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AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE AT CAMP EVANS
NoShortClimb
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An Oral History of African-Americans and the Development of Radar Defense Technology at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey 1940-1959 Copyright and |
During the great civil rights struggles of the 1960s the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of the great dilemma the victims of slavery faced. As slaves for 244 years, then segregated and denied opportunity over the next 100 years, unrealistic expectations were placed upon these Men and women as segregation was being put to death by the effective tactics of 'non-violence'. Certain groups demanded these persons be as resourceful and productive as the individuals who never knew such repression and discrimination.
Thanks to the work of Professor Robert Johnson Jr., who conducted a series of oral histories in the early 1990s, the resourcefulness, productivity, and patriotism of men and women of African American heritage at Camp Evans was brought forth. Given (or more accurately - not denied) the opportunity to achieve and contribute these persons did.
During WWII African Americans demonstrated the spirit and personal heroism that would again be drawn upon in the 1960s to save America from the grip of racial injustice. African Americans associated with Camp Evans became Ph.Ds, accomplished engineers, decorated officers and respected managers. As example, Dr. Walter McAfee would help open the space age, but sadly his part would not be mentioned until later.
Author Thomas Daniels would write in 1988,
"The original 20 Black engineers and physicists who arrived at Fort
Monmouth
in the early 1940s set a blazing trail of technical accomplishments for
the U.S. Army and set the pace for those Blacks who followed." He
observed, "Current books on Black inventors, scientists or
engineers
fail to mention the many inventions, developments and
advancements
made in radar, avionics, cornrnunication, satellites, electronic
warfare,
infrared, solid state, computer science, meteorology and electronic
components
by both civilians and military, particularly at Fort
Monmouth."
It is our hope the web page will contribute to changing this.
Read the oral histories below that the video is based upon and learn the reality of the times. In spite of personal insult and injustice these persons kept control of the one thing we all have at our control, our reaction. Ones reaction to injustice is similar to the decision to practice racism, it is a personal choice.
In spite of helping to win WWII, winning
opportunity
at home would be "No Short Climb"
over the next twenty years.
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This group has many WWII pioneers of a different
sort.
Patriotic Americans who helped win WWII for freedom and democracy even though they would have to demand and win it again in the 1960s on the home front. 
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Link to Dr. Walter McAfee interview
Link to Mr. Harold Tate interview
Link to Mr. William J. Jones interview
**A video segment of Mr. William J, Jones interview jones1.avi ( File size 17,412KB ) **TO BE ADDED SOON**
"Infoage Science History
Center". Mail
the check to Infoage, 2201 Marconi Road Wall, NJ 07719.
Infoage holds a 501 (c) 3 certificate, your donations are tax deductable, as allowed by law.
Thank you to the family of Mr. Loren Stone (
above)
who shared this group photo from his memorbilia.
 Robert Johnson Jr |
And thanks to Professor Johnson
for conducting
these interviews and bringing this imporant story forth in text and a
documentary. Over a period of ten years Professor Johnson
has dedicated personal time and his resources to this excellent
work.
He has preserved an inspiring stories for the future. Click here for the "No Short Climb" Page. |
Other pages relating to African-American History at Camp Evans and Fort Monmouth:
February 26, 1982 Black
Leaders - Many contributed to communications achievements.,
by Wilhemina Mitchell, Monmouth Message, Page 5
January 1988, High
Level Achivers - Black
Scientific
and Engineering Contributors to the U.S. Army at Fort Monmouth, New
Jersey,
by Thomas E. Daniels, Journal of the NTA, Page 14-19
Feburary 1988 CONTRIBUTIONS
OF BLACK AMERICANS TO ELECTRONIC RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION
DISTRIBUTION,
AND TRAINING AT FORT MONMOUTH, 1940-1982 BY
THOMAS E. DANIELS
Feburary 21, 1995 "Walter
McAfee, helped boost U.S. into space"., Asbury Park Press
July 31, 1997 Fort
Monmouth building dedicated in honor of the late Dr. Walter McAfee.
by Janine Bilotti, The Coast Star
August 14, 2000 Little
Known Black History Facts, by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, published by
McDonald's
Corporation Pg 12
A booklet
sold by McDonald's Resturants from August 14, 2000 to September 14,
2000.
Dr. MacAfee of Project Diana is featured on page 12.
September 2, 2000 Late
South Belmar resident included in Little Known Black History Facts.
The Coast Star, by Andrea Agardy, Pg.8
March 4, 2002 Radar
facility provided outlet for black excellence. By Fred Carl, Guest
writer, Asbury Park Press, Page B1 and B2
February 24, 2004 Documentary
highlights black WWII scientists By Jeff Adair / News Staff Writer,
MetroWest Daily News
March 6, 2007 "No Short Climb" a
documentary is
released on
DVD and available at the
InfoAge Gift Shop
Page updated March 6,
2007
- Page created March 20, 2001
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