Representing the American Battle Monuments Commission on May 21, Commissioner Raymond D. Kemp Sr. co-hosted an event with Linda Hervieux, author of the book “Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-Day’s Black Heroes,” at the American Library in Paris. 

More than one million Black American men and women served in uniform during World War II. Kemp and Hervieux discussed the importance to remember and acknowledge the deeds of Black service members who participated in World War II and the D-Day landings in France.

They provided powerful examples such as the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion or individual stories that were particularly moving such as the ones of Doris “Dorie” Miller, the first African American recipient of the Navy Cross, or Henry Parham.

After the conference, the audience asked questions that enabled Kemp to share his experience of what it was like to be an African American when he entered the U.S. Navy compared to today in the U.S.

Kemp is a U.S. Navy veteran whose 33 years of service culminated as the Fleet Master Chief of Europe and Africa. While on active duty, he served six presidents, completing 11 combat deployments, with 19 years of sea duty. In times of high conflict, he provided training and mentorship for sailors during the execution of their duties. As the Fleet Master Chief of Europe and Africa, he had oversight and influence over 56,000 service members, civilians, contractors and family members. He is the founder of Kemp Solutions LLC, a leadership development and resilience building company.

ABMC sites are a constant reminder of Gen. John J. Pershing’s promise that “time will not dim the glory of their deeds.”

Sources:

ABMC

(Hybrid) The Forgotten Soldiers of D-Day with Linda Hervieux and Raymond Kemp – The American Library in Paris