Click here to view the brief Evening Record article July 30, 1918, which reveals in its wording the segregated situation during World War I.  

By saying “Colored Men”, that meant they were not traveling with the white troops.  They would be in separate barracks at Camp Upton located in Yaphank on Long Island in Suffolk County, New York, not far from
Camp Mills, and if they went overseas to fight, they could only fight along side French Troops. 

All of that was understood when the term “Colored Men” was used in referring to these eight men: Clarence Higgs, Richard J. Watson, Henderson Jeter, Leonard Mickens, Albert Stevens, Henry Green,
George Alsten, and Julius F. Coles.

By these men’s honorable service it helped to break down racial barriers for future generations.

Let us never forget the soldiers sacrifice. 

Click here to view the Evening Record article August 2, 1918, telling of Julius F. Coles being sent off by family and friends to Camp Dix at the Anderson Street station.  The paper may have made a mistake in the
July 30, 1918 article, or it may have been a change of orders, nonetheless he left for Camp Dix on August 2, 1918.

Written by:
Bob Meli
May 18, 2013

Background image of segregated barracks at Camp Merritt in 1918 obtained from:

http://www.gwpda.org/wwi-www/Scott/Stn04.htm