles has maintained a positive
perspective regarding his limited service, choosing to always look on the bright side.
So by them refusing to allow me to go into the paratroopers,
they probably - in the long run - did me a favor. Because, today I’m still here at age ninety-three
to talk about it. And had I gone into the paratroopers, I’d probably be dust in France.
But in November of 2019, in recognition of his ambition and undying dedication to his country,
Charles was named an honorary member of the United States Army Airborne.
Seventy-five years after his enlistment, Charles Henry finally received his wings.
One thing my father did say - he never taught race. No, he said, “You’re a human being.
Don’t look at the color of a man’s skin.” He always taught that.
So, I look at you and - I smile at everybody. You may not smile at me,
but I’m going to make you smile and you’re gonna say hello to me.