Call to Service: The Korean War Story of Lt. General Julius W. Becton, Jr.
Julius W. Becton, Jr. began his long career as an officer in the United States Army on August 16, 1945 – two days following the announced surrender of Japan, ending World War II. His long career would lead from his beginnings as a 2nd lieutenant all the way to the rank of lieutenant general, and the command of thousands of soldiers in VII Corps, stationed in Germany.
Following retirement in 1983, Lt. General Becton served as Director of the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance in the United States Agency for International Development (US AID) and Director of FEMA from 1985 to 1989. He would also serve as president of Prairie View A&M University – his alma mater – and Superintendent of the Washington, DC public school system.
Prior to these many achievements, it was his experience as a platoon leader in Korea that first distinguished Becton among his peers. He would earn the Silver Star for his valor in combat with L Company of 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry. For his valor in combat, command on the battlefield, and his leadership as an officer, Becton would go on to become one of the United States Army’s most respected soldiers.
On November 6, 2008, Lt. General Becton joined the American Veterans Center’s 11th Annual Conference to recount the days in Korea that forged the character that led to his later successes. The following are his remarks.
Prior to these many achievements, it was his experience as a platoon leader in Korea that first distinguished Becton among his peers. He would earn the Silver Star for his valor in combat with L Company of 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry. For his valor in combat, command on the battlefield, and his leadership as an officer, Becton would go on to become one of the United States Army’s most respected soldiers.
On November 6, 2008, Lt. General Becton joined the American Veterans Center’s 11th Annual Conference to recount the days in Korea that forged the character that led to his later successes. The following are his remarks.
On the 26th of July 1948, President Truman signed Executive Order 9981, establishing the President’s Commission on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services. The order read in part, “Whereas it is essential that there be maintained in the armed services of the United States the highest standards of democracy, with equality of treatment and opportunity for all those who serve in our country’s defense. Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States and as Commander in Chief of the armed services, it is hereby ordered as follows: It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all the persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin.â€
Of course, the executive order had zero to do with the start of the Korean War. However, its impact on the Army and to some extent all services was destined to be monumental. As you know the North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel on the 25th of June 1950, almost 23 months after the President Truman issued his order. The order further said in part, “This policy shall be put into effect as rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or morale.â€
The vast majority of the Army on June 25, 1950 was still segregated. As far as many of the senior officers were concerned, it would stay that way. As an example of what I am talking about: I was a reservist on active duty at Aberdeen Proving Ground for two weeks training between semesters in college. After the executive order was issued, the commander of Aberdeen assembled all the officer personnel in the post theatre and read the order to the assembly. Then he said, “As long as I am the commander here, there will be no change.†In effect, Officer Club #1, Officer Club #2; Noncommissioned Officer Club #1, Noncommissioned Officer Club #2; Swimming Pool #1, Swimming Pool #2. In too many cases, that was the prevailing view of many senior officers.
I was a premed student at Muhlenburg College at the time and doing quite well academically. Earlier that year on January 29, my high school sweetheart and I were married. By the time the executive order was issued, we were facing a rather serious challenge. We were expecting our first child in December. Therefore my wife had to stop her work as a registered nurse in early fall. My VA stipend was not enough to cover our expenses, and I had to give up my football scholarship much earlier due to an injury.
