In honor of Memorial Day, this week will be all about little known facts of African-Americans in the Military focusing on World War II. Today however, we will begin by celebrating the first African-American to tour with the USO and entertain the troops.
Singer and actress Lena Horne never wore an Army uniform, but to World War II soldiers, she was a hero — one who helped the war effort with her artistry while fighting racism inside and outside the armed forces.
Americans admire Horne for her stunning beauty, haunting voice and spectacular performance in the 1942 Broadway musical “Stormy Weather,” which became a motion picture and featured her signature song. To American soldiers, Horne is a superstar who worked hard to enrich their limited leisure time, often traveling on short notice, without ever losing her aura of elegance and dignity.
“She was the only pinup girl for black soldiers,” said Horne’s daughter, Gail Buckley, in a telephone interview. “She hated it that she was the only one, but she did her best to make everyone’s life better.”
Horne’s 1942 movie contract with MGM Studios contained a clause that forbade producers from casting her in stereotypical black roles. Just as Horne wanted black actors to be treated with respect, she wanted black soldiers to be given equal opportunity in the Army.
Like much of American society, the Army was segregated throughout World War II. Horne agreed to perform with USO troupes only after winning a guarantee that black soldiers would be permitted to attend her performances. Her decision was a sign that times were changing. Like many, Horne believed segregation would not outlast the war by more than a few years. (President Truman issued an order integrating the armed forces in 1948).
Horne often tells of an incident at an Army camp during the war. Arriving to entertain troops, Horne noticed black soldiers were required to sit in the back row. Among the white faces in the front were men in an unfamiliar uniform. An officer explained to Horne that the men were German prisoners of war.
Infuriated that prisoners were given better seating than black American soldiers, Horne cut her performance short and lodged a complaint. Most sources say the incident occurred at Fort Riley, Kan., in 1943. But Buckley believes the location was an Army post in Arkansas. The incident caused Horne to be ousted by the USO, but she always had a warm welcome from troops.
“A USO-sponsored junket to Camp Robertson, Arkansas, stopped Lena in her tracks She was scheduled to give two performances, one for the white officers, and one for the black men. She was surprised as she glanced out at the audience in the pre-show darkness at the second performance, however, to see the first two rows of white faces. “Who are these soldiers,” she asked. “They’re not soldiers, they’re German war prisoners” was the reply. “But where are the Negro soldiers?” Lena asked. “They’re sitting behind the German POWs,” was the answer. To that Lena replied, “screw this!” and walked out of the auditorium to find her black driver and say, “Take me to the NAACP!” The NAACP’s lone Little Rock representative was a woman, Daisy Bates, future heroine of the 1950’s Little Rock school crisis. After Lena and Daisy Bates drafted a statement of protest regarding Camp Robertson Lena returned to Hollywood and hot water. She was censured by the USO and was kicked out but continued to visit
black army bases at her own expense.”
“We knew she was the real thing,” said retired Col. Harry Sheppard, 84, of Annandale, Va., an Army private when Horne visited troops at Tuskegee, Ala., in 1943.
“When she came to entertain us, it was an enthusiastic type of audience. She was a name in those days. Down in the South where we were training, we couldn’t mingle much, so any entertainment was a big boost. She made a point of giving us a full program. She insisted that we be treated with respect.”
One of Horne’s popular songs, “Honeysuckle Rose,” was highlighted in “G.I. Journal,” a short Hollywood film made in serial form for soldiers overseas. And in May 1943, Horne was called upon to christen the George Washington Carver, a Liberty ship for the Merchant Marines.