A Soldier's Story

Corporal Ellis:
I've been driving this jeep for six months, sir. Only turned over twice.

Captain Davenport:
Twice?

Corporal Ellis:
Yes sir.

Captain Davenport:
Good.

Private Wilkie:
Is it true, sir, that when they found him, his stripes and insignia were still on the uniform?

Captain Davenport:
Yes.

Private Wilkie:
Something's wrong, ain't it, sir? I mean, those Klan boys, they can't stand to see us in these uniforms. They usually take the stripes and stuff off before they lynch us.

Master Sergeant Vernon Waters:
You know the damage one ignorant Negro can do? We were in France in the first war; we'd won decorations. But the white boys had told all them French gals that we had tails. Then they found this ignorant colored soldier, paid him to tie a tail to his ass and run around half-naked, making monkey sounds. Put him on the big round table in the Cafe Napoleon, put a reed in his hand, crown on his head, blanket on his shoulders, and made him eat *bananas* in front of all them Frenchies. Oh, how the white boys danced that night... passed out leaflets with that boy's picture on it. Called him Moonshine, King of the Monkeys. And when we slit his throat, you know that fool asked us what he had done wrong?

Colonel Nivens:
The worst thing you can do, in this part of the country, is pay too much attention to the death of a negro under mysterious circumstances.

Colonel Nivens:
Remember, you're the first colored officer most of these men ever seen. The Army expects you to set an example for the colored troops... and be a credit to your race.

"Well what are we going to do? White boys running circles 'round us."