Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Audio Recording Isaiah A. McCoy, Jr. Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945; Korean War, 1950-1953
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 93rd Infantry Division; 300th Field Artillery, I Corps
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/2503
Drafted six months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Isaiah McCoy was determined not to allow racism impede his ambitions to become an Army officer. He had grown up in Connecticut and was shocked at how casual and institutionalized prejudice was in the many bases in the South. A second stint in the Army took him to Korea for that war, and he found conditions for black soldiers had improved remarkably. Although he fell short of his ambition to become a general, McCoy is happy to have paved the way for other members of his race to aspire to that goal.
Isaiah A. McCoy, Jr. Collection
Interview / Recording
Share
-
PlayDealing with racial prejudice; identified as a northerner who didn't know his place; black soldiers who would take orders only from white commanders. 00:09:23.1 - 00:16:01.6
-
PlayOne of three black men in his class at Officers Candidate School; a memorable train ride in Jim Crow car; black officers not allowed to command white troops. 00:16:59.8 - 00:24:55.1
-
PlayIn command of a unit on an island in the South Pacific; boredom of little activity; his disillusionment with army; improved conditions on his return to service. 00:48:29.1 - 00:52:53.4
More Resources
Isaiah A. McCoy, Jr. Collection
Interview / Recording
Share
Isaiah A. McCoy, Jr. Collection
Interview / Recording
Share
Isaiah A. McCoy, Jr. Collection
Interview / Recording
Share
Show more resources (2)
About this Item
Title
- Isaiah A. McCoy, Jr. Collection
Names
- Jones, Stephen H.
- McCoy Jr., Isaiah A.
Home State
- Maryland
Headings
- - McCoy Jr., Isaiah A.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
- - Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 93rd Infantry Division
- Location of Service:
- Dates of Service: 1941-1942
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran was recalled into the Army in 1951 and remained in service until his retirement in 04/30/1970.
-
Korean War, 1950-1953
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 300th Field Artillery, I Corps
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Dates of Service: 1952-1953
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Manuscript: Printed matter [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2002-06-14)
- Manuscript: Other Manuscript Material [1 item] -- Handwritten document (collected 2002-06)
- Manuscript: Biographical information [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected unknown)
- Audio: Microcassette [2 items] -- Oral history interview (collected 2001-06)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/2503
Cite as
- Isaiah A. McCoy, Jr. Collection (AFC/2001/001/2503), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- image