Third Army Louisiana Maneuvers, Camp Polk, La. awaiting the firing order from the Army’s latest Handi-talkie radio, this anti-tank crew stands ready to roll. L to R: Pfc. Theodore Estorge, Houstonville, N.Y.; Pfc. Phillip Glover, Gurdon, Arkansas; Cpl. Lester Levine, Brooklyn, N.Y. 4/18/43. 93rd Division Headquarters. Company.
The 93rd Infantry Division was founded when the United States entered World War I in 1917. Known as the 93rd Division (Provisional), it was composed of African American regiments from State Guard units from New York, Illinois, and Ohio and an African American regiment created from draftees primarily from South Carolina.
Although the regiments of the 93rd were part of the American Expeditionary Force, they served primarily with the French Army and were issued French equipment. This led to the division using a blue French Adrian Helmet patch to signify its service with the French Army before the end of the war.
When World War I ended, the 93rd was deactivated with its units, either reverting back to their State Guard status or being deactivated. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. Army authorized the raising of combat divisions comprised primarily of African American soldiers. Although initial plans included four divisions made up of African American soldiers, only two would be created with a third being formed from the restructuring of an existing division.
On May 15, 1942, The 93rd Infantry Division, the first of the three Black combat divisions, would be activated.
The Division was reactivated on May 15, 1942 and comprised the following units.
The division would comprise approximately 15,000 to 16,000 men. The enlisted men were African American as were many of the junior officers (2nd Lieutenant to Captain). However, many of the senior officers including the Battalion, Regimental and Division Commanders were white.
Third Army Louisiana Maneuvers, Camp Polk, La. Signal Corps men bury telephone wires of Red Army under roadbed. In Jeep – Pvt. George Williams, Parkersburg, W.Va.; with pick – Sgt, Rodney R. McCain, Evanston, Ill.; and Pvt. Clint Jones, Arkadelphia, Arkansas. 4/19/43. 93rd Division Headquarters. Company
Third Army Louisiana Maneuvers, Camp Polk, La., Pvt. Clarence Jones, North Birmingham, Alabama, in slit trench with an M1 carbine, “On the Alert”. 4/17/43. Battery A, 594th Field Artillery Battalion, 93rd Infantry Division.
All of the photos are courtesy of the U.S. Army’s Center for Military History and the Signal Corps.
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