African American Officers in Liberia: A Pestiferous Rotation, 1910–1942

by Brian G. Shellum

African American Officers in Liberia tells the story of seventeen African American officers who trained, reorganized, and commanded the Liberian Frontier Force from 1910 to 1942. In this West African country founded by freed black American slaves, African American officers performed their duties as instruments of imperialism for a country that was, at best, ambivalent about having them serve under arms at home and abroad. 

The United States extended its newfound imperial reach and policy of “Dollar Diplomacy” to Liberia, a country it considered a U.S. protectorate. Brian G. Shellum explores U.S. foreign policy toward Liberia and the African American diaspora, while detailing the African American military experience in the first half of the twentieth century. Shellum brings to life the story of the African American officers who carried out a dangerous mission in Liberia for an American government that did not treat them as equal citizens in their homeland, and he provides recognition for their critical role in preserving the independence of Liberia.
 

Genres: Liberia

306 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2018

About the author

Brian Shellum is a full time writing historian with a focus on the Buffalo Soldiers, military attachés, and military intelligence history. He retired from government service in 2015 after serving eight years as a senior intelligence officer with with the Department of Defense in the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization. Prior to that he served as a government historian at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) for 12 years. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1994 after service as an armor officer and West European foreign area specialist. His career highlights include various troop assignments with tank units, a tour as an army attaché in Bonn, Germany, Gulf War service with the 2nd Brigade, First Armored Division, and work as a senior political-military analyst at DIA. He lived and studied for ten years in Germany and speaks fluent German. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, holds a graduate degree from Campbell University, and studied at the University of Bonn. His military decorations include of the Bronze Star Medal and the Order of St. George.

Reviews

[William Landis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched book that goes into intense on the history of African American Army commissioned officers and the early history the Republic of Liberia. The book shows how a posting in Liberia was one the few billets an African American Army Officer could aspire. The mission while challenging and ultimately futile developed many of the great names we think of when we think of early African American Army Officers.

A great read for military historians, African American history buffs, and Pan-Africanist.