Publisher's Synopsis
Praise for From New Orleans to D-Day: "Black American Veterans are the least recognized group for their participation in WWII. In the year 2022 it is difficult to find living WWII veterans, and even harder to capture the stories of small racially segregated units. Yves Corver has excelled in bringing awareness to black veterans 77 years later. His book dives into how these veterans were key to victory. It is a must read for any history buff." -Andrew Biggio, Best- Selling Author 'The Rifle'
New York Harbor, November 16, 1943, Firmin Bellegarde, a nineteen year-old African American soldier is about to board the Aquitania bound for Scotland, Europe. He belongs to an all-black unit: the 320th Anti-Aircraft Barrage Balloon Battalion. After several months of preparation in Great Britain, Corporal Bellegarde and almost two thousand other Black GIs of the 320th VLA and a few service units will land on Omaha and Utah beaches in Normandy, on June 6, 1944.
The story of Firmin Bellegarde sheds light on the struggle of many Black Americans in the 1940s, who were determined to fight for their country, and obtain in return the same civil rights as the White Americans, in a segregated country, undermined by strong racist prejudices.
