World War II Honoree

Asa 'A.' Philip Randolph

Hometown

New York, New York

Honored By

Richard E. Miller

FLORIDA BORN, AFRO-AMERICAN LABOR LEADER. INTENT ON FORCING THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO END DISCRIMINATION AGAINST BLACKS IN THE BURGEONING DEFENSE RELATED INDUSTRIES, HONOREE BEGAN TOURING THE COUNTRY IN 1940, BUILDING SUPPORT FOR HIS PLANNED MARCH ON WASHINGTON. THE PROTEST MARCH WAS CANCELLED AFTER PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 8802 IN 1941, NOMINALLY BANNING DISCRIMINATION IN CIVILIAN DEFENSE PLANT JOBS. THE ORDER WAS SEEN AS A MAJOR CONCESSION BY THE GOVERNMENT; BUT THE HONOREE AND OTHER BLACK LEADERS CONTINUED TO PRESS FOR ANOTHER MAJOR GOAL, AN END TO RACIAL SEGREGATION IN THE ARMED FORCES, AN OBJECTIVE NOT ACHIEVED UNTIL AFTER THE WAR WAS OVER.