Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Daniel Wallace Callaway Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Cold War
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Special Services, 7th Army
- Location of Service: Germany
- Highest Rank: Private First Class
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/84322
In 1957, Daniel Callaway had just been signed to play baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates when he was injured in spring training and his pro sport career abruptly ended. Drafted into the Army in 1961, basic training convinced him that he was ill-suited for a career in the Army, until one day his commander discovered he had also been a golf instructor in civilian life. Suddenly Callaway found himself assisting the officers on base in how to improve their golf game, and as a result, his own lot in life improved as well. Deployed to Germany at the time of the Berlin Crisis, Callaway was assigned to Army Special Services, where he became the first Black manager of the 7th Army Sports Command baseball team in 1963.
Interview / Recording
Share
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PlayBasic training worst experience of his life; racism experienced while off base. 00:04:36.0 - 00:05:45.0
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PlayAIT at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas; made a golf instructor to the officers on base. 00:06:26.0 - 00:07:00.0
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PlayWanted to be deployed somewhere warm; was sent to Germany; first Black manager of the 7th Army Sports Command baseball team in 1963. 00:07:01.0 - 00:09:34.0
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PlayBest job in the world; lived like a civilian; had the ability to write passes. 00:10:03.0 - 00:12:35.0
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PlayKP duty anecdote; racism experienced while in Arkansas. 00:12:50.0 - 00:15:25.0
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PlayNo problems with racism on the sports teams; camaraderie. 00:17:33.0 - 00:19:55.0
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PlayBerlin Crisis 00:26:41.0 - 00:27:51.0
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PlayGroupies followed the ball players; anger at player behavior; 01:05:48.0 - 01:06:30.0
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PlayLooked out for his men; end of service on 21st Nov., 1963; Kennedy assassinated the next day. 01:08:10.0 - 01:10:00.0
About this Item
Title
- Daniel Wallace Callaway Collection
Names
- Veterans Memorial & Multicultural Histories, Incorporated / VA Medical Center, West Palm Beach
- Callaway, Daniel Wallace
- Cartwright, Carlton G.
Home State
- Florida
Headings
- - Callaway, Daniel Wallace
- - Cold War -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Form
- DVD
Extent
- 1 item
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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Cold War
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Special Services, 7th Army
- Location of Service: Germany
- Highest Rank: Private First Class
- Dates of Service: 1961-1963
- Entrance into Service: Drafted
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran's duties included first black manager of the 7th Army Sports Command baseball team in 1963. The veteran played professional baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates before being drafted.
Materials
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2011-08-27)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/84322
Cite as
- Daniel Wallace Callaway Collection (AFC/2001/001/84322), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video