Double Victory collection

The Double Victory Oral History Collection consists of five oral histories of men who served in the military during World War II (WWII) and a panel discussion of veterans of WWII hosted by the Amistad Research Center. Also included are documents and photographs donated by Bennie Francis Sr., which consist of an introduction booklet on Fort Huachuca, passenger information on the U.S.S. Randolph CV-15, discharge papers, an identification dischargee certificate and an October 1944 letter to Francis from his mother. The accumulation of oral histories and materials for this project was to highlight the experiences of African American soldiers during WWII. The interviews were conducted by Brenda Square in 2001. The men interviewed were Felix James, Bennie Francis Sr., Russell Stockard Sr., Isaac Johnson, and Calvin Moret. The discussants that participated in the panel discussion were Nolan Marshall, Ora P. Hicks, Calvin Moret, Leonard Burns, Russell Stockard Sr.

In the oral histories, the men give their views and recollections on race and racism in the armed forces, their military positions, relationships with commanding officers and other soldiers—black and white, their overseas experiences amongst Europeans, their professions after the war, and how their service affected their immediate families. Summaries of each interview are available at the Amistad Research Center.