"If your (p. 217)
soldiers don't know how, teach them."[8-23]

[Footnote 8-22: At the suggestion of Secretary
Patterson, General Huebner established the position
of Negro adviser. After several candidates were
considered, the post went to Marcus Ray, who left
the secretary's office and went on active duty.]

[Footnote 8-23: Interv, author with Huebner.]

General Huebner got his chance in March 1947 when the command decided
to use some 3,000 unassigned black troops in guard duties formerly
performed by the 1st Infantry Division. The men were organized into
two infantry battalions,[8-24] but because of their low test scores
Huebner decided to establish a twelve-to thirteen-week training
program at the Grafenwohr Training Center and directed the commanding
general of the 1st Division to train black soldiers in both basic
military and academic subjects. Huebner concluded his directive by
saying:

This is our first opportunity to put into effect in a large way
the War Department policy on Negro soldiers as announced in War
Department Circular No. 124, 1946. Owing to the necessity for
rapid training, and to the press of occupational duties, little
time has been available in the past for developing the leadership
of the Negro soldier. We can now do that.... I wish you to study
the program, its progress, its deficiencies and its advantages,
in order that a full report may be compiled and lessons in
operation and training drawn.[8-25]

[Footnote 8-24: The 370th and 371st Infantry
Battalions (Separate) were organized on 20 June
1947. The men came from EUCOM's inactivated
engineer service battalions and construction
companies, ambulance companies, and ordnance
ammunition, quartermaster railhead, signal heavy
construction, and transportation corps car
companies; see Geis Monograph, p. 80.]

[Footnote 8-25: Ltr, CG, Ground and Service Forces,
Europe, to CG, 1st Inf Div, 1 May 47, sub: Training
of Negro Infantry Battalions, quoted in Geis
Monograph, pp. 113-14.]

As the improved military bearing and efficiency of black trainees and
the subsequ