Segregation in the U.S. Military: Ruben Rivers

While teaching at the USMA, I got to know Rivers' CO, Capt. David J. Williams--the battalion's only white company commander. He encouraged me to write about Rivers and the Negro History Bulletin published my article in its special 50th anniversary of WWII edition.

This article came to the attention of the Shaw University task force identifying blacks who in WWII might have qualified for the MoH but instead got a lesser award. I like to think I had a small role in Rivers become one of the seven given MoHs by Bill Clinton.

I include the article herewith:

SGT Wayne Dunn Amn (Join to see) LTC John Moncure SGT J.D. Corr SPC Lisa Hughes MIDN CAPT (Join to see) MSgt Guillermo Ybarra III (HVAC Recruiter) CPO Linda Aberdeen MSgt Dr. Elizabeth Masaniai, Ed.D. Lynn Maj (Join to see) CPT Wayne Douet CPL Ricoh Stinson MSgt James Parker SPC John J Gaviria Jr SP5 (Join to see) SPC John Williams SPC Joseph Kopac SPC William Wilson SPC Tina Jones SFC (Join to see)

As usual Dale, your story inspired me to read a bit deeper which led to reading about his unit. One thing I didn't connect until it was in front of me is that the unit that Ruben Rivers served with, the 761st Tank Battalion (nickname - Black Panthers), was the unit that Jackie Robinson served with after he received his commission.

Here's a link* to Ruben Rivers' MOH citation. From what I saw, he was a proud "tread head" with bravery and a strong sense of duty.

"Come Out Fighting!"*
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* https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/ruben-rivers
* 761st Tank Battalion's motto.

MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Thanks for sharing the Medal of Honor’s actions, we remember him as long as we keep history alive. Even prior to WWII, our fighting force was a mix of race and color. Let us remember him for his bravery and not just his color.