Colonel Chauncey Hooper was a veteran of the First World War – a man of hardy African-American stock, he had served with the “Harlem Hellfighters” (the 369th Regiment, 93rd Division) and so more than his share of combat. When 1943 came along, he could be found as an army colonel in Hawaii, riding herd on a regiment of “colored” New Yorkers who called themselves “Hooper’s Troopers”.
This article is by no means about Hooper as much as it concerns the high number of Harlem Jazz musicians who served under his command:
“Among the professionals are Cpl. Otis Johnson, who trumpeted for Louis Armstrong; Cpl. Rudy Williams, who clarineted for Fess Williams; Sgt. Rueben Reeves, solo trumpet for Cab Calloway; Pfc. Dick Thompson, clarinet for Claude Hopkins, and Pfc. David Alford, who was with Cab Calloway’s sister, Blanche.”
If you would like to read more about African-American service during W.W. I you may click here.
Dorie Miller was an African-American hero during the Second World War, click here if you would like to read about him.
Click here to read about the discrimination experienced by American Blacks serving in W.W. II Britain.
Click here to read a history of African-Americans between the years 1619 through 1939.
