There are two things that have always puzzled me – well, actually there are a lot more than that, but I’m trying to focus on one thing today. It surprises me that during times in America’s history, where a Black man had little to no rights at all, he still felt the calling to fight in America’s wars. I’m also surprised, but maybe less so, that America did everything in its power to stop them. Maybe someday, someone will explain both psychologies to me, but for now, let’s pay tribute to the first Black unit to enter combat during World War II – The Fighting 761st Tank Battalion.

Let me guess, you’ve never heard of them, right? I hadn’t either, but with a little research you can turn up all sorts of accounts of our suppressed historical contributions. The 761st was activated on April 1, 1942 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana and deployed in Europe, October 10, 1944. The 761st, later referred to as the Black Panther Tank Battalion, was a group of African American men whose battle tenacity in Germany helped turn the tide of the war.

For 183 days, including the infamous Battle of the Bulge, they fearlessly took on and defeated everything Germany threw at them, almost always outnumbered. In the end, they punched the hole in the Siegfried Line through which General Patton’s tanks poured through on the way to victory. During their first mission in the German town of Morville-les-Vic, they were essentially sent in as bait to exhaust German firepower and allow for the White units to sweep in. Instead, after three days of fighting, outnumbered and outgunned, the 761st defeated the Germans and took the town.

The 761st fought for six months without relief, always being called on to battle German forces that other units couldn’t handle. Their reward? They were denied the fuel they needed to reach and link with Russia toward the end of the war. That honor was awarded to White units instead. Not to be outdone, the 761st found a Black quartermaster unit, which provided them the gasoline they needed and they still beat the other units to the Russian rendezvous.

Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism in action. Warren G. H. Crecy received a battlefield commission and a recommendation for the Medal of Honor while earning his reputation as the Baddest Man in the 761st. Baseball legend Jackie Robinson was an officer with the 761st Tank Battalion during training at Camp Hood, Texas, but he was prevented from going to Europe with his unit by a racial incident on a bus.

Visit the 761st Black Panther Tank Battalion’s official website here.