The Encyclopedia of African American Military History

Download or read book The Encyclopedia of African American Military History written by William Weir and published by Prometheus Books. This book was released on 2010-10-05 with total page 365 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Weir's work (over 300 entries) is one of the most complete on the subject. Much more than a record of indviduals and units, it includes, among other topics, battles, forgotten and famous; injustices and heroes; legislation and regulation; accidents and deliberate acts; medals and mutinies....Highly recommended. --ChoiceAn outstanding accounting of African-American Military 'heroes' in history. As a retired African-American 4-Star General Officer, I was very pleased to read about the accounts of those to whom I owe much gratitude and thanks for paving the way ! I was even more pleased to read about so many that I knew nothing about previously . This 'Encyclopedia' is must reading in the reference libraries for all Americans! --General [USAF-retired] Lester L. Lyles...No military historian's library should be without this book. --C.D.B. Bryan, author of Friendly FireThis is a very important, carefully researched book, which fills the gaping hole in our understanding of the heroic role of African Americans in the military history of our country. Though they were denied their rights to freedom and equality by our nation, their courage and patriotism in protecting those rights was extraordinary. - Bruce A. Morrison, member of U.S. Congress, 1983-1991Although African American soldiers and sailors have fought in every U.S. war from the War of Independence to the War on Terrorism, their contributions are rarely and, at best, erratically recorded in encyclopedias of American military history. Most Americans would be hard-pressed to name even a few of the many heroic black servicemen, who have distinguished themselves in the annals of military history. While a public figure like Colin Powell is well known, and many people are now aware of the black regiment depicted in the movie Glory, few have heard of David Lamson. When he was close to sixty years old, this African American captain of a small local militia successfully routed British reinforcements near Concord at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Even fewer know about the buffalo soldiers (as African American cavalry units were once called) who rescued Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders in the famous battle of San Juan Hill during the Spanish American War. This book is teeming with essential information that has been overlooked in other references.William Weir's Encyclopedia of African American Military History is designed to provide long overdue recognition to the outstanding accomplishments of hundreds of African American servicemen. More than three hundred entries will not only delineate the achievements of individuals and military units, but will also highlight important, often forgotten battles, wars, legislation and policy, organizations and movements, and historical incidents.Thoroughly researched and historically accurate, with numerous illustrations, this comprehensive and substantive reference work is written to be accessible, engaging, and informative for all readers.William Weir (Guilford, CT), an army combat correspondent during the Korean War, is the author of Written with Lead: Legendary American Gunfights and Gunfighters and A Well Regulated Militia: The Battle over Gun Control, among other books.