Special ForcesSpecial Forces

Special ForcesSpecial Forces

Tuskegee Airmen-Tuskegee Airmen- A group of very dedicated A group of very dedicated African Americans who flew as the first African African Americans who flew as the first African American airmen.American airmen.Navajo Code Talkers-Navajo Code Talkers- A group of Navajo A group of Navajo trained in a code based on their language. The trained in a code based on their language. The code was never brokencode was never broken442442ndnd Regimental Combat Team- Regimental Combat Team- An all An all Japanese-American group of infantry soldiers Japanese-American group of infantry soldiers that saw some of the most brutal combatthat saw some of the most brutal combat

Why is it surprising that these groups would Why is it surprising that these groups would show such patriotism during a time of war?show such patriotism during a time of war?

Tuskegee AirmenTuskegee Airmen

BackgroundBackground

At the beginning of the war, African Americans At the beginning of the war, African Americans and white Americans lived in a “separate, but and white Americans lived in a “separate, but equal” worldequal” world– Segregation de jure (South)Segregation de jure (South)– Segregation de facto (North)Segregation de facto (North)

Voting was constitutional, but African Americans Voting was constitutional, but African Americans were subject to were subject to poll taxpoll tax and and grandfather clause grandfather clause in the south.in the south.Lynching was still prevalent.Lynching was still prevalent.Unequal education opportunities and Unequal education opportunities and employment opportunitiesemployment opportunities

The Tuskegee AirmenThe Tuskegee Airmen

College graduates or undergraduatesCollege graduates or undergraduates

Established the highest grade point Established the highest grade point average as group in the military. This has average as group in the military. This has not been met still to this day.not been met still to this day.

Thought to be less intelligent and unable Thought to be less intelligent and unable to operate machinery due to biological to operate machinery due to biological differencesdifferences

Accomplishments in WWIIAccomplishments in WWII

Served in North Africa, Sicily, and ItalyServed in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy

At first, they saw no direct combat. They were At first, they saw no direct combat. They were sent on missions to bomb targets.sent on missions to bomb targets.

After some intense protest, the airmen were sent After some intense protest, the airmen were sent to Sicily for their first battle. Here they to Sicily for their first battle. Here they experienced their first victory. They went on to experienced their first victory. They went on to fight German forces throughout Italyfight German forces throughout Italy

Won two Distinguished Unit Citations (the Won two Distinguished Unit Citations (the military’s highest commendation).military’s highest commendation).

Questions for Questions for Tuskegee AirmenTuskegee Airmen ClipClip

Clip 1Clip 1What were some of the major points made by the Major What were some of the major points made by the Major when he spoke to the new cadets?when he spoke to the new cadets?What were some the major points made by the second What were some the major points made by the second officer when he spoke to the new cadets?officer when he spoke to the new cadets?What are some reasons why the cadets may want to join What are some reasons why the cadets may want to join the military?the military?What do all of the cadets have in common?What do all of the cadets have in common?

Clip 2Clip 2Make a T-Chart. On one side place Senator Conyers and Make a T-Chart. On one side place Senator Conyers and

on the other side place Benjamin O. Davis. List the on the other side place Benjamin O. Davis. List the points they make in the session.points they make in the session.

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442442ndnd Regimental Combat Regimental Combat TeamTeam

WWIIWWII

Questionnaires were given in Internment camps that Questionnaires were given in Internment camps that asked men if they would be willing to serve in the armed asked men if they would be willing to serve in the armed forces. 75% responded “Yes.”forces. 75% responded “Yes.”When asked to volunteer- 10,000 volunteer from Hawaii. When asked to volunteer- 10,000 volunteer from Hawaii. 1,256 volunteered from the mainland. In the end, only 1,256 volunteered from the mainland. In the end, only 3,000 were inducted3,000 were inductedForbidden to fight in the Pacific Theater.Forbidden to fight in the Pacific Theater.Served in North Africa and ItalyServed in North Africa and ItalyCasualty rate of 93%, wounded soldier with trench foot Casualty rate of 93%, wounded soldier with trench foot were forced back to the front lineswere forced back to the front linesReceived 2,486 Purple Hearts (an award given to those Received 2,486 Purple Hearts (an award given to those that were wounded or dead in battle).that were wounded or dead in battle).21 soldiers received medals of honor (given in 2000).21 soldiers received medals of honor (given in 2000).

Navajo Code TalkersNavajo Code Talkers

BackgroundBackground

In some states, one could find three In some states, one could find three separate drinking fountains labeled separate drinking fountains labeled (“Whites,” “Colored,” and “Indian”)(“Whites,” “Colored,” and “Indian”)

Forced onto Reservations. Forced onto Reservations. – ““Long Walk”- Navajo were forced onto a Long Walk”- Navajo were forced onto a

reservation in New Mexico. Their land was reservation in New Mexico. Their land was scorched, cattle were killed, and thousands of scorched, cattle were killed, and thousands of Navajo were killed.Navajo were killed.

Code TalkersCode Talkers

Served in the Marines transmitting Served in the Marines transmitting messages in their native language.messages in their native language.

Japanese were unable to break code even Japanese were unable to break code even if they had studied in the U.S.if they had studied in the U.S.

Fought in the Pacific TheatreFought in the Pacific Theatre

All received the Congressional Silver All received the Congressional Silver Medal in 2002 (57 years after the war Medal in 2002 (57 years after the war ended)ended)

Clips from Clips from Wind TalkersWind Talkers

Clip 1Clip 1What type of training do the Navajo code talkers endure?What type of training do the Navajo code talkers endure?What type of job is Anders assigned to?What type of job is Anders assigned to?What happened to the Navajo that was captured by the Japanese?What happened to the Navajo that was captured by the Japanese?What do you think the Officer means when he says that Anders What do you think the Officer means when he says that Anders “must protect the code at all costs” ?“must protect the code at all costs” ?

Clip 2Clip 2What is the Japanese response to the code?What is the Japanese response to the code?How is the US military respond to the code? What is the result?How is the US military respond to the code? What is the result?

Clip 3Clip 3Provide a summary of what happens in the scene.Provide a summary of what happens in the scene.How does this scene show the idea that minorities fighting in WWII How does this scene show the idea that minorities fighting in WWII were really fighting two wars?were really fighting two wars?

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SummarySummary

Why do you think these three groups of Why do you think these three groups of soldiers were so highly decorated or soldiers were so highly decorated or commended?commended?