African Americans History

Clarence Edward Trimble, Sr. – First “Negro” Korean War Registrant

The following is excerpted from an article which appeared in the Cumberland Evening Times, February 6, 1951. It was entitled, “Cumberland Area Sends One Hundredth Draftee And First Negro Registrant into Armed Services.” The newspaper article was written by William Mackert.

Clifton Brooks (1922-2021)

WAR HERO Airman: Fought battles before war

Airman recalls triumphs before facing battle Keyser man fought for equality before fighting in World War II

KEYSER, W.Va. —--

We wanted to serve. But we found as much prejudice there as we had here. Clifton Brooks, former Tuskegee Airman

Mineral Veterans Day parade to honor fallen Piedmont soldier
LIZ BEAVERS

KEYSER, W.Va. — The Mineral County Veterans Day Parade this year will honor a Piedmont soldier who was murdered at the hands of German SS forces on the second day of the Battle of the Bulge.

In its fourth year, the parade traditionally honors a Mineral County native who has distinguished himself or herself in military service to their country.

William A. Colbert, Jr., 1920-2015

CUMBERLAND — William Augustus Colbert Jr., 95, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, 2015, at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center.

Despite being in declining health over the years, Mr. Colbert would always cheerfully say, “Any better and I’d be twins…” He is now joined with his beloved wife, Vivian, who transitioned on Sept. 9, 1999.

William Colbert, Congressional Gold Medal

As detailed in the article below, on May 15, 2015 Flight Officer William Augustus Colbert, Jr. was awarded the Tuskegee Airmen Congressional Gold Medal. Along with the photograph of the presentation which appeared in the newspaper, we have placed a photograph of Mr. Colbert with his great-grand-daughter, Aynia Dorsey, Miss Black Pennsylvania US Ambassador, who took part in the ceremony.

William Colbert

Though born in Annapolis, William Colbert has resided in Cumberland since 1939. In 1943, during World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and went on to receive his basic training in Mississippi.

William Colbert later achieved the rank of Flight Officer at the Tuskegee Army Air Field. This airfield was located on the grounds of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and was the training ground and home of the famous Tuskegee Airmen. Though alerted for overseas duty on two occasions, the war ended prior to his deployment.

Washington Smith Post 152, The American Legion, Keyser, West Virginia

World War II ended in 1945. And like their white counterparts, the black veterans of Mineral County, West Virginia were returning home. As with much of the nation in general, segregation, either by law or custom, existed in West Virginia and impacted just about every segment of society from schools and employment to churches and clubs. Keyser was no different. The black veterans here were unable to join the local American Legion.

In addition to 99 local nurses going off to WWI in 1917, the local Women’s Preparedness Committee noted that women were fast taking their place in all walks of life including working in most of the local industries as well as in the creation of war gardens to increase the flow of food overseas. African-American women organized their own separate clubs and reported 111 war gardens in Cumberland alone by November 1917.

Fulton J. Myers, 1890 - 1918

On May 22, 1918, Private Fulton J. Myers, a Black, the son of Jacob L. Myers, 17 Wallace Street, died at Camp Meade. He was a member of the 351st Field Artillery. He was survived by his parents, four brothers, and three sisters.