Lt. Monroe Allen Scott Biography-3
Lt. Monroe Allen Scott Biography-3
Lt. Monroe Scott: An Officer and A Gentleman
"During the war, the Army's policy of racial segregation continued among enlisted members; Army training policy, however, provided that blacks and whites would train together in officer candidate schools (beginning in 1942). Officer Candidate School was the Army's first formal experiment with integration. Black and white candidates lived separately, but all the candidates trained together. Despite this integrated training, in most instances, the graduates would go on to join racially segregated units."
In March 1941, Monroe was promoted from Corporal to Sergeant. He was one of the earliest soldiers nominated to attend the Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning GA in late 1941. (The first OCS class began in July 1941). After graduating from this 17-week course, Monroe was promoted to Master Sergeant -- but not made a Lieutenant -- and returned to Fort Huachuca, where he joined the Headquarters Company of the 93rd Infantry division.
In October 1942, M/Sgt. Monroe was then selected to attend the three-month Army Administration Classes at Grinnell College (Iowa), with the opportunity to become a Commissioned
"At 98, the Army Just Made Him an Officer:
A Tale of Racial Bias in World War II"
Officer. According to his April 20,1943 letter, Monroe finished 9th out of 256 students. After program completion, he was finally promoted to 1st Lieutenant and stationed in Virgina.
The struggle to recognize Black WW2 officers continued long after the War. Click below to read the story of John E. James Jr., as presented in the June 29, 2018 New York Times article. James, 98, graduated from the Fort Benning's Officer Candidate School -- as did Monroe Scott -- but was denied his commission as a second lieutenant because he is Black.
Like Monroe Scott, James served in a segregated Army Quartermaster unit in North Africa & Europe.
Click Lt. John James' photo to read the New York Times remarkable story ---------------------->
