The 92nd Infantry Division and the Italian Campaign in World War II

by Gibran, Daniel K.

• ISBN13: 9780786410095
• ISBN10: 0786410094
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-04-01
• Publisher: McFarland Publishing

Summary

This work focuses on the all black 92nd Infantry Division in the Italian Campaign in World War II and the poor combat performance of the division in Italy. An introduction provides an overall view of the Italian Campaign and the role of the 92nd Infantry Division. The author then examines the reasons for the division's troubles on and off the battlefield, such as the low morale among the soldiers because of racial segregation, the limited facilities provided for them, and their lack of trust in their leadership. All of these issues are explored at length. Information on the early life and military training and experience of General Ned Almond is provided, along with the stories of Vernon Baker and John Fox, who emerged as leaders but endured a long struggle for recognition. The author concludes this work on a personal note by telling of his involvement as principal investigator of Acting Secretary of the Army John Shannon's study of why no African American received the Medal of Honor in World War II (a situation that was rectified in the late 1990s: See Elliott V. Converse, Daniel K. Gibran et al., The Exclusion of Black Soldiers from the Medal of Honor in World War II, McFarland 1997, $29.95).

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Introduction	1	(10)
The 92nd Infantry Division and General Edward Almond: Preparation for War	11	(28)
Deployment to the War Zone and General Almond's Command	39	(32)
From Cinquale to Hill X and Massa	71	(20)
Vernon Baker: A Medal, a Signorina, and a New Life	91	(32)
Courage Under Fire: The Story of Lieutenant John Fox	123	(18)
The Long Road to Recognition	141	(20)
Summary and Conclusion	161	(8)
Epilogue: An Encounter with America	169	(8)
Appendix: More Information on the Medal of Honor	177	(6)
Notes	183	(8)
Bibliography	191	(4)
Index	195