Cspan 3 American History tv. Each week American History tvs reel america brings you archival films to take you on a journey through the 20th century. Produced by frank capra, the negro soldier is a 1944 documentary intended to encourage africanamericans to enlist in the u. S. Army during world war ii the film traces the history of africanamerican contributions to society, during war and peace. Beginning with the revolutionary war, then showing their work as teachers, judges, scientists, artists, musicians, athletes, and soldiers. In 2011, this 40minute film was chosen to be preserved in the National Film registry of the library of congress and was recently restored by the national archives. Since jesus came into my heart thank you soldier. My prepared text today was to have been make thy name be remembereded edin all generations. I think im going to from my prepared sermon. While i was listening to the sergeants solo, i kept looking up at our service flag. I was thinking of the men who serve us. I see some of them here this morning. Private roberts sergeant jackson. Lieutenant carter. And. Private parker. First class. First class is right. I was over at the uso the other night and i met somebody i hadnt seen in quite a long time. The last time i saw this man, well, one of my members treated me to a ticket to Yankees Stadium to see joe lewis. In 1 49 an american fist won a victory. But it wasnt the final victory. No, that victory is going to take a little longer and a whole lot more american fists. Now those two men that were matched in the ring that night are matched again. This time in a far greater arena and for much greater stakes. Max is a para trooper from the nazi army, men turned into machines challenging the world. Joe lewis training for the fight of his life. This time its a fight not between man and man but between nation and nation. Its a fight for the real championship of the world. The to determine which way of life will survive. Their way or our way. This time we must see to it that there is no return engagement. For the stakes this time are the greatest men have ever fought for. And what are the stakes . The american stakes. The german stakes. The bible of the nazis. The gospel according to hitler. Im not going to read all of this. But there are one or two things in this book that will interest you. I quote, what is denied to us, the german fist must take. If our forefathers had made their decisions by the same pacifist nonsense as the present day does, we would possess about a third of our existing territory. Further, he says, from time to time, the illustrative papers show how a negro has become a lawyer, a teacher, perhaps even a minister. It never dawns on the degenerate middle class america that this is truly a sin against all reason. That it is criminal madness to train a born half ape to one believes one has made a lawyer of him. This book was written 20 years ago. The plan which it foreshadowed has become a reality. And the nazis now instruct their disciples in terms such as these. We must strive by any means to conquer the world. Any methods are permissible. Lie, betray, kill. Kill and kill again. Kill the slobs, the russians, the poles, the czechs. Dont stop, whether you have an old man, a woman, a girl, or boy. Kill. We want to create our great german empire. We must exterminate everybody who stands against us. The liberty of the whole earth depends on the outcome of this contest. Americans have always guarded liberty. The seed took root in boston. In that city is the granary burial ground, 1660. Within this grounds are buried the victims of the boston massacre, march 5th, 1770. The first to die in the boston massacre was christmas adams. The longest freedoms calls the wise contend, dear to all the country, shall your fame extend, while to the world, the letters stone shall tell, whered a docks, gray, and maddock fell. He shot the fire heard round the world on bunker hill june 17th 1775, gun belong to peter salem, a colored man who carrieded it conquered and with it shot a major. And on Christmas Day 1776, when all but the bravest hearts had lost hope, prince whipple took his place alongside those who pushed on. In the winter of 78 at valley forge, George Washington wrote our soldiers have been a week without food. They are naked and starving. We cannot enough admire their unshakable patience and loyalty. Heres samuel payne. Thousands of others left their beating footprints in the snow. In this war the people of the new world won their independence. They joined hands and 13 colonies became the United States. Then the new republic began to build. Together they make territories into states. By 1812 a wilderness was becoming a great nation. Then came war. At lake erie Tyler Thompson heard the admirals words. We have met the enemy, and they are ours. And in new orleans, when general jackson said they shall not sleep on our soil Thomas Wilson was there. America began to feel a shift. Then came 1861. The government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from this earth. With malice towards none with charity for all. Then america began to rebuild. Ive been working on the railroad hello, boss. Hello, frank. Whats the matter, jim . Youre quitting. Man im going to houston. Yeah with the the ninth regiment. Jim fought in the spanishamerican war in santiago cuba the 24th and 25th infantry headed for new medal, courage. Im jim. Have to be after we cleaned up in cuba, we went on with building factories, cities, everything. As for me well, i went to panama. A little job connecting the atlantic and pacific. A little job. Jim wasnt there. But his sons were. Serving with the 813th pioneer regiment near marseilles. The 302nd battalion and eighth pioneer regiment. Fighting with the 8th illinois on the swason front. 