Stevens Memorial Library (North Andover)

Unlawful orders, a portrait of Dr. James B. Williams, Tuskeegee airman, surgeon, and activist, Barbara Binns

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 273-298)

individual biography

illustrations

no index present

Ages 8-12, Scholastic FocusGrades 4-6, Scholastic Focus

non fiction

Unlawful orders

bibliography

1346880262

Barbara Binns

a portrait of Dr. James B. Williams, Tuskeegee airman, surgeon, and activist

"The Tuskegee Airmen heroically fought for the right to be officers of the US military so that they might participate in World War II by flying overseas to help defeat fascism. However, after winning that battle, they faced their next great challenge at Freeman Field, Iowa, where racist white officers barred them from entering the prestigious Officers' Club that their rank promised them. The Freeman Field Mutiny, as it became known, would eventually lead to the desegregation of the US armed forces, forever changing the course of American history and race relations. One Black officer who refused to give in to the bigotry at Freeman Field was James Buchanan "JB" Williams. JB grew up the son of sharecroppers, but his loving family and insuppressible intellect drove him to push boundaries placed on Black Americans in the early twentieth century. JB's devotion to the betterment of others took him from the classroom where he learned to be a doctor, to serving as a medic in the US military and eventually joining the elite Tuskegee Airmen, where he fought to change the minds of all who believed Black men couldn't make good soldiers. But JB's greatest contribution came in his role as doctor and Civil Rights activist after the war, where he continued to push past injustices placed on Black Americans. Critically acclaimed author Barbara Binns tells the story of one man's remarkable life, and in doing so, explores the trials of the brave Black freedom fighters who defended the world against racism and bigotry, both on the front lines and at home"--, Provided by publisher

Meet JB Williams -- World War I -- The Red Summer of 1919 -- Starting a new life -- Separate but equal : Plessy v. Ferguson -- Growing up JB -- Double V for victory -- Eleanor Roosevelt -- Lieutenant Davis -- Bombardiers -- Freeman Field -- Mutiny -- The 101 Club -- War's end -- The war for health care -- The National Medical Association -- Medical practice -- Mutiny's final acts -- Legacy -- Afterword : History of black medicine

juvenile

Portrait of Dr. James B. Williams, Tuskeegee airman, surgeon, and activist