Posted on 02/07/2023 8:29:17 AM PST by CheshireTheCat
On this date in 1902, two African-American U.S. Army privates were hanged before a crowd of 3,000 at Guinobatan, Philippines for deserting to the anti-occupation insurgency.
The 7,000 black soldiers deployed to put down Philippine national resistance against the American occupation faced an obvious conundrum: they were second-class citizens back home, fighting a savage war to keep Filipinos second-class citizens abroad.
Men in such situations have been known to square that circle by going over to join their fellow downtrodden.
In the Philippines,
Each black soldier resolved for himself the quandary caused by service against the insurrectos. Some, like Lieutenant David Gilmer, believed their unswerving dedication would ultimately improve the lot of all black people. Others simply reasserted their faith in America: “all the enemies of the U.S. government look alike … hence we go along with the killing, just as with other people.” But the Filipinos recognized the existence of the black soldier’s dilemma by advocating racial solidarity against white oppressors and by offering commissions to defectors.**
Here’s an example appeal the Philippine resistance made to black U.S. troopers (source):
(Excerpt) Read more at executedtoday.com ...
Reminiscent of the San Patricio Battalion.
I own a full stock 30-40 Krag carbine (Springfield )made for the Philippine Constabulary in 1902.
My Grandfather was serving in the Philippines during that little dust-up.
Going over to the enemy, fighting against your own country and soldiers, the death penalty is absolutely called for. Skin color be damned.
Funny how in America’s history, we fought 105 wars, but only four of them we had any business being part of — The Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, The Civil War, and WWII. That last one could be somewhat debated.
The rest we had NO business instigating or participating in, as is the looming Ukraine/WWIII fiasco.
Over 2.8 million American casualties and over 1.3 million American deaths. A lot of young men dead for idiotic vanity, corruption, avarice, and misplaced pride...
Oh, do pound sand, draft-dodger! Luckily we have always had at least some actual men available to fight America’s enemies.
“Isolationist” Weasels like you always sit far to the rear, carping - In the freedom bought with our lives and our bodies.
Funny thing to say to a former Naval line officer...
Also a veteran of the Persian Gulf Campaign who also spent time in Beirut getting shot at and who knew and worked with marines killed in the barracks bombing.
What exactly did you do?
I’m surprised some university hasn’t dedicated buildings to these guys.
Enlisted Marine in combat in Vietnam for 15 months - then nearly a year in five hospitals. Recovered, then commissioned and commanded a battalion in mid-90s. 27 years service total.
I have bled for this country and no use for people who belittle our service with neoisolationism.
Then you should know better...
58,000 of your compatriots died for no f'n reason. When you came home, were those deaths worth it?
I dug dead marines out of the rubble of their barracks with my bare hands. Was Lebanon worth it?
I led men, and I am disgusted with politicians who commanded us to bring our young boys to die for nothing. Yes, most of these were for NOTHING. Would you be ready to send your own sons and grandsons to Ukraine to die for Biden?
You should honor your service and honor your comrades by insisting that the next time we send our young people to die, IT'S FOR A REASON. And there is only ONE reason -- safety and security of our OWN nation.
I have no use for people who belittle those who callously send our service people to die for globalism.
You should be ashamed.
Bad grammer.
I have no use for people who belittle those who stand up against those who callously send our service people to die for globalism.
And yes, you still should be ashamed...
You really are an idiot - the navy must have slipped a cog to have signed you up.
We are a world power and we have to fight anywhere our enemies are - or we’ll end up fighting them here.
You defame our fighting men everywhere with your head-in-the-sand world view. You’d probably be just fine if the Japanese or the Germans had beaten us - or for that matter, the Russians or the Chinese.
I am not, and never will be ashamed of our fighting me. I am ashamed of you ever wearing a uniform.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.