372nd on the plains of francois. 331st at busey farm. 369th in the argon. 369th fought on the line of fire for 191 days. Not a man ever captured. Not a foot of ground ever lost. The First American troops to receive 369th. For action above and beyond the call of duty, many received honored medals. When they cleaned up in france the boys came marching home. Among them was henry johnson, who was one companion, needham roberts, killed four and captured 48 germans for which the french nation decorated them for exceptional bravery. And there were those among the honored at arlington. Samuel washington, walter watters, william fox, john simms, Young Charles young, colonel, United States army. And to their memory, sermon and stones and bronze. Tribute to a grateful nation to commemorate their heroism and sacrifice of all colored soldiers who served in the various wars engaged in by the United States of america. But a lasting record shall be made of their unselfish devotion to duty. And in france at busey farms, the french people erected a memorial to the 371st infantry. This stone in the ground on which it stands are dedicated to the negro troops who fought and died here on april 21, 1918. 23 years later o june 15th 1941, an invading german army. Yes, the nazis destroyed our monuments in france, but our monuments here stand and will always stand. The founder of tuskegee institute, booker t. Washington 18561915. He lifted the veil of ignorance from his people and pointed the way to progress through education and industry. The late George Washington carver, honored in the chemistry of agriculture and the men and women building the monuments of tomorrow, law, elected judge in new york city courts serving his second tenyear term. Explorer the only other american with admiral perry when our flag was planted on the north pole. Medicine leading new york city surgeon. Father of the blues, publisher, contributing to the war bond drive. Education. Principal of a new york city public school. Curator, sham berg, international prizewinning sculptor. Singer. Nn men and women in every walk of life, all trained and educated in schools likef[0n tuskegee all around the light opus will shine tonight when the sun goes down and the moon comes up we will shine our boys will shine the Olympic Games have begun. The best nations are represented here today. The six fasters sprinters in the world are getting ready. Owens, america. Metcalf, america. Owens is ahead. Metcalf comes up but owens wins at 10. 3. Victorious, america. Second, holland. Null null. Germany. Japan. And he is out, too. 2. 03 his high, 68. Ben johnson of america. First johnson, america, new olympic record of 68, a new olympic record. The tree of liberty has borne these fruits. Its a mighty tree with roots deep in the ground of america. Its fame has spread to the four corners of the earth. Men of every faith color and tongue have helped to nourish it and sow its seed in new ground. All men stand in admiration of it, except the nazis the fashionist and the japanese militaryists. There is not a man alive who does not know of the crimes of these adventures. In europe by order of the German Army High command thousands of men, women and children have been shot and hanged. In asia the there are those who will tell you that japan is the savior of the colored races. On december 7, 1941 gunshots ] the people of the world have risen in one great mass to bring to justice the ring leaders responsible for these crimes. And Americas Army and every branch of the service, artillery, tank, quartermaster engineer dont forget the infantry. Yes . My boys in the infantry. Hes up there. Third from the left on the bottom row. I got a letter from him last night. Hes an officer. Robert, de get to be an officer . Yes. He said so right here. Dear momma, at last its happened. Im an officer. Lieutenant Robert Bronson infantry. Dont it sound good . Of course, i havent got my bars yet, but im on my way to officers candidate school for four months, and if i pass the examination and graduate and get my commission, ill be an officer. Now, i can do it, momma. If i could go through those first 13 weeks the way i did, i can go through anything. That morning at the railroad depot, i didnt know which side was up but misery sure loves company. When i said goodbye to you, i was laughing, but i wasnt tickled. And the first thing i heard when i stopped, at some place in the middle of no place all right, men, on behalf of the United States army, the Reception Center here at this camp, were glad to