Description: Up for sale is a 1941 War Department manual for aerial photography prepared by the US Army Air Corps. The manual, which is marked "Restricted," measures 4 1/2" by 7 1/2" and consists of 59 pages, with eight pages of diagrams and illustrations. What makes this particular example so special is that it was used by and bears the stamp of the 51st Composite Defense Battalion, which was the first African American unit in the US Marine Corps. The unit was created by the then Commandant of the Marine Corps Lt. General Thomas Holcomb as a means of fulfilling the desegregation requirement contained within FDR's Executive Order 8802 by allowing Black recruits to join the Navy and Marine Corps while still keeping them segregated. Here is the relevant excerpt from the Wikipedia entry on the subject: "On June 25, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802, mandating the elimination of racial discrimination from federal departments, agencies, the military, and private defense contractors. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox was then directed by the President to accept black recruits into the Navy and Marine Corps. In February 1942, the Marine Corps agreed to accept African American recruits for the first time since the Revolutionary War.[5] In order to comply with the Presidential directive, yet still maintain strict racial segregation, Lieutenant General Holcomb proposed the establishment of an all-black Defense Battalion. To initially make this battalion self-supporting so that it could train in isolation and deploy independently, Holcomb saw to it that a rifle company, special weapons platoons, and light tank platoon were added." The unit was formed in June of 1942 and the term "Composite" was dropped from its title in June of 1943, and thus this manual was in use during the first year of the battalion's existence. It is in very good condition, with the usual tanning of the outside covers, and the two-staple binding is solid. I bought this on eBay about ten years ago from a reputable eBayer, and as with all my items, I unconditionally guarantee its authenticity in perpetuity, so buy with confidence.
Price: 55 USD
Location: New York, New York
End Time: 2024-08-21T20:38:59.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Conflict: WW II (1939-45)
Original/Reproduction: Original
Theme: Militaria
Region of Origin: United States
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
