Black WWII Soldiers: Hidden Executions and the Wereth 11

Book cover for “The Interpreter” by Alice Kaplan, featuring Black American soldiers in uniform standing in formation and historical text about the U.S. Army in Europe from 1943 to 1946.

Originally Published Remembrance Day/Veterans Day 2023

ywtn

Book cover for "The Interpreter" by Alice Kaplan, featuring Black American soldiers standing in formation and historical text about racial injustice in the U.S. Army. — Kaplan writes that between 1943 and 1946, most of the U.S. soldiers executed for capital crimes in Europe were black. At the time, less than 10 percent of the segregated Army was African American.

THE BRIEFING

Hidden Executions of Black WWII Soldiers

Title card reading “Unsealing the Pentagon Vaults,” with subtitle about the suppressed history of Black valor and Jim Crow military justice during World War II. — “Unsealing the Pentagon Vaults,” with subtitle about the suppressed history of Black valor and Jim Crow military justice during World War II.

“…Beyond the statistics, Kaplan says her book reveals a painful story in human terms. Ms. KAPLAN: One of the most moving moments in my work was when I contacted the family of James Hendricks, who was executed in November 1944..”

“…from the series of messages from desantisburg...”

Infographic titled “The Complete Collapse of Military Accountability,” showing three phases: the atrocity, jurisdiction of the U.S. military judicial system, and perpetrators set free. — “The Complete Collapse of Military Accountability,” showing three phases: the atrocity, jurisdiction of the U.S. military judicial system, and perpetrators set free.

THE SON

Infographic titled “Decrypting the Official Narrative” showing a Western Union telegram labeled “Willful Misconduct” and three case studies about James Hendricks, Louis Till, and Elijah. — “Decrypting the Official Narrative” shows a Western Union telegram labeled “Willful Misconduct” and three case studies about James Hendricks, Louis Till, and Elijah.

…They never knew what had happened to him. Parents had received telegrams saying he had died of his own willful misconduct, and that was the case, too, for somebody we know much more about. Emmett Till’s father was hanged in Italy after a court-martial, and Mamie Till speaks in her autobiography about getting this letter from the Army: ‘Willful misconduct.’

NORMAN J. CLEMENT, RPH., DDS, NORMAN L. CLEMENT, PHARM-TECH, MALACHI F. MACKANDAL, PHARMD, BELINDA BROWN-PARKER, IN THE SPIRIT OF JOSEPH SOLVO, ESQ., INC.T. SPIRIT OF REV. C.T. VIVIAN, JELANI ZIMBABWE CLEMENT, BS., MBA., IN THE SPIRIT OF THE HON. PATRICE LUMUMBA, IN THE SPIRIT OF ERLIN CLEMENT SR., IN THE SPIRIT OF WALTER F. WRENN III., MD., JULIE KILLINGWORTH, LESLY POMPY MD., CHRISTOPHER RUSSO, MD., NANCY SEEFELDT, IN THE SPIRIT OF WILLIE GUINYARD BS., JOSEPH WEBSTER MD., MBA, BEVERLY C. PRINCE MD., FACS., IN THE SPIRIT OF FOREST TENNANT, MD., NEIL ARNAND, MD., IN THE SPIRIT OF RICHARD KAUL, MD., LEROY BAYLOR, JAY K. JOSHI MD., MBA, ADRIENNE EDMUNDSON, ESTER HYATT PH.D., WALTER L. SMITH BS., IN THE SPIRIT OF BRAHM FISHER ESQ., MICHELE ALEXANDER MD., CUDJOE WILDING BS, MARTIN NJOKU, BS., RPH., IN THE SPIRIT OF DEBRA LYNN SHEPHERD, BERES E. MUSCHETT, STRATEGIC ADVISORS

Portrait of a U.S. military officer in decorated dress uniform standing before the American flag and a military emblem — **FORMER** **DEFENSE SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN**

Jim Crow Military Executions in WWII

The Army advertised the executions quite widely in Europe and invited townspeople to the hangings, but with the families themselves, they were not forthcoming…

A 2023 LETTER TO THEN DEFENSE SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN:

“THE UNSPEAKABLE INJUSTICES”

Department of Defense seal featuring a bald eagle, shield, arrows, and olive branch on a blue and gold background

Defense Secretary Austin:

In our Remembrance of our Veterans, you have so eloquently articulated;

“Veterans Day is a unique opportunity for us to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of our predecessors to recognize the broad shoulders upon which we now stand. In peace and war, spanning generations all the way back to the very founding of this country, fellow Americans have defended our democracy, advanced our security interests, fought our wars, and preserved our way of life.