welcome you here today and into the United States army. Were glad to see all of your happy, smiling faces. Fellows, during the first new days youll be with us here at this camp, youll be converted from a civilian into a fullfledged soldier. Youll be interviewed by someone who will inquire into your past life before you came into the army. Machinist on construction of gun and gun pocks. Thats right. What machines did you operate . I operated boring mills tool grinders, tool pressers, planes and fall in forward. Hut, hut hut. Pick it up, pick it up company halt. Fall out. I dont want to give you the impression its only for religious services and advice that you can come to the chaplain. You can come to him at any time. For example, if you g pl in trouble with your girlfriend and she doesnt write you anymore, you want to know how to propose, why, just come see the chaplain and hell give you some advice. Or if if you get in trouble with your first sergeant, you want to know how to handle him, just come around and see the chaplain and hell give you some advice. Or if youre financially embarrassed, thats simple, too. Just come around and see the chaplain and hell give you some advice. Our chaplain has just told you how to get along in this mans army. Its my painful duty to tell you what will happen to you if you dont get along. Regarding the salute men. It isnt a form of civility. Its merely a form of recognition used between members of the military service. The average man when he first learns the salute is awkward. Its a strange gesture to him and he feels shy. He usually sneaks his hand up in this manner and gives a brokenhanded salute or lowers his eyes gently and salutes like that. When you salute an officer bring your hand up to your forehead in a manly manner. Make sure your thumb is alongside your hand because if its out here they may misconstrue it. Then cut the hand to the side. Dont let it drop down like a dead fish. About face. Sit down. Tut your feet in the machine. 10 1 2. Put your foot in here. Stand up now. Pick up both weights. Put the weights back. Sit down. Step down put your shoes on and go in the next room. Next. Fall in men put every piece of civilian clothing you have into that bag. Now, when youre completely stripped and have everything in that bag, put on a set of summer underwear, a pair of shorts, a pair of white woollen socks. Try on your green herringbone brim hat. If it fits, place it in your barracks bag. Dont mind if its a little loose. But i made it. We all made it. They put us through so many twists and turns. We didnt know whether we were coming or going. But uncle sam did. We were going. We put us on the train that same afternoon for the replacement center. He can kept passing troop trains going back and forth all over the country. We finally arrived at a place called military secrets. But this much i can tell you, it was cold. And even before we had a chance to thaw out, they had us in the school of the soldier. The sergeant gave it to us straight. You sleep in that bed, youll make it. You wear them clothes, youll wash it. You walk on that floor, youll clean it. Theres no service here. You understand that . And i bet right now, momma, i can make a bed better than you can. But before i have a chance to get the bed warm there i was, in the beginning the new hands were all feet. Right face. Forward, hut. To the left, hut. Left mraing forward. Right plank, forward. Left forward. Left forward. Hup hup hup. Left forward. Left mraing forward. Right plank forward. Left forward. Left forward. Left forward. Hut, hup hut hup. Then came the crosscountry marching. Halt. Take a tenminute break. Fall out. It was tough. Hiking drilling tent pitching general orders, the tougher the day, the shorter the night. But you get used to it. And if you cant take it theyve got doctors. Some of the best in the country. Specialists in every field. And in our dental clinic, we have a but even sew, this is one kind of drilling no soldier likes. But after all the making beds and peeling potatoes and drilling and marching they give you a rifele and teach you to shoot it. In no time at all, i could hit the broadside of a barn. It was fun. Its not all work. Theres football baseball boxing and oh yes, ping pong. If you want to read, theres a library. Can you imagination me listening to poetry . But it came in good. The very next day i got a chance to use it. We were sent on a detail to a nearby camp. I saw some soldiers that was beautiful to behold. Hut. Forward hut. Hut two three, four. Hut, two, three, four. Hut, hut. Hut, two, tree, four. Left face. And youd better tell uncle everett to quit joking about the wics because these girls have gotten to know trucks better than hell ever know. The next day was saturday night. Shupz have you news accidents are of are are of. She was very nice. A real apple girl. Just the right size. Just the kind you like. But in the army, man proposes and g. I. Disposes. Fall out and the next morning i was out there like the rest of them. Getting tough. In this mans army, they want you to be tough. Tough, and i mean tough. A toughened army means a good fighter who can strong up to an enemy