Inman's War: A Soldier's Story of Life in a Colored Battalion in WWII

by Jeffrey S. Copeland

"Inman's War is on one level an ugly story about America and racism and prejudice and discrimination and sexism,but it is also a human story, a story about real people, a story of friendship and loyalty, a story of the human spirit as it tries to overcome adversity.It is a magnificent slice of history." -Dick Gregory, from the Introduction Information about life in the "Colored Battalions" of WWII is very limited; this book takes a look inside a part of history hidden from the eyes of the world. Those who served in these battalions were unsung heroes of the Allies' fight for freedom and rights for all, yet they were often sacrificed along the way to attaining those goals. At long last, their story is told. Some of the most important and symbolic events in American history end up relegated to the dark corners of memory. Events once so significant become little more than footnotes, little more than wisps of story once held dear. This is such a story. There are accounts of the contributions of African Americans during the great conflict of WWII. However, most of these are group histories related to units such as the Red Ball Express, Tuskegee Airmen, and the Buffalo Soldiers. Individual, personal accounts of life and service in what were called the "Colored Battalions" are almost non-existent. This story is based in part upon the nearly one hundred and fifty letters written by Sergeant Inman Perkins during that period that detail his day to day life and his marriage while on leave to his young bride, Olivia. This book presents a look into the past that many thought locked away and forgotten forever, a look into an important slice of our American heritage off limits for too long to the eyes of history. From basic training to the war in Europe, Inman's War presents the fresh territory of a story not told before. It is the story of an individual, Inman Perkins, and it is also the story of the other African American heroes of this era.

384 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to hear the author speak and talk about picking up letters at a flea market. These letters led him to write a book about WWII and a man in an all Black Battalion. The story was very interesting and according to the author, will be made into a movie.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written book about segregation in the Army Air Corp, and America during World War two. Well researched and the author did a great job of making the characters speak, thus, making it an enjoyable story.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by one of my UNI English professors, it is a very enlightening look at the segregated military in World War II.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this WWII book about a soldier from Des Moines. He taught in St. Louis before the war.

[Gary Brecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

After discovering a cache of letters at a flea market, an inspired Jeffrey Copeland decided to research the author’s history. The resulting biographical narrative of a young black teacher, who finds the course of his life altered by WWII, becomes the fascinating personal story of Inman Perkins. In spite of the fact that this is a wartime story, much of the tale is uplifting. The issue of how to sustain the morale of a segregated all-black battalion in the Deep South is one of the challenges facing sergeant Inman during the training phase of his military career. The resourcefulness of Inman and his close associates allows them to negotiate the complications and barriers thrown up at them by racists in the other half of their training camp.

Racism usually remains in the background of this story. Primarily this is a love story. Inman falls in love with a fellow teacher who teaches at the same high school where he teaches. While on leave he gets married and his best friend gets engaged.

As with any story involving war, Inman and his best friend endure the discomforts and perils of living in a combat zone when their unit is shipped out to the Allied front in Italy. At one point Inman is asked by his friend what he plans to do after the war. Inman tells him that he’d been offered a chance to go to Officer Candidate School and possibly consider the Army as a career. While he finds that appealing, he still imagines himself returning to teach at the high school he left in St. Louis.

Rather than spoil the ending for those who have yet to read this book, I will conclude by saying the author has done an excellent job of weaving a fascinating tale from the remnants of letters, army unit histories, reminiscences of survivors who knew Inman (family and friends), co-workers, students, neighbors, etc.