Struggle & Resistance Achievement & Excellence

April 1941

The 761st Tank Battalion was activated in April 1941 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, as part of the Army's segregated force structure. Despite repeated requests, the unit waited three years before being sent to combat. When finally committed in November 1944 under General Patton, their performance over 183 days of continuous combat destroyed the rationale for excluding Black soldiers from armored warfare.

Events

April 1941
761st Tank Battalion activated at Camp Claiborne
The 761st Tank Battalion was activated in April 1941 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, as part of the Army's segregated force structure. Despite repeated requests, the unit waited three years before being sent to combat. When finally committed in November 1944 under General Patton, their performance over 183 days of continuous combat destroyed the rationale for excluding Black soldiers from armored warfare.
April 8, 1941
Joe Louis defeats Tony Musto to open year of title defenses
Joe Louis knocked out Tony Musto on April 8, 1941, beginning what sportswriters dubbed the 'Bum of the Month' tour — a series of heavyweight title defenses across 1941 in which Louis fought seven challengers including Billy Conn (June 18, 1941), whom he stopped in the 13th round when Conn was ahead on points. Louis's consistent dominance made him the most admired Black athlete in America.