We Were There: Voices of African American Veterans, from World War II to the War in Iraq

by Yvonne Latty, Ron Tarver (Photographer)

Overview

The Greatest Generation meets Bloods in this revealing oral history of the unrecognized contributions of African American veterans.

Award-winning journalist Yvonne Latty never bothered to find out the extent of her father's service until it was almost too late. Inspired by his moving story -- and eager to uncover the little-known stories of other black veterans, from those who served in the Second World War to the War in Iraq -- Latty set about interviewing veterans of every stripe: men and women; army, navy, and air force personnel; prisoners of war; and brigadier generals.

In a book that has sparked discussions in homes, schools, and churches across America, Latty, along with acclaimed photographer Ron Tarver, captures not only what was unique about the experiences of more than two dozen veterans but also why it is important for these stories to be recorded. Whether it's the story of a black medic on Omaha Beach or a nurse who ferried wounded soldiers by heli-copter to medical centers throughout Asia during the Vietnam War, We Were There is a must-have for every black home, military enthusiast, and American patriot.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062269140
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	06/11/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	220
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Yvonne Latty is a native of New York City. She earned a B.F.A. in film/television and an M.A. in journalism from New York University before becoming a reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News and an adjunct professor of journalism at Villanova University. She lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

	Preface	xv
Part 1	World War II
	Leonard Smith, Army Tank Corporal, 1942-1945	3
	Margaritte Gertrude Ivory-Bertram, Lieutenant, Army Nurse Corps, 1941-1945	9
	Luther H. Smith, Air Force Captain, 1942-1947	15
	Thomas Hayswood McPhatter, Marine Sergeant, 1944-1946; Navy Reserves Cahplain, 1953-1959; Navy Chaplain Captain 1959-1983	23
	Waverly B. Woodson Jr., Army Medic Corporal, 1942-1945; Army Reserves Sergeant, 1945-1952	29
	Gladys O. Thomas-Anderson, Private, Women's Army Corps, 1944-1946	33
	James Tillman, Army Sergeant, 1942-1945	39
	James Hairston, Navy Steward, 1938-1960, World War II and Korea	45
	Samuel L. Gravely Jr., Vice Admiral, Navy Reserves, 1942-1949; Navy, 1949-1980, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam	49
Part 2	Korea
	Charles Armstrong, Army, 1945-1956, Sergeant, World War II; Lieutenant, Korea	57
	Stephen Hopkins, Army Corporal, 1950-1953	63
	Robert Yancey, Navy Cook, 1943-1947, World War II; Navy Reserves, 1947-1950; Army Sergeant, 1950-1971, Korea and Vietnam	67
	Julius W. Becton Jr., Army Lieutenant General, 1944-1983; Army Reserves, 1943, 1946-1948, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam	77
Part 3	Vietnam
	Norman Smith, Marine Sergeant, 1964-1967	85
	Elizabeth Allen, Army Nurse Corps, Captain, 1967-1969; Army Reserves Major, 1969-1982	91
	James Robbins, Army Lieutenant, 1966-1969	99
	Donald Rander, Army Sergeant, 1962-1983	107
	Olivia Theriot, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, 1959-1979	117
	James Brantley, Army Radioman, Specialist E-3, 1965-1967	121
	Marie Rodgers, Colonel, Army Nurse Corps, 1952-1978, Korea and Vietnam	127
	Alfredo Alexander, Army Private, 1967-1969	133
Part 4	Persian GulfWar
	Dariton Battle, Marine Sergeant, 1975-1995	141
	Janet Pennick, Army, 1974-1977; Army Reserves, 1977-1998	147
	J. Alexander Martin, Navy E-4, 1989-1991	153
	Lester Outterbridge, Army Private, 1968-1970; National Guard Specialist 4, 1988-1996, Vietnam and Persian Gulf War	157
Part 5	War on Terror
	Anthony LaSure, Air Force Captain, 1989-1999; Air National Guard Major, 1999-present, Operation Noble Eagle	165
	Eric Mitchell, Air Force Captain, 1996-present, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom	171
	Vincent Brooks, Army Brigadier General, 1980-present, Operation Iraqi Freedom	177
	Acknowledgments	183

What People are Saying About This

Mark Bowden

“Latty has collected scores of stories from black veterans...their commitment to their country is an inspiration to us all.”

Lorene Cary

“Thanks to Latty and Tarver for introducing us to men and women who staked their lives on our freedom. ”

Debra J. Dickerson

“We Were There is the story of...victory poignantly told by the victors themselves.”

Editorial Reviews

Excellent.... It puts the African American experience in the broader context of American military history in general.” — Booklist

“We Were There is the story of...victory poignantly told by the victors themselves.” — Debra J. Dickerson, author of An American Story and The End of Blackness

“Latty has collected scores of stories from black veterans...their commitment to their country is an inspiration to us all.” — Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down

“Latty’s attempt to elevate blacks in the military beyond mere footnotes in history is timely and laudable.” — Columbus Dispatch

“Thanks to Latty and Tarver for introducing us to men and women who staked their lives on our freedom. ” — Lorene Cary, author of Black Ice and The Price of a Child

From the Publisher

Latty has collected scores of stories from black veterans...their commitment to their country is an inspiration to us all.

Mark Bowden

Thanks to Latty and Tarver for introducing us to men and women who staked their lives on our freedom.

Lorene Cary

Excellent.... It puts the African American experience in the broader context of American military history in general.

Booklist

We Were There is the story of...victory poignantly told by the victors themselves.

Debra J. Dickerson

Latty’s attempt to elevate blacks in the military beyond mere footnotes in history is timely and laudable.

Columbus Dispatch

Excellent.... It puts the African American experience in the broader context of American military history in general.

Booklist