“African-American Veterans Photo Essay”

Carroll County Times Article for 21 February 1993

By Jay A. Graybeal

This coming Thursday evening the Historical Society will hold its annual African-American History Forum. Each year this event presents local speakers who tell the audience about their experiences as related to a specific aspect of local history. Past topics have included research techniques, the Black Church and Education.

The military service of local men and women is the topic of this year’s forum. Moderator Lou Ann Howard-Bowins has arranged for veterans to speak about their experiences in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm.

African-Americans have served in all of America’s wars. Over 10,000 blacks served in the Continental Army and Navy forces; another 1,000 served with the British. Black seamen fought with great distinction at the critical Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The Federal government enlisted 178,975 blacks during the Civil War; 69, 178 died during the conflict.

Blacks were again called for service in World War I. Approximately 90 Carroll County men served in all-black U.S. Army units. Two of them, Henry Leroy Hill of Taneytown and Murton B. Sanders of New Windsor, died of pneumonia while in the service.

The public is cordially invited to attend the forum, held in the Society’s Shriver-Weybright Auditorium, 210 E. Main Street, Westminster. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. For more information call the Historical Society, (410) 848-6494.
Photo Caption 1: Pvt. John Wesley Cole, Co. F, 4th United States Colored Troops, U.S. Army. Pvt. Cole was one of approximately 50 local blacks who served in the Civil War. Historical Society of Carroll, Gift of Mary Elizabeth Dorm, 1991.
Photo Caption 2: Cpl. William “Joe” Brown, 679 Tank Battalion, 92th Division, 5th Army, U.S. Army. This long time Union Bridge resident served in World War II. Courtesy of Joe Brown.
Photo Caption 3: Airman third-class Barbara Butler Carroll, U.S. Air Force. Airman Carroll Enlisted in 1952. After training in San Antonio, Texas she served at Ft. Holibird, Md. and Medford, Mass. Courtesy of Barbara Carroll.
Photo Caption 4: Capt. Ronald Hollingsworth, U.S. Army, Capt. Hollingsworth served in two tours in Vietnam. In 1966 he was in the 13th Field Artillery, 25th Division and in 1969-1970 he was with the 14th Field Artillery, 23th Artillery Group. Courtesy of Ronald Hollingsworth.
Photo Caption 5: Sgt. Larry Smith, 82 Airborne Infantry Division, U.S. Army. Sgt. Smith served during the Vietnam War era. Courtesy of Larry Smith.