In a final letter to his family, Pvt. 1st Class Thomas C. Hawkins, Company I, 3rd Battalion of the historic all-Black unit (24th Infantry Regiment) wrote: "Dear Mother and Father, When this letter reaches you I
will be beyond the veil of sorrow. I will be in heaven with the angels...I am sentenced to be hanged for the trouble that happened
in Houston, Texas. Altho (sic) I am not guilty of the crime that I am accused of, but mother, it is God's will that I go now and in
this way...."
On 13 Nov 2023 Army Secretary Christine Wormuth announced "After a thorough review, the [Army Board for Correction of Military Records] has found that these soldiers were wrongly treated because of their race and were not given fair trials. By setting aside their convictions and granting honorable discharges, the Army is acknowledging past mistakes and setting the record straight."
will be beyond the veil of sorrow. I will be in heaven with the angels...I am sentenced to be hanged for the trouble that happened
in Houston, Texas. Altho (sic) I am not guilty of the crime that I am accused of, but mother, it is God's will that I go now and in
this way...."
On 13 Nov 2023 Army Secretary Christine Wormuth announced "After a thorough review, the [Army Board for Correction of Military Records] has found that these soldiers were wrongly treated because of their race and were not given fair trials. By setting aside their convictions and granting honorable discharges, the Army is acknowledging past mistakes and setting the record straight."
In a final letter to his family, Pvt. 1st Class Thomas C. Hawkins, Company I, 3rd Battalion of the historic all-Black unit (24th Infantry Regiment) wrote: "Dear Mother and Father, When this letter reaches you I
will be beyond the veil of sorrow. I will be in heaven with the angels...I am sentenced to be hanged for the trouble that happened
in Houston, Texas. Altho (sic) I am not guilty of the crime that I am accused of, but mother, it is God's will that I go now and in
this way...."
On 13 Nov 2023 Army Secretary Christine Wormuth announced "After a thorough review, the [Army Board for Correction of Military Records] has found that these soldiers were wrongly treated because of their race and were not given fair trials. By setting aside their convictions and granting honorable discharges, the Army is acknowledging past mistakes and setting the record straight."
will be beyond the veil of sorrow. I will be in heaven with the angels...I am sentenced to be hanged for the trouble that happened
in Houston, Texas. Altho (sic) I am not guilty of the crime that I am accused of, but mother, it is God's will that I go now and in
this way...."
On 13 Nov 2023 Army Secretary Christine Wormuth announced "After a thorough review, the [Army Board for Correction of Military Records] has found that these soldiers were wrongly treated because of their race and were not given fair trials. By setting aside their convictions and granting honorable discharges, the Army is acknowledging past mistakes and setting the record straight."
Inscription
THOMAS C..
HAWKINS
------------------
NORTH CAROLINA
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PVT 1CL 24 INF.
DECEMBER 11, 1917
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