Dear Yank (Magazine): “Myself and eight other Negro soldiers were on our way from Camp Claiborne, La. To Fort Huachuca. We had to lay over until the next day for our train. We could not purchase a cup of coffee at any of the lunchrooms around there. As you know, Old Jim Crow rules. The only place where we could be served was at the railroad station but of course, we had to go into the kitchen. But that’s not all; 11:30 A.M. about two dozen German prisoners of war, with two American guards, came to the station. They sat at the tables, had their meals served, talked, smoked, in fact had quite a swell time. I stood on the outside looking on and I could not help but ask myself these questions: Are we not American soldiers, sworn to fight for and die if need be for this our country? Then why are they treated better than we are? Then why does the Government allow such things to go on? Some of the boys are saying that you will not print this letter. I’m saying you will.” Cpl. Rupert Trimmingham April 1944 Trimmingham had been very religious until the incident mentioned in the letter. After the war, he worked as an electrician, repairing sewing machines for Singer, and married a librarian. He died in 1985.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 07:15:57 +0000
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