East Meadow in Nassau County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

African-American Veterans Memorial

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 25, 2017

1. African-American Veterans Memorial Marker

Inscription. Dedicated to the memory of

The Tuskegee Airmen
761st Tank Battalion
The Buffalo Soldiers

In grateful tribute to all those
Black servicemen and women who
served so honorably and valiantly
in all of America's wars
from the Revolutionary War to the present

Donated by William B. Thomas Jr.

Erected by William B. Thomas Jr.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Revolutionary • War, World II • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Tuskegee Airmen series list.

Location. 40° 44.018′ N, 73° 34.662′ W. Marker is in East Meadow, New York, in Nassau County. Memorial can be reached from Park Boulevard north of County Route 24. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: East Meadow NY 11554, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jewish War Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Catholic War Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The Four Immortal Chaplains (a few steps from this marker); Francis Cardinal Spellman (a few steps from this marker); Battle of the Bulge Veterans Memorial

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(a few steps from this marker); American Legion Auxiliary (a few steps from this marker); Still on Patrol (within shouting distance of this marker); The Silent Service (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Meadow.

More about this memorial. The marker is located in Memorial Plaza in Eisenhower Park, on the ride side of the path leading from Parking Lot 6 to the Veterans Memorial Tower.

Also see . . .
1. Tuskegee Airmen. Organization website (Submitted on August 2, 2017.)

2. Tuskegee Airmen. Wikipedia entry:
The Tuskegee Airmen is the popular name of a group of African-American military pilots (fighter and bomber) who fought in World War II. Officially, they formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces. The name also applies to the navigators, bombardiers, mechanics, instructors, crew chiefs, nurses, cooks and other support personnel for the pilots. (Submitted on August 2, 2017.)

3. 761st Tank Battalion (United States). Wikipedia entry:
The 761st Tank Battalion was an independent tank battalion of the United States Army during World War II. The
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 25, 2017

2. African-American Veterans Memorial Marker - Wide View
761st was made up primarily of African-American soldiers, who by federal law were not permitted to serve alongside white troops; the military did not officially desegregate until after World War II. They were known as the "Black Panthers" after their unit's distinctive insignia; their motto was "Come out fighting". The battalion received a Presidential Unit Citation for its actions. In addition, a large number of individual members also received medals, including one Medal of Honor, 11 Silver Stars and about 300 Purple Hearts. They have been called "one of the most effective tank battalions in World War II." (Submitted on August 2, 2017.)

4. Buffalo Soldier. Wikipedia entry:
Buffalo Soldiers originally were members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, formed on September 21, 1866, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. This nickname was given to the "Negro Cavalry" by the Native American tribes they fought in the Indian Wars. The term eventually became synonymous with all of the African American regiments formed in 1866...Although several African American regiments were raised during the Civil War as part of the Union Army (including the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and the many United States Colored Troops Regiments), the "Buffalo Soldiers" were established by Congress as
Toni Frissell, photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, 1945

3. Photograph of several Tuskegee airmen attending a briefing in Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945
Photograph shows several Tuskegee airmen attending a briefing. First row: 1. Hiram E. Mann, Cleveland, OH, Class 44-F; 2. Unidentified; 3. Newman C. Golden, Cincinnati, OH, 44-G; 4. Bertram W. Wilson, Jr., Brooklyn, NY, 44-E; 5. Samuel W. Watts, Jr., New York, NY, 44-E. Second row: 6. Armour G. McDemoe, Martinsville, VA, 43-A; 7. Howard C. Gamble, Charles Town, WV, 43-K; 8. Harr;y T. Steward, Jr. Corona, NY, 44-F; 9. Earle R. Lane, Wickliffe, OH, 44-D; 10. Wyrain T. Shell, Brooklyn, NY, 44-F?; 11. Harold M. Morris, Seattle, WA, 44-D; 12. John E. Edwards, Steubenville, OH, 44-C; 13. John H. Porter, Cleveland, OH, 44-C; 14. James H. Fischer?, Stoughton, MA44-G; 15. Wyrain T. Shell, Brooklyn, NY, 44-F?; Third row: 16. William E. "Porky" Rice?, Swarthmore, PA, 44-G; 17. Tony Weaver?; 18. Charles L. White?, St. Louis, MO, 44-C; 19. George Arnold Lynch, Valley Stream, NY, 44-F; 20. Samuel L. Washington, Cleveland, OH, 44-F; 21. Calvin J. Spann, Rutherford, NJ, 44-G; 22. Frank N. Wright, Elmsford, NY, 44-F. At Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945. (Source: Tuskegee Airmen 332nd Fighter Group pilots.)
the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army. On September 6, 2005, Mark Matthews, who was the last living Buffalo Soldier, died at the age of 111. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. (Submitted on August 2, 2017.)

761st Tank Battalion M4 Medium Tank image. Click for full size.

via Pinterest, unknown

4. 761st Tank Battalion M4 Medium Tank

<i>Buffalo soldiers of the 25th Infantry, some wearing buffalo robes, Ft. Keogh, Montana</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Chr. Barthelmess, 1890

5. Buffalo soldiers of the 25th Infantry, some wearing buffalo robes, Ft. Keogh, Montana

Photograph courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 345 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 4. submitted on February 8, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on August 2, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.