Infographic titled “The Anatomy of Institutional Erasure” featuring a vault labeled “The Pentagon Vaults,” with arrows highlighting suppressed battlefield valor, Jim Crow courts-martial, and unpunished enemy atrocities. — “The Anatomy of Institutional Erasure” featuring a vault labeled “The Pentagon Vaults,” with arrows highlighting suppressed battlefield valor, Jim Crow courts-martial, and unpunished enemy atrocities.

“Some never returned to society, like when they left home for boot camp. Some never returned at all. But all of them, living and dead, are owed an outstanding debt. And all of them – as well as their families – are due our most profound respect.”…EXCEPT

Black-and-white portrait of a uniformed man wearing medals and holding a sword — Henry Ossian Flipper was an American soldier, engineer, formerly enslaved person, and in 1877, the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point, earning a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. Wikipedia

Timeline graphic titled “A Systemic Continuum of Erasure,” highlighting Henry Ossian Flipper in 1877, David Fagan in 1899, and WWII-era soldiers from 1943–1946.

BURYING THE TRUTH OF THEIR SACRIFICE OF SOLDIERS

Man in a blue suit speaking at a podium with a government emblem behind him — **Secretary of War Peter Hegseth**

“WHO DEFENDED A NATION THAT FAILED THEM”

The evidentiary record of the United States Armed Forces reveals a persistent pattern of racial bias, official misrepresentation, and institutional betrayal directed at Black servicemen. Spanning from the post-Reconstruction era through World War II (WERETH 11), African American service members defended American democracy and advanced national security interests while operating within a strictly segregated military apparatus. Rather than receiving equal protection under military law, these soldiers were repeatedly targeted by racially biased judicial structures, subjected to disproportionate capital punishment, and denied historical recognition due to executive concealment.

Document titled “The Demand to Defense Leadership,” addressed to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, outlining three mandates: declassification, correcting the historical record, and awarding the Wereth 11 the Congressional Medal of Honor. — **LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE FORMER SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN**

EXCEPT THOSE WHO WERE UNJUSTLY TREATED DURING WWII

“Those Black Men who served our country in uniform during the time of War in a segregated Army who suffered an unspeakable fate before “JIM CROW” military courts, and those in combat “The Werenth 11,” who were victims of graphic acts of horrific war crimes by soldiers of the 1st German SS Panzer Division that went unpunished.

Illustration of the Pentagon building in Washington, D.C., within an oval emblem

“Those who fought our wars! Those whose acts of bravery for defending our democracy, advancing our security interests, and preserving our way of life were hidden. Whose families were given NO respect and informed years later that their loved ones had been executed for “Willful Misconduct.”

Infographic titled “Shadowed Valor: The Wereth 11 and Systemic Injustice in World War II,” depicting the Wereth 11 massacre, racial disparities, legal injustice, military secrecy, and efforts to honor the soldiers.

THE UNSPEAKABLE HORRORS AND TRUTHS

Until now, the Unspeakable Horrors and Truths behind these circumstances have remained hidden within Pentagon Vaults from public and Congressional scrutiny for too long; it’s time you let America know the truth.

Comparison table titled “A Tale of Two Justices Operating Simultaneously,” contrasting Nazi war criminal trials with the treatment of Black U.S. soldiers in the military justice system.

Secretary Austin, every serving Secretary of Defense from WWII onward, has failed (or avoided) to offer a full accounting of these unjustifiable wrongs or why these men lost their lives to what can only be described as Judicial Misconduct and Lynching; you must act NOW with the truth!!

Black-and-white portrait of a uniformed German military officer wearing a peaked cap. — SS-Obersturmführer Klaus Barbie. NAZI-U.S. CIA# 43118

While German Nazis who committed horrific atrocities and war crimes received much fairer hearings as defendants at the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg than these American soldiers during their time of service.

