Compensation 'too late'
( V.Z. Press Assn.—Copy right MINNEAPOLIS
(Minnesota)
Admitting it was only making amends “in a small way,” the United States Army presented a cheque for $NZ16,750 to Mr Dorsie Willis, the only known survivor of a unit of black soldiers unjustly drummed out of the service 68 years ago. Mr Willis, aged 87, a former barbershop shoeshine, smilingly accepted the check and said he was grateful. But he said he had hoped for more, and that the payment came “many years too late.”
Willis and 166 other Negro soldjers were given dishonourable discharges after an incident in 1906 at Brownsville, Texas, in which one man was killed and buildings were riddled with gunfire. The reason for the shooting was never ascertained.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33433, 15 January 1974, Page 16
Word Count
123Compensation 'too late' Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33433, 15 January 1974, Page 16
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