Veterans recall time in groundbreaking WWII unit

Web-posted Nov 11, 2004

'Black Panthers' battalion consisted of black soldiers drafted into war effort

By CAROL HOPKINS

Of The Daily Oakland Press

When Rufus Taylor and Gloucester Stephens were soldiers traveling on troop trains during World War II, Army officials would pull the shades so they wouldn't be seen.

"They didn't want white people to see us on those trains," Taylor, 91, said, noting a fear existed then that people might throw bricks into the train.

On this day set aside to honor veterans for their service, the two African-American veterans of World War II look back on the years of their service with mixed feelings - but they feel times are changing for the better.

Taylor and Stephens, 79, both of Pontiac, served with the 761st Tank Battalion, also known as the "Black Panthers," a unique unit of young black men drafted to fight in the war.

The 761st fought in six European countries and participated in four major Allied campaigns, enduring a casualty rate of nearly 50 percent. In recent years, it has begun to receive long overdue credit.

Records indicate the unit - whose motto was "Come Out Fighting" - captured, destroyed or aided in the liberation of more than 30 towns, several concentration camps, four airfields, three ammunition supply dumps and thousands of weapons.

Taylor, drafted in 1941, worked as a vehicle mechanic and Stephens, drafted in 1943, was assigned to supplies.

The 761st experienced 183 days of combat in Europe during the fall and winter of 1944-45. Instead of fighting on the front line for two months before rotating out, the 761st was kept on the front line for six months.

"No other groups did that," said Stephens, seated in Taylor's den, a mile from his own home.

Stephens said his unit faced intense racism. Some soldiers in the racially segregated Army wanted to "wipe out the unit."

Taylor nodded. "At the time, the perception was the Negro soldiers were not intelligent enough to man artillery trucks and machinery operated in the war, but we proved we were."

One man who welcomed the first black armored unit was Gen. George Patton. Taylor clearly remembers Patton addressing his company in Europe:

"He came to us in an open field and stood up on a half-track (vehicle). He said, 'I don't care what color you are, as long as you can go out there and, excuse me, kill those German SOBs.' "

Taylor chuckled, "He always used a little profanity. We thought a lot of Patton. He was always up in front of us, not behind."

Taylor's most vivid memory of the battlefield was a day he had to help move five dead soldiers out of a tank, victims of a nearby explosion.

"Blood was coming out of their noses and ears, but they were all just sitting right in position," he recalled, "just like nothing had happened. I had nightmares after that for a long time."

That incident led to soldiers leaving hatches open to eliminate the pressure.

Stephens still questions whether German prisoners of war were treated better than black soldiers by the U.S. military.

He recalled a concert when singer Lena Horne performed for the troops. When she saw German prisoners seated in the front and the black American soldiers in the back, "She walked out," he said.

The men - who both returned to Pontiac to live after the war, and wound up working in a General Motors plant - do say recognition of their war service has increased in recent years.

Taylor pointed to NAACP awards.

Stephens said when alumni of the 761st hold reunions, host cities often roll out the red carpet.

This week, officials at the Warren-based U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command honored the veterans with a tour and short ceremony.

"So many people think African Americans were just support units in the war," said Oakland Circuit Judge Fred Mester, who helped arrange the tour. "These were men who fought bravely and with courage."