A forgotten and little know Uprising and Racial Riot by Black Troops during WWII in Mercer County Pa.

 Yes its hard to believe during WWII troops raising there voices in revolt  in the US  but that's exactly what happened in Mercer county. during WWII

While the Port Chicago explosion and revolt is widely known  by black troops and a movie made about how Black troops where mistreated it was the same here .

 It started while troops where training and awaiting deployment to overseas assignments  .

at the Shenango Personnel Replacement depot which later became camp Reynolds  .

which was located near Transfer Pa. which is North of Lake Shenango

https://campreynolds.com/history-page/history-page.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Reynolds

 

It was a hot summer and Black Troops where badly mistreated at Camp Reynolds  especially at the PX Store where unlike White Troops which had full use and buying of items  Black Troops where allowed water and a moon pie that was it .

Blacks also where quick to be picked up on a minor Day Pass  violation  or other simple matters. made to wear leg chains when taken to a local restaurant for meals often to be eaten outside if southern officers where eating 

There was also only one small black only theater and if there was room in white theater they had to sit in the back.  

Full Jim Crowe laws where being enforced. It was Mid July 1943

Black Troops had enough and a melee  occurred when they tried to enter the whites only PX 

it was quickly put down by white and black MP who where on duty. 2 soldiers where taken to 

onsite confinement and when those already there on charges heard what happened they broke out and started the fight all over again. This time armed with weapons and in the end 1 black soldier was killed.

but estimates are as high as 35. 

 Rioters where quickly rounded up and sent overseas to fight and its if the incident never happened . very little information or pictures is available. because of this blemish on the US Army Command