The"Fighting Black Devils"and the Heroic Service of Black Soldiers in WWI (Phil Reyburn) - a podcast by Rob Mellon

Author and researcher Phil Reyburn tells the history of the Illinois National Guard unit of Black Soldiers the 8th Illinois.  Their service on the Mexican border and in the Spanish-American War.  The 8th Illinois was an anomaly because it was the only regiment in the U.S. Army at the time with almost a complete compliment of Black Officers from Colonel to Private.  The 8th was designated the 370th Regiment and assigned to the 93rd Division in WWI.  General Pershing transferred the two Black Divisions the 92nd and 93rd to the French during the last counter offensive of the war.  The draft of WWI and the segregation of Black Soldiers is explained to include the treatment of African-Americans in the Army.  Reyburn also covers the training of Black Officers in the U.S. Army during the Great War.  He then details the amazing and heroic service of LT Robinson and SGT Thompson culminating in those Soldiers being awarded French and American medals.  The talk concludes with a conversation on the race riots in 1919 at the conclusion of the war.

Host:  Rob Mellon

Featured Brew:  Fantasyland Midwest Coast IPA Ale (Urban Chestnut Brewing Company - St. Louis, MO)

Music:  Bones Fork

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