Tribute to the Veterans of the 1944 Ft. Lawton Courts-Martial, July 26, 2008
Journalist and author Jack Hamann and his wife Leslie Hamann conducted research into a confusing circumstance at Fort Lawton -- the presence of a grave of a WWII Italian prisoner of war. The underlying story was that in 1944 the Italian prisoner of war was found dead at Ft. Lawton, he had apparently been lynched. During the longest court-martial of World War II, the US Army history accused and convicted twenty-eight African American soldiers with rioting and three soldiers with the murder of the Italian soldier.
Jack and Leslie's research into a puzzling situation culminated in the publication of his book "On American Soil" which uncovers the truth of this tragedy and reveals the innocence of those convicted.
Events July 24-26 represent a tribute to the African-American soldiers and the fallen Italian soldier.
July 24: A Discussion on Race, Justice & the Military at Seattle University School of Law and a mass for the Italian soldier.
July 25: A tribute dinner at the Northwest African American Museum with the families and dignitaries.
July 26: Ceremony at Discovery Park and Community Picnic
Photos in this gallery are from July 26 only; see galleries for July 24 and 25 also in the Human Rights section.
For more about this story see: http://www.jackhamann.com/books.html
On September 4, 2008 The Washington State Bar Association announced that Jack Hamann will receive their Excellence In Legal Journalism Award, see: http://wsba.org/media/releases/hamannjournalism0908.htm
BREAKING NEWS:
Fort Lawton Provision Signed Into Law
October 14, 2008
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) announced that the President signed the Department of Defense Authorization bill today that included a provision to award back-pay plus interest to the Fort Lawton soldiers absolved of any wrong doing for a World War II era crime they did not commit. The provision is Sec 592 in S. 3001.
“Justice has prevailed, but more than that, the dignity, courage and honor lived by Samuel Snow, Booker Townsell and other African American soldiers throughout a half century of racial injustice will write a new chapter in American history that children will learn about for generations to come,” Rep. McDermott said. “While no amount of money can ever repay the lost opportunities endured by these African American soldiers, they would be the first to say it was never about money, it was always about equal protection under the law for everyone in America.”
Read MoreJack and Leslie's research into a puzzling situation culminated in the publication of his book "On American Soil" which uncovers the truth of this tragedy and reveals the innocence of those convicted.
Events July 24-26 represent a tribute to the African-American soldiers and the fallen Italian soldier.
July 24: A Discussion on Race, Justice & the Military at Seattle University School of Law and a mass for the Italian soldier.
July 25: A tribute dinner at the Northwest African American Museum with the families and dignitaries.
July 26: Ceremony at Discovery Park and Community Picnic
Photos in this gallery are from July 26 only; see galleries for July 24 and 25 also in the Human Rights section.
For more about this story see: http://www.jackhamann.com/books.html
On September 4, 2008 The Washington State Bar Association announced that Jack Hamann will receive their Excellence In Legal Journalism Award, see: http://wsba.org/media/releases/hamannjournalism0908.htm
BREAKING NEWS:
Fort Lawton Provision Signed Into Law
October 14, 2008
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) announced that the President signed the Department of Defense Authorization bill today that included a provision to award back-pay plus interest to the Fort Lawton soldiers absolved of any wrong doing for a World War II era crime they did not commit. The provision is Sec 592 in S. 3001.
“Justice has prevailed, but more than that, the dignity, courage and honor lived by Samuel Snow, Booker Townsell and other African American soldiers throughout a half century of racial injustice will write a new chapter in American history that children will learn about for generations to come,” Rep. McDermott said. “While no amount of money can ever repay the lost opportunities endured by these African American soldiers, they would be the first to say it was never about money, it was always about equal protection under the law for everyone in America.”
