Military Involvement

      As the United States entered international conflicts with foreign nations, many African American men in the South believed that joining the military would bring them opportunities to better their lives. Whether through the draft or enlistment, many African American men in Iberia Parish found themselves involved in military efforts including the Civil and Spanish-American Wars, both World Wars, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Though there was segregation present throughout the armed services, many African American veterans in Iberia Parish recalled their time in the armed services not only as a chance to see the world, but to be treated equally abroad despite being part of all-Black regiments. On the home front, women began to interweave the jobs men left behind with their domestic duties to ensure the survival of their homes and communities.  Additionally, there were a number of women from Iberia Parish who also served alongside men in the armed services despite its rare mention throughout history.

      Contrary the idea that joining the military would bring better opportunities to young, southern Black men and women, many veterans returned to Iberia Parish to find themselves still oppressed by Jim Crow laws. While some men decided to attend colleges, such as Leland College and Grambling University, others returned to the high demands of the agriculture, machinery, and domestic labor forces. Aside from their career endeavors after their military involvement, many Black ex-servicemen and women in Iberia Parish continued to battle the odds of racial discrimination at home. However, despite the challenge of maintaining spaces that commemorate their military efforts, Iberia Parish’s Black veterans have worked diligently to continue the recognition of their valor. In 1957, a group of Black men advocated for the development of their own veterans’ hall since the other facilities were for whites only. By 1958, the Robert B. Green Memorial Building was established in the West End Park to honor the first Black New Iberian killed in World War I.

Listen to the oral histories below to get further understanding on the experiences of Black veterans of Iberia Parish.