Photograph of the 366th Infantry, Fort Devens, Mass., 1941 May 16

Collection Type

  • Photography

Location Note

Geographic / Mass. / Fort Devens; HAV-01-403-Z-E-407

GUSN

GUSN-357234

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Description

Framed photograph of 94 unidentified officers of the 366th Infantry in Fort Devens, Massachusetts, on May 14, 1941. The photograph is black and white and measures 9 1/4 x 26 inches. All individuals pictured are dressed in uniform. The majority of the officers are Black, although a small number of those pictured appear to be white. Along the bottom of the image, the following title reads: "OFFICERS OF THE 366th INFANTRY -- FORT DEVENS, MASS., MAY 16, 1941." A purple sticker on the verso of the frame reads: "Cohen's / POPULAR PRICE / PICTURE STORE / 1227 G. St. N. W. / WASHINGTON, D.C."

Details

Descriptive Terms

wars
war photography
infantries
officers (military officers)
military bases
black-and-white photographs
group portraits
black-and-white photographs

Inscription

OFFICERS OF THE 366th INFANTRY -- FORT DEVENS, MASS., MAY 16, 1941
Cohen's / POPULAR PRICE / PICTURE STORE / 1227 G. St. N. W. / WASHINGTON, D.C. (Applied)

Physical Descrption

1 framed photograph : black-and-white ; 9 1/4 x 26 inches

Collection Code

PC001

Collection Name

General photographic collection

Date of Acquisition

2021

Reference Code

PC001.01.01.USMA.015.001

Date Notes

1941 May 16

Places

Fort Devens (Worcester county, Massachusetts)
Washington (DC)

Record Details

Material Type

black-and-white photographs

Other People

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972

Subjects

Military
Photograph
African-American soldiers
African American men

Descriptive Terms

World War II

Restrictions

Face of photograph has some tears and general wear due to lack of glass in frame. Back of frame is heavily damaged. The image was photographed in the frame and subsequently removed. The sticker on the verso of the frame will be cut out and preserved along with the photograph.

Description Level

Item

Location Note

Geographic / Mass. / Fort Devens; HAV-01-403-Z-E-407

Language Note

English

Historical/Biographical Note

Historical/Biographical Note

The 366th Infantry Regiment was a segregated, all African American unit of the United States Army. The unit served in both World War I and World War II. In World War II, all of the officers and troops within the unit were black. However, their field grade officers (major or above) as well as company grade officers (second lieutenants, first lieutenants, and captains) were white. The United States military did not desegregate until 1948, when then president Harry Truman issued Executive Order 9981. This order abolished discrimination in the United States Armed Forces.

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