Why did the World War II service of the all black Ninety-Second Division become so controversial - Essay Example

Why did the World War II service of the all black Ninety-Second Division become so controversial?"  World War II was one of the most critical wars fought in the European front that literally changed the dynamics of the politics in the international sphere. All enlisted men ninety-first division were Negroes and that became controversial for many factors. First and foremost was the fact that all the men enlisted in this division were poor black individuals, who were illiterate and labor workers.

They possessed no official military training and were up against an army which had prior experience. The division possessed around 600 military black officers, most of them which came from the Southern states. The 92nd Division comprised of 12,000 officers, in which 200 of them were white and 600 black officers. A major flaw that plagued this division was the fact that racial and prejudice haunted the infantry. The whole experience for these black men was bitter sweet as no chance of error was given to these men.

Any training mistakes would be overblown by the media as the reports went back across the nation initiating a scream of hatred and racism. In essence, there was no respect for these brave warriors who were putting their lives in the front lines for their country. Regardless of all the criticism, the ninety-first division left an ever lasting legacy in the battlefront. In the Battle of Solerno alone, the division lost 25% of its men. The first black to win the silver in this division was known as Private Woodall I.

Marsh, of Pittsburgh, Pa., was the first Black to win the Silver Star in Italy. He obtained the medal by taking 12 wounded soldiers from the front line back to the base after it was deemed as impossible by the general. He also brilliantly displayed his bravery as he continued to attack the Germans in their frustrated attempt to kill him and his men. Another black hero that was honored was known as Vernon J. Baker, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, who served as a lieutenant. He won the Distinguished Service Cross for the bravery he exhibited in the battlefield.

Works Cited "NINETY-SECOND INFANTRY DIVISION." Home of Heroes. N.p., 13 June 1997. Web. 5 Aug. 2011.