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fy . 7 Plea From Africa’s Combat Zoné "Dear Sir: We, the Negro soldiers 2f America, are engaged in a war for freedom and democracy. We have a to do—not alto- ether from the soldieri zg standpoint—we are also confronted with jimcro.” We realize at we are not here on a pleasant trip but we are here to help win the war. How can we do this when so many of our officers are of the opposite race? We had an officer in the 28th Quartermaster Regiment who soid: “I have been in the outfit with n——r soldiers for one year, and I have not yet understood them. | must say that I am Hired of being with them and I don’t like them.” This report presented before the General who commanded white and Negro soldiers, resulted in the officer being relieved from the company where he was First Lieutenant, and promoted to Adjutant of the same regi- ment with the rank of Captain. What do you call that? I will also mention this. A few days ago one of our regiment officers threw a brick at a soldier in his command, saying, “If you say one word I will court martial the h-— out of you.” Then he shook the soldier, daring him to talk back or lift a hand to defend himself. This is what we go through every day of our lives. Over here in the theater of operation, certain places are barred to us with “White Only” signs across the doors. We have had white American soldiers to spit in cur feces since we have been overseas. What could we do? soldiers were armed with machine guns and we had nothing to protect ourselves. One or two of our soldiers have been killed for ndthing by white APs. We realize this is war. We have bad nine months of combat - duty,—nine months in living hell. One thing I ask in behalf of all the soldiers in this organization—for some leading Negro to investi- ate our conditions. I might be court-martialed for writing th t it is okay with me—I am willing to die for justice and equali For all the men of this organization- CPL, JOHN MARSHALL, 28th Quartermaster Regiment. PEOPLE'S VOICE May 29, 1945 CR ROE EEE Ss eo 7 gh wm ao Pray > ‘ne . a “Ts ee ae . . . 4 rf E . eh pian { t | | x . . . -! a