and beat him to the draw. And after a hard week, a soldier welcomes a sunday. Holy holy holy this morning i have a g. I. Report. I think youll all be interested in. This is an official statement from the war department. In the present world war, there are more than five times as many men with High School Education in our armed forces than were in world war i. This has meant an increase in officer candidates. Official figures tell us in the present war, there are three times as many colored officers as in world war i. From a score of different schools, many have earned their commissions and taken their place alongside those who come from any one of the rotc schools and the greatest of all military institutions, west point. Momma the next time you see me, ill be wearing an officers uniform. Getting ready to get in there and get this war over with. Thats a promise. Your loving son, robert. Thank you, mrs. Bronson. Thats a promise millions of americans have made, thousands have put it into action. And every camp, men are getting their final workout. At tuskegee, more pilots are earning their wings. In a short while, these young officers will be fullfledged combat flyers. Taking their place at the controls of our fighter planes. High above their native land they fly. What a surprise the nazis will get in black brown, yellow and white men, all americans land on the airfields of berlin and tokyo. In the far north, seasoned soldiers are toughening themselves, for they know in a fight that is all evil, truth must be ready. Ready to strike hard and often. No waiting for weather or temperature. Any weather can be good weather. Any temperature can be right. When men know the meaning of their job and are determined to get it done. And the men we knew as tailors printers, bricklayers cooks entertainers carpenters, bell boys, school teachers, farmers are today soldiers in a modern army. Tank men gunners radio operators and motor mechanics. Every man schooled in the meaning of teamwork. Every man qualified to replace any of his teammates at any time. Every man ready to do his share. The engineers the fighting builders ready to build bridges highways railroads, ports, landing fields. Quartermaster, who moves troops and supplies who provide food, fuel and clothing. The men who supply the means of communication, telegraph, telephone and radio. The cavalry ready to patrol, scout, harass. V the Tank Destroyer ready for swift and decisive action. Hardhitting antiaircraft, ready to knock zeros and messerschmitts out of the skies. And the infantry men, the backbone of the army. This training has met the acid test of war. Across the pacific across the atlantic, the shadow of defeat hangs over the axis partners as the allies liberate town after town. But the job isnt finished. This is only the beginning. To win the final victory over germany and japan our blows must be dealt harder and faster and with all our strength, there can be no letup in the false supplies. More and more food equipment and ammunition must reach our troops in the battle areas. More airports, landing fields, docks, bridges and roads must be built. Our troops must build them through the swamps of the south pacific. The snows of the far north. Over the mountains of india and across the rivers of europe. Build them in record time. And under enemy fire. Build them right into the heart of berlin and tokyo. Robert brooks, collin kelly meier lavigne dori miller soldiers who knew no fear. Men who would defend even unto death the land of their burden, soldiers who believed in this great country. To the enemy, our country is something to destroy our homes, our right to worship god, our little belongings. Something to crush to shackle, to plunder. Oh, god, we thank you for this land which our fathers have helped to build. Grant that we may with your help be worthy of this heritage. And in our turn, enrich it for our children. So that government of the people by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth. Soldiers marching off to war svn with the light of freedom going on before when the nation calls on men to march our men are tired and blue come and so will you when you hear them pounding down the land on the plains in the battle of Jericho Jericho march to the battle of jericho when the walls come tumbling down my country tis of thee this land of liberty of thee i sing jj youve been watching a special presentation of our reel america series. Join us every sunday at 4 p. M. Eastern for more archival industries. Watch as these films take you on a journey through the 0th century. Thats reel america every sunday at 4 p. M. Eastern here on on American History tv. On cspan3. And wed like to tell you about some of our other American History programs. Join us every saturday at 6 p. M. And 10 p. M. Eastern for a special look at the civil war. Well bring you to the battlefields, let you hear from scholars and reenact tors and bring you the latest Historical Forum on the subject. Again, thats programs on the civil war every saturday at 6 p. M. And 10 p. M. Eastern on American History tv. Wed like to hear from you. Follow u
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