THE CEREMONY AND EXHIBIT BLACKS IN THE MILITARY FEBRUARY 1988

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP99-00777R000301980002-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 14, 2012
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: February 1, 1988
• Content Type: REPORT

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" ... Look what we're able to do in this country. Look what we're able to do with a system such
as ours, when finally the inconsistencies between the dreams contained in our founding
documents and the reality come into direct conflict. What other nation in the world can make
this sort of adjustment and commit itself to a dream that says the only thing that should limit
anyone is their own talent, their own ambition, their on dreams? That's the blessing of this
nation. That's the blessing of this society in which we live."
Lt. Gen. Colin L. Powell,
Assistant to the President for
National Security Affairs,
during his address at CIA
Headquarters on 18 February 1988
in honor of Black History Month.
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National Security Adviser Colin Powell as he was depicted in the February 1988 Central Intelligence Agency Black History Month
exhibit "Blacks in the Military."
On 18 February, General Powell spoke before an audience composed of Agency employees and invited guests on the
contributions of Black Americans to the defense of the United States. The ceremony and exhibit were presented by the
Director of Equal Employment Opportunity and the Office of Information Resources.
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Judge William H. Webster, Director of Central Intelligence, introduces General Powell. During his remarks, Judge Webster said that
he expected "to see more minorities in [CIA's] professional work force, as well as increases of both women and minorities in the middle
and senior levels of management."
H 819 11"Pd1MMHOMEF" MEN
Judge Webster greets General Powell, whom he called a General Powell addresses the 18 February 1988 ceremony
"personal friend of mine." commemorating Black History Month.
The President's National Security Adviser began his
speech by thanking CIA employees for "all you have
collectively done for me /sincef I have been with the
NSC."Following his talk, he and Judge Webster visited
the "Blacks in the Military" display located in the
Agency's Exhibit Nall.
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Special guests invited to the CIA Black History Month ceremony and display included (from left): June C. Turner and Henry C.
Turner, Sr. (parents of one Naval Academy graduate and three Military Academy graduates). Bernard C. Nalty (author of Strength for
the Fight. A History of Black Americans in the Military), Kenneth J. Myles (National President of the 369th Veterans' Association),
and Melvin L. Jeter (Federal Bureau of Investigation Equal Employment Opportunity Officer),
STAT
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Mr. Myles, Mr. Jeter, and Mr. Nally view the case honoring a
member of the all-Black air unit trained at Tuskegee Army Air
Field.
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Shown here is a panel from the exhibit's "War of Independence" section featuring the replica of the "Bucks of America" standard. This
full size flag was reconstructed with information on composition and design provided by the Massachusetts Historical Society.
History records little in the way of specifics, yet John Hancock, the patriot with the prominent autograph, thought so highly
of the all-Black Boston unit called the "Bucks of America' that he presented its members with their oan standard. It aa.s,
as the sketchy literature recalls, his "tribute to their courage and devotion throughout the struggle. " Like the declaration
he had so conspicuously endorsed, Hancock regarded this regiment to such an extent that he allowed his initials to be
included on the banner's scroll. Also added were the first letters belonging to the name of another grateful revolutionary,
George Washington.
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Display case with Company A, 9th US Colored Infantry, tunic and kepi reproductions.
One of 160 all-Black regiments that fought in the Civil War, the 9th was organized at Camp Stanton, Md., on 11 November
1863. These men saw action at the battles of Deep Bottom, Chapin's Farm, Darbytoun Road, and Fair Oaks.
Each May 15, Virginia Military Institute
honors the 10 VMI cadets who died
fighting for the Confederacy at the Bat?
tie of New Market. Last year one of the
Institute's 43 black cadets served on the
squad that fired the customary rifle vol.
leys.
Thomas J, "Stonewall" Jackson
Virginia Military Institute Professor
1851-1861
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Exhibit section describing some of the history associated with the US Army's 9th and 10th Cavalries-the "Buffalo Soldiers,"
During his speech, General Powell took note of the Black troopers who were instrumental in settling the American West.
"These ... regiments were (also) in Cuba," he said. "They went up San Juan Hill. I never knew that until 1 was an adult. It
simply wasn't taught; it wasn't recognized."
THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS
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The story of the all-Black 369th Infantry
Regiment-the "Aden of Bronze"-as told by the
display.
During World War 1, these men were forced to serve with
French units, because, said General Powell, "the French had a
greater respect for the fighting ability of Black soldiers ..." He
added, "They never lost a foot of ground nor had a soldier
captured" during the conflict.
Some of the artifacts loaned to the CIA exhibit by the 369th Veterans' Association included German, American, and French helmets,
as well as the Croix de Guerre awarded to the entire regiment by the French Goaernment.
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Many of the display's photographs depicting the
Tuskegee airmen were from the National Air and
Space Museum's permanent exhibition "Black
Wings: The American Black in Aviation." They were
reproduced through the courtesy of the Smithsonian
original Tuskegee pilots
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To the left in this case is the uniform belonging to Lt. Col.
Thurston E. Jamison, who saw combat in World War II and
Korea.
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Shown here (from left) are the STS-8 Flight Cover orbited aboard Col. Guion S. Bluford's "Challenger" mission when he became the
first Black American in space, US Naval and Military Academies head gear worn by members of the Turner family (see next page),
and a collection of miniature merialc awarrlPri r" e 'reri rti?Pv xT~~ o. eo rto A 30-year veteran of the US Air Force,
STAT
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Photographs and memorabilia relating to the
Annapolis and west Point careers of these four
family members were loaned through the courtesy of
their parents, Dr. and Mrs. Henry C. Turner, Sr., of
Bowie, Md.
The Turner family was one of several subjects covered by the exhibit's "Academies" section. Others included the first Black West Point
graduate and the role of Black women in the service academies.
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Marine Pie. 0scar P, Austin earned the
Madal of Monor when he lunged In bent
cla lallon comrade he was capered Id
enemy idle Pre.
Pie. Millen L 011vc III war poalhumoua
Iyy owmded the Medal al donor by Prasl.
donl Johnson !a ee Vial-,
Throe weeks shy at iI, twontioih birth.
day aOeeve died deha rd It on iodod. yr3
action. caved the dcorset thoPc on pare
wllh cum.
Fir. New Av tin's name carved In the
vlai tope me" Mornoriai I,ln?
PFOlogrophed will, tic. ascleianca of
Jalfiay E 6holoe
Vieln mlal Voters a MareNa ,-d seven
from copy
Phe(ogjaphad whit IriI aaare or ee od
Jellrey t Shclge
Said the designer: It was the hardest section to
create. "
Said a visitor: It was the hardest section to
view, "
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I do not ask that Thou shall front the fray,
And drive the warring foemen from my sight;
I only ask, 0 Lord, by night, by day,
Strength for the fight.
Paul Laurence Dunbar, "The Warrior's
Prayer," as quoted by Bernard C. Nalty in
Strength for the Fight: A History of Black
Americans in the Military (1986).
This brochure is dedicated to the memory of those Black Americans, both men and women, who
have given their lives in the service of their country.
Thee, first in place and honours,-we demand
The grace and glory of thy martial band,
Fam'dfor thy valour, for thy virtues more,
Hear every tongue thy guardian aid implore!
Phillis Wheatley, the first Black and second woman to
publish a book of poems in the United States (as
excerpted from The Pennsylvania Magazine, April
1776).
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