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Military and Veterans
World War II
Black History ➔ American Defense Service Medal
Identifier:
2022.144.2Description:
This American Defense Service medal was awarded to Grand Rapids resident Russell Spencer who served in the 24th Infantry Regiment in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War.The American Defense Service medal was instituted in 1941 and was awarded to individuals in all branches of the United States Armed Forces that served for 12 months of active duty between 1939 and 1941. The circular medal features a relief image of the Grecian figure Columbia standing on an oak branch while holding a shield and a sword. The words "American Defense" arc along the top of the medal and the reverse side reads "For Service During the Limited Emergency Proclaimed by the President on September 8, 1939 or During the Unlimited Emergency Proclaimed by the President on May 27, 1941". The medal hangs from a golden yellow ribbon with thin stripes of blue, white, and red on each side.
Date:
circa 1942Materials:
Ribbon, MetalDimensions:
3" h 1.5" w 0.25" dCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift of Doyle HayesRelated Entities:
Doyle Hayes (donor) Russell Spencer (used by)Sergeant Russell Spencer was born on August 6th, 1924 to George and Mary Spencer. He enlisted in the United States Army on September 24th, 1942 at the age of 15 after falsely stating he was 18. He was assigned to the 24th Infantry Regiment, a predominantly all-Black unit, and served during World War II until he was discharged on December 13th, 1945. He re-enlisted a day later and continued service during the Korean War until April 8th, 1955. After his service ended, Spencer spent much of his time at the Crispus Attucks Legion Post 59 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He passed away on October 30th, 2001, and is buried at Ft. Custer National Cemetary.
During his time of service, Spencer faced a great deal of discrimination but according to his family, it didn't bother him much. When he began his service, the 24th Infantry Regiment was a unit of enlisted Black soldiers until 1948 when President Truman ordered the desegregation of the military. In 1951, after performance issues crossing the Han River in 1950 and the order to desegregate regiments, the unit was deactivated. To Spencer, this action felt as though the military was denying the unit of its rich history and failing to recognize its contributions to the country for nearly 82 years. In 1995, the 24th Infantry Regiment was re-activated and Spencer was invited to the reflagging ceremony in Washington. 24th Infantry Regiment (is related to)
The 24th Infantry Regiment was a unit formed in the United States Army in 1869 from the 38th and 41st United States 'Colored' Infantry Regiments. At its organization, it was one of five regiments of enlisted Black soldiers. In 1948, President Truman issued Executive Order 9981, calling for the desegregation of the military, however, the 24th Infantry Regiment remained a predominantly Black unit with the exception of the officers. On March 6th, 1950 during the Korean War, the unit advanced across the Han River and faced heavy attack from enemy forces. According to various accounts, some soldiers from the unit withdrew from combat and ran away, tossing their weapons and equipment. Because of these actions, the division commander requested that the unit be disbanded for failing to carry out its mission and for causing distrust in its ability to perform as an infantry regiment was expected. Following the request, the unit was deactivated in 1951. It was reactivated in 1995 United States Army (is related to)
The United States Army is a service branch of the United States Armed Forces that specializes in ground-based offensive and defensive warfare. The mission of the United States Army is to fight and win our Nation's wars, by providing prompt, sustained, land dominance, across the full range of military operations and the spectrum of conflict, in support of combatant commanders.The United States Army we know today has roots that can be traced back to the Continental Army which was formed in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War. After the War, The Congress of the Confederation officially created the United States Army in 1784 to replace the disbanded Continental Army. The United States Army is the largest military branch of the armed forces in which participates in disputes worldwide today through preserving peace and security and providing for the defense of the United States.