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Leroy Reece transcript

 Collection — Container: Single Folder Collections - 2004 Box 5 (04.0155-04.0183), Folder: 04.0163 - Folder 1
Identifier: 04.0163

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of an oral history interview transcript of Leroy Reece who served as a Private First Class in the United States Army during World War II in the all-black unit, Company B, 317th Engineer Battalion which served in the European Theater.

Dates

  • Created: 1942-1945
  • Other: Date acquired: 06/02/2004

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to all researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical or Historical Information

Leroy Reece was born on May 26, 1922, in Monticello, Florida and died on June 8, 2006. Reece volunteered himself to the Army in 1942 at Camp Blanding, Florida. From there, he went to Camp Claiborne, Lousiana and then embarked to England from Camp Shanks, New York. He traveled on the Queen Mary to England as a part of the all-black unit, Company B, 317th Engineer Battalion.

Reece entered Normandy Beach on D-Day plus 8 and went through France and into Germany with General George S. Patton. While in Louisiana and England, Reece was involved in riots due to violent discrimination against his regiment. He further described instances of racism in the North and South, foreigners' reactions to his race, and relations with women abroad. He also noted his buddies' reactions to Roosevelt's death. After the war, Reece lived in Bronx, NY and worked as a cab driver and Post Office worker. He eventually returned to Monticello, FL.

Note written by Jenna Pope

Extent

1.00 folders

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Transferred from the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience to FSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives in July 2022.

Source of Acquisition

Leroy Reece

Method of Acquisition

Donation

Title
Leroy Reece transcript
Author
Jenna Pope
Date
10/08/2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the FSU Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
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