Infographic titled “The Arithmetic of Military Lynching” showing a tilted balance scale comparing the segregated Army’s less than 10% African American soldiers with the majority of U.S. soldiers executed for capital crimes in the European Theater.

Historical Nazi Germany flag with a red field, white circle, and black swastika emblem — NAZI

THE EXECUTION LYNCHING OF ACTIVE DUTY BLACK AMERICAN SOLDIERS DURING WWII

A THE HIDDEN HISTORY (NPR)

listen here below

Infographic titled “A Calculated Geographic Contradiction,” contrasting publicized U.S. Army executions across Europe with concealed military executions in the United States. — “A Calculated Geographic Contradiction,” contrasting publicized U.S. Army executions across Europe with concealed military executions in the United States.

Alice Kaplan writes in her book “The Interpreter,”

” That between 1943 and 1946, most of the US soldiers executed for capital crimes in Europe were black. At the time, less than 10 percent of the segregated Army was African-American. “

“…The Army advertised the executions quite widely in Europe and invited townspeople to the hangings, but with the families themselves, they were not forthcoming...”

Beyond the statistics, Ms. Kaplan says her book reveals a painful story in human terms.

Ms. KAPLAN: One of the most moving moments in my work was when I contacted the family of James Hendricks, who was executed in November 1944.

Book cover for "The Interpreter" by Alice Kaplan, featuring Black American soldiers standing in formation with rifles and historical text about the U.S. Army in Europe from 1943 to 1946. — Kaplan writes that between 1943 and 1946, most of the US soldiers executed for capital crimes in Europe were black. At the time, less than 10 percent of the segregated Army was African-American. Beyond the statistics, Kaplan says her book reveals a painful story in human terms.

Diagram titled “The Bureaucratic Funnel of Deception,” showing court-martial and public hanging records filtered by the Department of Defense into a “Willful Misconduct” telegram.

WILLFUL MISCONDUCT

The Army advertised the executions quite widely in Europe and invited townspeople to the hangings, but with the families themselves, they were not forthcoming.

Black-and-white portrait of two smiling children wearing formal clothing — Mamie Till with her son Emmett

‘They never knew what had happened to him. Parents had received telegrams saying he had died of his own willful misconduct, which was the case for somebody we know much more about. Emmett Till’s father was hanged in Italy after a court-martial, and Mamie Till speaks in her autobiography about getting this letter from the Army, `Willful misconduct.’

Person seated beside a historic sign reading “Europeans Only, Slegs Blankes” in a museum exhibit. — United States Marine Corps Veteran Beres Muchetts, a graduate of Florida A&M University and a 53-year Member of the Historical Fraternity (Divine-9) Kappa Alpha Psi Inc., sits on a park bench at the District Six Museum in Cape Town, South Africa.

These significant social occurrences were directed at people of color, primarily blacks (Italians, Jews, Asians), vaguely reported by major media or, for that matter, discussed in most school districts.

“…What macro-aggression by our government fell upon them which led to their demise during the times of World War...”

Portrait of a young Black man in a dark buttoned uniform against a muted green background. — DAVID FAGAN OF TAMPA, FLORIDA, A HERO TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE AND A TRAITOR TO HIS COUNTRY DURING THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR…WHAT HAPPEN??

Nor have very few, if any, Institutional curriculae ever engaged in the discussion of the systematic lynching of Black American soldiers in the service of their country in uniform in the time of War and has gone virtually unreported by our Department of Defense and complete account as to what circumstance their love one’s dishonorably perished has never been given to these families.

Florida Congressman Alfred Lawson — Former Congressman Alfred Lawson (D) North Florida. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis personally eliminated the district over the Objection of the Florida Legislature drawing the district.

One of the victims was named Elijah, from North Florida. Still, because Governor Ron DeSantis chose to void the Congress House Seat of Alfred Lawson (whom this writer has personally known for 50-plus years), we may never know what happened to him in England.

PERHAPS WE CAN FINALLY LEARN THE TRUTH?

