Keywords: Black Guards
Item 105941
Onawa Trestle guards at Morkill, ca. 1942
Contributed by: Monson Historical Society Date: circa 1942 Location: Morkill Media: photographic print
Item 105938
Soldiers on guard, Monson, ca. 1942
Contributed by: Monson Historical Society Date: circa 1942 Location: Monson Media: photographic print
Exhibit
A Convenient Soldier: The Black Guards of Maine
The Black Guards were African American Army soldiers, members of the segregated Second Battalion of the 366th Infantry sent to guard the railways of Maine during World War II, from 1941 to 1945. The purpose of the Black Guards' deployment to Maine was to prevent terrorist attacks along the railways, and to keep Maine citizens safe during the war.
Exhibit
Black soldiers served in Maine during World War II, assigned in small numbers throughout the state to guard Grand Trunk rail lines from a possible German attack. The soldiers, who lived in railroad cars near their posts often interacted with local residents.
Site Page
John Martin: Expert Observer - Co. B, Maine State Guard member, Bangor, 1864
"Martin wrote, "Co B State guard black pants blue Broad cloth frock coat & a United States cap J R Richr Capt R L Morrison Lieut." View additional…"
Site Page
Lubec, Maine - The Lighthouse at West Quoddy Head
"Coast Guard, Yeaton later became known as the "Father of the Coast Guard." Yeaton, friend and companion to Allan, retired in 1798 to his North Lubec…"
Story
A Maine Family's story of being Prisoners of War in Manila
by Nicki Griffin
As a child, born after the war, I would hear these stories - glad they were finally written down
