German pows and african american nurses news
You're likely referring to the story of African American nurses who cared for German prisoners of war (POWs) during World War II. This is a fascinating and lesser-known chapter in American history. Here's a brief overview:
During World War II, the United States military was segregated, and African Americans were largely excluded from combat roles. However, they played a crucial role in supporting the war effort in various ways, including as nurses.
In 1943, the US Army Nurse Corps was still segregated, and African American nurses were assigned to care for German POWs at the Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania. This was a significant departure from the norm, as African American nurses were typically relegated to caring for African American patients.
The African American nurses who cared for German POWs were part of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-black women's unit that was activated in 1945. The battalion was stationed at the Carlisle Barracks, where they were responsible for processing and sorting mail for the POWs.
The story of these African American nurses and their work with German POWs was largely overlooked until recent years, when it was rediscovered and highlighted in various media outlets. In 2019, the US Army recognized the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion as a "Trailblazing Unit" for their contributions to the war effort.
Here are some key news articles and sources that highlight this story:
- "The Forgotten Story of African American Nurses Who Cared for German POWs" by The New York Times (2019)
- "African American Nurses Cared for German POWs During WWII" by NPR (2019)
- "The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion: A Trailblazing Unit" by the US Army (2019)
- "African American Nurses and German POWs: A Hidden Chapter in American History" by The Atlantic (2020)
These articles and sources provide a fascinating glimpse into a little-known chapter in American history, highlighting the important contributions of African American nurses during World War II.