Portrait of a smiling young man wearing a gray high-collared shirt. — GENERAL LLOYD AUSTIN

Perhaps, Defense Secreatray Lloyd Austin, coming from the region of Northern Florida, Southern Georgia, you sir, can finally release the military records behind the circumstances of these African American Solider. (this would include too Henery Ossian Flipper and Dave Fagan of Tampa, Florida)?

Heraldic crest featuring a gold shield with purple center, Greek letters, crossed swords, laurel wreath, and helmet.

What macro-aggression by our government fell upon them led to their demise during World War.

Infographic titled “The Heroic Stand of Battery C,” describing African American artillerymen from the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion defending against the 1st Waffen SS Panzer Division during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. — “The Heroic Stand of Battery C,” describing African American artillerymen from the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion defending against the 1st Waffen SS Panzer Division during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944.

THE WERETH 11 MASSACRE WWII

“Let us not also forget that, under the American “Jim Crow” military judicial system, those German SS unit soldiers who committed dehumanizing atrocities (American Style Lynching) against “The Wereth 11” were all eventually set free.

“African American servicemen defended American democracy and advanced national security interests abroad while being forced to operate within a strictly segregated military apparatus characterized by systemic discrimination, institutional macro-aggressions, and unequal justice.”

This fundamental paradox defined the operational reality of Black combat units deployed across the European Theater of Operations. Segregated into auxiliary and combat-support roles by military doctrine, units such as Battery C of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion were nevertheless thrust into frontline combat.

Soldier of the cross

“These American soldiers (11 African-American soldiers from the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion, Battery C) saved the lives of thousands by heroically holding their line until overrun by elements of the 1st Waffen SS Panzer Division “Leibstandarte” in December 1944.”

Despite facing pervasive institutional macro-aggressions from the high command down to daily camp life, these artillerymen delivered vital firepower on the front lines, demonstrating unquestioned tactical proficiency and personal valor. The true measure of their defensive resolve was tested under the most brutal conditions imaginable during the harsh Ardennes winter engagement of December 1944.

“These American soldiers (11 African-American soldiers from the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion, Battery C) saved the lives of thousands by heroically holding their line until overrun by elements of the 1st Waffen SS Panzer Division “Leibstandarte” in December 1944.

***(See the video below, Hosted by Colin D. Heaton. The Forgotten History Channel is a 10th Legion Pictures Production)***

Infographic titled “Defending Democracy in a Segregated Uniform” showing that 1.2 million Black Americans served in the U.S. Armed Forces, 125,000 deployed overseas, and 708 were killed in action. — Among them, 125,000 were fully deployed overseas to battle Axis forces across foreign theaters, and 708 made the ultimate sacrifice, losing their lives in combat. These servicemen performed their duties under the profound burden of a dual struggle: confronting fascist tyranny abroad while fighting systemic disenfranchisement, racial subjugation, and institutional hostility within their own military.

“..these artillerymen delivered vital firepower on the front lines..”

1.2 million African Americans served in America’s Armed Forces during World War II. Fully 125,000 served overseas. Seven hundred eight were killed. Among these were The Wereth Eleven. Their story was lost to history until now.

“..Despite facing pervasive institutional macro-aggressions from the high command down to daily camp life, these artillerymen delivered vital firepower on the front lines..”

Graphic listing ten servicemen whose sacrifice is advocated for recognition with the Congressional Medal of Honor. — **Graphic listing Ten servicemen whose sacrifice is advocated for recognition with the Congressional Medal of Honor.**

U.S. Medal of Honor with blue ribbon against a black American flag background and the words “Medal of Honor.” — **DESERVING THE MEDAL OF HONOR LONG OVERDUE**

WERETH 11 DESERVING OF CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONORS

“Secretary Austin, these eleven men Pvt. Curtis Adams, Coporal Mager Bradley, Pvt. First Class. George Davis, Staff Sgt. Thomas J Forte, Tech Corporal Robert Green, Pvt. First Class James Leathwood, Pvt. Nathaniel Moss, Pvt. George W. Moten, Tech Sgt. William Prichett, Tech Sgt. James Aubrey Stewart, Pvt. First Class Due W. Turner died as heroes and “never returned at all. But all of them, living and dead, are owed a great debt. And all of them – as well as their families – are due our deepest respect.” they are more than deserving of the highest recognition America can give, ” The Congressional Medal of Honor.”