Existing comment:
The Freeman Field Mutiny:
The Summer of 1944 was marked by race riots that took place around the United States. This included Detroit, Michigan which was located near Selfridge Field where the 477th BG trained. In May 1944, the 477th BG was suddenly moved from Selfridge Field in Michigan to Godman Field near Fort Knox in Kentucky. Many believed that the War Department moved the unit south to minimize the influence of a black population demanding better treatment. The morale of the 477th BG had already suffered from the segregationist policies of its white commander, COL. Robert R. Selway, Jr. who with the support of his commander Major General Frank O'Driscoll Hunter enforced a system of strict social segregation. This was done despite Army regulations which forbade such practices.
The morale of the unit suffered another blow as Godman Field was totally inadequate to support the type of training required to prepare the unit for combat. To facilitate training of the 477th BG the decision was made to move to Freeman Field near Seymour, Indiana. The 477th BG began the relocation to Freeman Field on 1 March 1945. When it became apparent to the black officers of the 477th BG that the commander, Col. Selway, intended to continue his practice of social segregation by establishing separate officer clubs for black and white officers, the black officers decided to take action.
On 5 and 6 April 1945, a small group of black officers entered the club designated for exclusive use by white officers. This action resulted in 61 black officers being placed under arrest and restricted to quarters. Charges were dropped for all but three officers including 1LT Roger C Terry who was accused of shoving the Officer of the Day (OOTD). Shortly afterwards a revised base regulation was issued regarding general use of the officers clubs, which all black officers were ordered to read and sign. 101 officers refused to sign the document. As a result they were placed under arrest. Under pressure from various organizations and the United States Congress, the War Department dropped charges against these 101 officers on 23 April. However they did receive letters of reprimand from Major General Hunter. The three officers accused to showing the Office Of the Day were tried in a military court. Two were acquitted but 1LT Terry was found guilty of jostling the Officer of the Day and dishonorably discharged. In 1995, all of the black officers were vindicated when the Air Force began to remove the letters of reprimand from the files of the 101 officers involved in the protest. Roger C Terry received a full pardon and restoration of rank. |