The Christy Collection

Military Stories and Articles

Celebrities Who Served – Robinson, Jack “Jackie” (1942-1944)

Celebrities Who Served – Robinson, Jack “Jackie” (1942-1944)

In 1942, Robinson was drafted and assigned to a segregated Army cavalry unit in Fort Riley, Kansas. Having the requisite qualifications, Robinson and several other black soldiers applied for admission to an Officer Candidate School (OCS) then located at Fort Riley. Although the Army's initial July 1941 guidelines for OCS had been drafted as race-neutral, practically speaking few black applicants were admitted into OCS until after subsequent directives by Army leadership. As a result, the...

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Celebrities Who Served – Freeman, Morgan (1955-1959)

Celebrities Who Served – Freeman, Morgan (1955-1959)

What are you doing now? Time was when the silver screen was awash with dignity. Film-makers needing a hero of high moral standing could choose from a wide array of stars. Henry Fonda, Gary Cooper, Gregory Peck, John Wayne - all brought gravitas and stern-but-tolerant manhood to many a role. In these confusing times, though, such eminently trustworthy figures are few and far between. Indeed, perhaps there's only one. He was the strong, forgiving chauffeur breaking down the race-divide in...

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