Black WWII History Museum: Highlighting The Brave

Located less than two miles off Route 1 in Stamford, Connecticut sits the Museum of Black WWII History: or the organization’s collections, at least. This museum started as the passion project of Bruce Bird, a retired factory worker who turned his avid interest in military history into a full-time passion project. Today, Bird’s collection is the country’s only museum dedicated to the history of African American soldiers during WWII. The Black WWII History Museum’s Origins The museum traces its roots back to Vermont, where Bird previously resided and started his scholarship and the museum’s collection. When a back injury forced him to take a break from work, he used the time off to re-enroll in higher education. After earning a bachelor’s degree in History from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, he worked as curator at the Vermont Militia Museum. It was there that Bird encountered the history of African Americans in WWII: a relatively underdeveloped section of history. Bird quickly began collecting photographs and objects related to African American experience, using his retirement money to fund the project. It wasn’t long before he had enough material to create his own museum. The Museum of Black WWII History originally occupied a schoolhouse in Vermont, but low visitor turnout and high maintenance costs prompted Bird to relocate to Stamford, Connecticut. Once in Stamford, Bird hosted a series of fundraising efforts in order to build his collection a new home. While these efforts have not yet erected a permanent space, Bird’s collection is available to view through pop up exhibits and upon request. The African American Soldier’s Experience During WWII 1.1 million African Americans served in WWII; however, as Bird’s investigations had uncovered, their history and contributions are often underplayed in contrast to the narrative of white soldiers. Similarly, enlisted African American soldiers were subject to the same racial discrimination that they experienced as citizens. The military segregated blacks from whites. African Americans had different quarters for sleeping, eating, and socializing. Because racial stereotypes cast African Americans as unfit for war, those who enlisted often occupied menial jobs such as working in the kitchen or cleaning as opposed to being prepared for combat. Soldiers who did engage in military duty received different treatment than their white counterparts. At sea, they occupied the ship’s lowest hull, and received poorer quality food rations. While Bird’s collection raises awareness on the general conditions experienced by African American soldiers, it homes in on some specific historical accounts. These include the 761st Tank Brigade: the first African American tank battalion to not only see combat, but to go above and beyond the limits of what many soldiers experienced. Nicknamed “The Black Panthers,” the battalion’s motto was “Come Out Fighting!” And they did—this battalion sat on the front lines of combat for over 183 straight days, a period of time that extended far beyond the few weeks’ stay that most troops experienced. The battalion’s war contributions led it to be highly decorated, its performance overcoming both the obstacles presented by their race and the low expectations that the military held, as a collective, of African Americans. It’s almost famous for the fact that baseball player Jackie Robinson served in its ranks. Another exhibit explores the Tuskegee Airmen: the country’s first trained combat flying unit of African Americans who received hundreds of decorations for their skill and heroism in combat. These pilots trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama: an isolated area that accommodated the segregation laws in place at that time. The 992 men who successfully completed training went on to earn recognition for their actions in aerial combat and for their success in protecting Allied bombers on flying missions. Today, the Tuskegee Airmen have achieved a legendary status for their contributions to the war. Finally, another major exhibit is based upon the all female, all black 6888th Central Director Battalion. Going by the motto, “No mail, no morale,” this battalion of approximately 900 trained African American women worked in Scotland, England, and France to deliver mail. They too received recognition and honor for their efforts. The Black WWII History Museum makes an effort to remember and memorialize those who served with photographs, objects, and stories of individual’s who risked or sacrificed their lives, including current memorabilia. Take for instance Moses Hardy, an African American who served in both world wars and was listed as the 6th oldest person in the world before he passed. The museum’s website makes tribute to Hardy with links to news pressings, providing a virtual home for recollection until fundraising efforts, which previously included jazz concerts and other social events, can continue (they are on pause due to COVID-19).