Edward L. Posey - US ARMYS FIRST, LAST, AND ONLY ALL-BLACK RANGERS: The 2nd Ranger Infantry Company

The passionate description of bravery, patriotism, and pride gives the reader insight into the men who changed the armed services forever. I found myself wanting to cheer for them, cry with them, and beamed with pride in all they were able to accomplish.

Pamela Gentry, Washington Bureau Chief, BET News

This outstanding book stands as a shining example of what Americans are capable of accomplishing. This elite outfit of paratroopers fought both the Communists on the battlefield and racial prejudice and bigotry from their own government. As a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I think this book will educate Americas children, young and old, about what others have sacrificed on their behalf.

Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Michigan

This book has it all: drama and daring, bravery and bigotry, combat and courage. These remarkable men made the first airborne assault in Ranger history on March 23, 1951 and ended their service with an outstanding combat record that is now, finally, one for the history books.

Tim and Daphne Reid, Producers, New Millennium Studios

As a combat veteran of the Korean War, an author, actor, and Above the Call: Beyond the Duty style US citizen of African American descent, I found Edward Poseys The US Armys First, Last, and Only All-Black Rangers an outstanding contribution to both our nations history, and the history of our country during wartime. I heartily recommend this eye-opening and informative depiction of an incredibly relevant page in American history.

James McEachin, Silver Star, Purple Heart veteran, author, actor, director, and producer

There is a growing interest in the role of the African American soldier in our history, from the time of the Revolution to Iraq. The US Armys First, Last, and Only All-Black Rangers adds a fascinating personal note to this ongoing epic. Poseys story is important because it says so much about our history. Its destined to become an essential part of our understanding of the role black citizens have played in defending and defining our country.

Charlie Maday, Senior Vice President, Military History Channel

Formed as part of an army that clung to racial segregation, despite a presidential directive to the contrary, the Buffalo Rangers helped make racial integration a reality. This is their story.

Bernard C. Nalty, author of Strength for the Fight: History of Black Americans in the Military

Master Sergeant Ed Poseys story is a riveting account of the misuse of brave men, who made up the Armys first, last, and only all-black ranger company in what has come to be known as the Forgotten War, the US Army in Korea 19501953. While the local combatant commanders on the ground were clearly willing to use the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) in realistic tactical formations, senior officers at corps and higher were still guided by their own misguided prejudices grounded in WWI and WWII concepts about the black soldiers inability to be competent leaders or fighting infantrymenalmost three years following President Trumans Executive Order 9981 to ensure equality of treatment and opportunity. Poseys firsthand experience, accompanied by the recollections of his peers, paints a vivid mosaic of life at the most basic level of the airborne grunt. Its a story that made me reflect on my experience as a small unit leader in the early stages of the Korean War.

Julius W. Becton, Jr., Lieutenant General USA (Ret.), author of Becton: Autobiography of a Soldier and Public Servant

2009 by Edward L. Posey

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Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available from the Library of Congress.

ISBN 13: 978-1-932714-45-6

eISBN: 978-1-61121-036-1

05 04 03 02 01 5 4 3 2 1

First edition, first printing

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