761st Tank Battalion (African-American Soldiers) [Library Binding]

Kathryn Browne Pfeifer (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: African-American Soldiers

Profiles the "Black Panthers," the first African-American tank battalion to see combat during World War II, discussing their vital role in providing advance ground support for General Patton's infantry divisions.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Pfeifer describes the first African American armored unit to be committed to combat in World War II and the second-class treatment they endured. Their record was consistently outstanding; however, it was not until 1978 that they received their much-deserved Presidential Unit Citation. The account is objective, clear, and lively; the black-and-white photographs are numerous and complement the text. Reef chronicles the heroism of individual black soldiers and airmen in the major wars of the U.S., beginning with the American Revolution. Reef's approach is straightforward; the heroic action of each soldier is examined, as well as his life before and-for those who survived-after the conflict. Little-known facts are brought to light, e.g., one-sixth of Navy gunners in the War of 1812 were black, African Americans could not serve in the Armed Forces in peacetime until after the Civil War, and no black men were awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II. Average-quality black-and-white photographs illustrate the text. Acceptable additions for report writers as well as general readers.
Rick Moesch, Hamburg Public Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. The history of the black soldiers of the 761st Tank Battalion, which served with distinction during World War II, is well presented in this entry in the African-American Soldiers series. Pfeifer discusses not only the history of the unit's battle record, marginalized by racism, but also the experiences of individual men who suffered many injustices. The book is illustrated with black-and-white photographs and includes both a chronology of African American service in the U.S. military and a bibliography comprising primarily books on African American soldiers during World War II. Merri Monks

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 80 pages
• Publisher: 21st Century; 1st edition (December 9, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805030573
• ISBN-13: 978-0805030570
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,072,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction of black WW2 history..., August 17, 2011

By 

Elizabeth M. Nickerson - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 761st Tank Battalion (African-American Soldiers) (Library Binding)

This is a sturdy thin hardcover that can be read in a couple of hours. I all fairness it was intended for elementary and junior high kids. I recommend it to anyone that wants to know the basics of the 761st tank battalion.