STRAIGHT IN THE ARMY

Straight In The Army

Walter Jenkins had it all- a decent job, a beautiful girlfriend, a loving family, and good friends. But that all changed when he received his draft notice. The year is 1943, and the war in Europe was hot and heavy. Racism is alive and strong in the United States. Walter reluctantly joined the all-black 761st Tank Battalion, where he formed friendships that would last a lifetime with Bubba, Tank, Winston, and Charles. Walter experienced racism, homophobia, and the horrors of war in the blood-soaked fields of France and beyond. But through it all, he learned the true value of friendship.

The haunting image of white men standing at their station with rifles, determined to shoot the black soldier, captivates readers. Even a reference to Jackie Robinson, who was a lieutenant at the time, adds to the aura of division and, ultimately, the path that leads to unifying the country. The Harlem Raiders, as the 761st battalion has named their tank, ends up playing a pivotal role, one that pushes Jenkins and company to the brink of survival but never rattles their resolve. Transporting readers to the most tenuous moment in world history, World War II. Buchanan paints a poignant picture of the racial tensions during segregation while simultaneously shedding light on a tenacious group of Black soldiers who would form the first all-Black battalion: the 761st Tank Battalion. Using Jenkins, who is in a nursing home in the present day, and Joseph Shapiro, a representative from Stabler Books, who is there to take down his story. Buchanan delivers dynamic commentary on topics ranging from war and division to enduring friendships.