Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Felmers O. Chaney Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 377th Engineer Battalion
- Location of Service: Camp Douglas, Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah; Boston, Massachusetts; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; England
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/44449
From the time that he attempted to enlist in the military with a group of white friends, only to be singled out for rejection, Second Lieutenant Felmers O. Chaney felt the full brunt of serving in the segregated Army during World War II. After being drafted in 1942, he quickly rose up through the ranks to become the first African American officer to hail from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Though he could command white soldiers, this did not automatically entitle him to their respect, or to using their same facilities; arriving at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he was refused service in the officer's mess. During his service overseas in England, he marveled at the kindness shown to African American soldiers by the British civilians.
Interview / Recording
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PlayGoing to the enlistment office with a group of white friends from school; being turned down; eventually being drafted into service. 00:03:56.7 - 00:05:42.0
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PlayTruman reversing policy on black officers; becoming first black officer in Milwaukee; not being able to be promoted. 00:09:41.0 - 00:11:53.0
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PlayBeing denied entrance to the officer's mess; disrespect given to him by white enlisted men; his response. 00:13:56.5 - 00:17:09.0
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PlayShipping out to Newton Abbey, UK; well-treated by British civilians there; race relations between white and black soldiers stationed there; showing strength. 00:19:32.5 - 00:22:52.3
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PlayBeing taught to always follow the golden rule; interacting with German POWs; his experience with whites while growing up in Wisconsin. 00:36:10.5 - 00:41:34.6
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Secondary Interview
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About this Item
Title
- Felmers O. Chaney Collection
Names
- Chaney, Felmers O.
- Johnson, Willard R.
Home State
- Wisconsin
Headings
- - Chaney, Felmers O.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Black or African American
Status
- veteran
Service History
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World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 377th Engineer Battalion
- Location of Service: Camp Douglas, Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah; Boston, Massachusetts; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; England
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Dates of Service: 1942-1946
- Entrance into Service: Drafted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected 2006-05-02; 2008-09-05)
- Photograph: Digital print [1 item] -- Portrait (collected 1942)
- Video: VHS [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2006-05-02)
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003-08-13; 2006-05-15)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/44449
Cite as
- Felmers O. Chaney Collection (AFC/2001/001/44449), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video