World War II Honoree

Joseph Louis 'Joe Louis' Barrow

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lafayette, Alabama

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

HE ENLISTED AS A PRIVATE IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY AT CAMP UPTON, LONG ISLAND. HE FOUGHT CHARITY BOUTS FOR THE NAVY RELIEF SOCIETY ON JANUARY 9, 1942, AND ON MARCH 27, 1942. REALIZING HIS POTENTIAL FOR ELEVATING ESPRIT DE CORPS AMONG THE TROOPS, THE ARMY PLACED HIM IN ITS SPECIAL SERVICES DIVISION RATHER THAN DEPLOYING HIM INTO COMBAT. HE WOULD GO ON A CELEBRITY TOUR WITH OTHER NOTABLE BOXERS. HE TRAVELED MORE THAN 21,000 MILES AND STAGED 96 BOXING EXHIBITIONS BEFORE TWO MILLION SOLDIERS. IN ADDITION TO HIS TRAVELS, HE WAS THE FOCUS OF A MEDIA RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN ENCOURAGING AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN TO ENLIST IN THE ARMED SERVICES, DESPITE THE MILITARY'S RACIAL SEGREGATION. HE WAS EVENTUALLY PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF SERGEANT, AND WAS AWARDED THE LEGION OF MERIT MEDAL FOR 'INCALCULABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE GENERAL MORALE.' RECEIPT OF THE HONOR QUALIFIED HIM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM MILITARY SERVICE ON OCTOBER 1, 1945.