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Derricks' Bridgehead: The History of the 92nd Division, 597th Field Artillery Battalion, and the Leadership Legacy of Col. Wendell T. Derricks
Vivid, first-hand account of a unique and significant World War II all-black U.S. Army unit―the 597th Field Artillery Battalion, 92nd Division.
The 597th Field Artillery Battalion, 92nd Division, was the first, last, and only all-black officered direct support field artillery battalion committed to combat in the history of the U.S. Army. It was the first all-black unit in a combat division and, together with the 600th Field Artillery Battalion, constituted the only all-black units in any combat division. Alongside impressive achievements on the battlefield in Italy in 1944–45, the unit provided more key command and staff positions exclusively for black field artillery officers than any other U.S. Army unit in combat, giving combat training and experience to more senior black field artillery officers than any of the other 16 black field artillery battalions during World War II.
Colonel Wendell Derricks worked to shelter his troops from the worst of the racism exhibited during the war and, due to his ability to envision an integrated postwar army, he provided unique leadership opportunities for his senior officers. The alumni of the 597th Field Artillery Battalion have an impressive record of success, many of them were inducted into the Field Artillery Hall of Fame; some served at the Pentagon, including Lieutenant Colonel Clark; and others forged successful careers in the civilian world.
Table of Contents
THE END OF EXCLUSION
1 A Limited Opportunity
2 The Opportunity Expands
3 A Northern Winter in Indiana
4 Camp Robinson, Arkansas
5 Fort Huachuca
6 Louisiana Maneuvers
7 Programmed for Failure
BRIDGING THE OBSTACLE
8 The Tide Turns
9 Over There
GAINING A FOOTHOLD
10 By the Sea
11 In the Mountains
12 Changes at the Top
13 A New Year and a New Assignment
14 In the Valley
15 Operation Fourth Term
16 The Aftermath
17 On the Move
18 The Enemy Withdrawal Becomes a Rout
THE LONG WAY HOME
19 Two Down and One to Go
20 A Special Mission Carried Out from Varazze
21 Preparing for Redeployment
22 Three Down and We had Earned a Trip Home
BEYOND DERRICKS’ DIARY
23 Colonel Wendell Derricks
24 Derricks’ Legacy
25 The Race Continues
26 Success
The 597th Field Artillery Battalion, 92nd Division, was the first, last, and only all-black officered direct support field artillery battalion committed to combat in the history of the U.S. Army. It was the first all-black unit in a combat division and, together with the 600th Field Artillery Battalion, constituted the only all-black units in any combat division. Alongside impressive achievements on the battlefield in Italy in 1944–45, the unit provided more key command and staff positions exclusively for black field artillery officers than any other U.S. Army unit in combat, giving combat training and experience to more senior black field artillery officers than any of the other 16 black field artillery battalions during World War II.
Colonel Wendell Derricks worked to shelter his troops from the worst of the racism exhibited during the war and, due to his ability to envision an integrated postwar army, he provided unique leadership opportunities for his senior officers. The alumni of the 597th Field Artillery Battalion have an impressive record of success, many of them were inducted into the Field Artillery Hall of Fame; some served at the Pentagon, including Lieutenant Colonel Clark; and others forged successful careers in the civilian world.
Table of Contents
THE END OF EXCLUSION
1 A Limited Opportunity
2 The Opportunity Expands
3 A Northern Winter in Indiana
4 Camp Robinson, Arkansas
5 Fort Huachuca
6 Louisiana Maneuvers
7 Programmed for Failure
BRIDGING THE OBSTACLE
8 The Tide Turns
9 Over There
GAINING A FOOTHOLD
10 By the Sea
11 In the Mountains
12 Changes at the Top
13 A New Year and a New Assignment
14 In the Valley
15 Operation Fourth Term
16 The Aftermath
17 On the Move
18 The Enemy Withdrawal Becomes a Rout
THE LONG WAY HOME
19 Two Down and One to Go
20 A Special Mission Carried Out from Varazze
21 Preparing for Redeployment
22 Three Down and We had Earned a Trip Home
BEYOND DERRICKS’ DIARY
23 Colonel Wendell Derricks
24 Derricks’ Legacy
25 The Race Continues
26 Success
304 pages, Hardcover
Published August 31, 2023
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 17, 2024
This book sets out to do three things, write about the military career of Major Clark, write about the impact of Wendell T. Derricks on Clark's career and the history of the 597th Field Artillery Battalion during the Second World War.
The book delivers on each of these three aspects. The 597th Field Artillery was one of the few artillery units staffed by Black officers in the racially segregated 92nd Infantry Division. It details the military service of Major Clark, who started as a private and rose through the ranks to become a lieutenant colonel. Lastly, the significance of Wendell T. Derricks is made obvious. For Black officers chances to advance their career were few and thus the officers were rotated between field and staff positions, thus gaining valuable experience for a time when the officers would be judged on their experiences and not the color of their skin.
The book is well-researched and highly recommended!
The book delivers on each of these three aspects. The 597th Field Artillery was one of the few artillery units staffed by Black officers in the racially segregated 92nd Infantry Division. It details the military service of Major Clark, who started as a private and rose through the ranks to become a lieutenant colonel. Lastly, the significance of Wendell T. Derricks is made obvious. For Black officers chances to advance their career were few and thus the officers were rotated between field and staff positions, thus gaining valuable experience for a time when the officers would be judged on their experiences and not the color of their skin.
The book is well-researched and highly recommended!
Displaying 1 of 1 review