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Book details
  • Genre:HISTORY
  • SubGenre:African American & Black
  • Language:English
  • Pages:152
  • Paperback ISBN:9798350986143

In Defense of the Nation

Black Iowans at War

by William Morris

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Overview
The service and sacrifice of Black Americans in defense of the United States has been the primary engine which has driven political, economic, and social progress for Blacks in this nation from the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf War. Throughout this span of over two hundred years, African Americans have contributed mightily to the cause of liberty. During the first century of American history, and into the twentieth century, Black Americans were often barred from officially serving in state militias and federal armed forces. This book is devoted to tracing the service and accomplishments of African American service men and women from the great state of Iowa.
Description
The service and sacrifice of Black Americans in defense of the United States has been the primary engine which has driven political, economic, and social progress for Blacks in this nation from the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf War. Throughout this span of over two hundred years, African Americans have contributed mightily to the cause of liberty. Colonial Patriot Crispus Attucks, a 47-year-old former slave escaped from his white master at age 14, and ultimately became the first American to give his life on March 05, 1770, in the fight for independence from England. Generations later General Colin L. Powell, became the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Commander of Allied Forces in the victory over Iraq in 1991. Yet, during the first century of American history, and into the twentieth century, Black Americans were often barred from officially serving in state militias and federal armed forces. This book is devoted to tracing the service and accomplishments of African Americans from the 29th state admitted to the Union, November 5, 1846, the great state of Iowa. Morris' unique approach to this topic takes his readers back in time, with personal interviews and accounts from veterans and explores the broad multi-generational African American military experience. The bravery and strength of these soldiers should inspire the next generation of Americans and expand their knowledge of Black achievement beyond slavery and racism
About the author
William S. Morris is passionate about American history. He is a published author, educator, lawyer, historian, and public speaker. A visionary and conservative, Morris teaches and writes about African American history. His unique presentations on this topic take his audiences back in time, centuries before the intercontinental slave trade and explore the broad multi-generational African ancestral experience. Morris lectures on African American history to inspire the next generation and expand their knowledge of Black achievement beyond slavery and racism. He does public presentations on Black Military History, Iowa History, Critical Race Theory, Juneteenth, along with a list of other topics. William is a third-generation lawyer from Des Moines, Iowa where his family was deeply involved in the civil rights movement and newspaper publishing. He practiced law for 31 years but believes his greatest achievement was laying the groundwork for the building of the Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center in Des Moines, Iowa. The project was built to honor the first US Army officer training class of African American men in 1917 (17th Provisional Training Regiment), and the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) which included Black female soldiers during World War II. William and his brother, Robert Morris (1958-2018) built the foundation's board of directors. Together these men and women worked to procure grants, public funds on the local, state, and federal levels, corporate and private contributions, to create a $20 million fund to pay for the restoration of the Fort Des Moines Historic Army Complex located at 225 East Army Post Road in Des Moines, Iowa. The project included the visiting officers living quarters which serves as the museum, the chapel, a reflecting pool, and the monument sculpture, "Victory, Victory" by the late Richard Hunt. Morris received his bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. William is a former member of the board of directors of the Iowa State Historical Society. He is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.