the two black units became operational and were about to be sent to
the Central and South Pacific. The eighteen white defense (p. 110)
battalions were subsequently reorganized as antiaircraft artillery
battalions for use with amphibious groups in the forward areas. While
the two black units were similarly reorganized, only they and one of
the white units retained the title of defense battalion. Their
deployment was also different. The policy of self-contained,
segregated service was, in the case of a large combat unit, best
followed in the rear areas, and the two black battalions were assigned
to routine garrison duties in the backwaters of the theater, the 51st
at Eniwetok in the Marshalls, the 52d at Guam. The latter unit saw
nearly half its combat-trained men detailed to work as stevedores. It
was not surprising that the morale in both units suffered.[4-31]

[Footnote 4-31: For a discussion of black morale in
the combat-trained units, see USMC Oral History
Interview, Obie Hall, 16 Aug 72, Ref Br, and John
H. Griffin, "My Life in the Marine Corps," Personal
Papers Collection, Museums Br. Both in Hist Div,
HQMC.]

Even more explicitly racial was the warning of a senior combat
commander to the effect that the deployment of black depot units to
the Polynesian areas of the Pacific should be avoided. The Polynesians,
he explained, were delightful people, and their "primitively romantic"
women shared their intimate favors with one and all. Mixture with the
white race had produced "a very high-class half-caste," mixture with
the Chinese a "very desirable type," but the union of black and
"Melanesian types ... produces a very undesirable citizen." The (p. 111)
Marine Corps, Maj. Gen. Charles F. B. Price continued, had a special
moral obligation and a selfish interest in protecting the population
of American Samoa, especially, from intimacy with Negroes; he strongly
urged therefore that any black units deployed to the Pacific should be
sent to Micronesia where they "can do no racial harm."[4-32]

[Footnote 4-32: Ltr, Maj Gen Charles F. B. Price to
Brig Gen Keller E. Rockey, 24 Apr 43; 26132, Ref
Br, Hist Div, HQMC.]

General Price must have been entertaining second thoughts, since two
depot companies were already en route to Samoa at his reque