Ulysses Grant Lee (1913 – 1969) was a distinguished American historian, educator, and military officer, most renowned for his groundbreaking work, The Employment of Negro Troops. As a major in the United States Army and a pioneering historian, Lee's research provided a critical and detailed account of the experiences and contributions of African American soldiers during World War II. His efforts made him one of the first African Americans to author a volume in the official military history series of the U.S. Army.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1913, Ulysses Lee embarked on his academic journey at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, an historically Black university, where he successfully completed his undergraduate studies. He subsequently pursued advanced education, earning his Ph.D. in history from the University of Chicago. His doctoral research focused on American history, providing him with a robust foundation for his later historical scholarship.Military and Academic Career
Prior to and during World War II, Lee served as a history professor at Lincoln University. His academic pursuits were interrupted by his military service, as he joined the United States Army during World War II, achieving the rank of major. Following the war, his unique combination of experience as an African American officer and a formally trained historian made him exceptionally suited for a pivotal role within the War Department's Historical Division.In 1946, Lee was recruited to the Historical Division (which later became the Office of the Chief of Military History, OCMH) with the specific assignment of researching and documenting the experiences of African American troops during World War II. This assignment was part of a broader initiative to produce a comprehensive official history of the Army's wartime operations. Lee's project was particularly significant due to its focus on a subject that had often been marginalized or omitted from mainstream historical narratives.
Major Works and Legacy
Lee's most significant and lasting contribution is his meticulously researched book, ''The Employment of Negro Troops''. Published in 1966, this volume formed an integral part of the extensive 79-volume series United States Army in World War II, colloquially known as "the Green Books." Lee's work offered an unprecedented and detailed account of the systemic challenges, racial discrimination, and undeniable heroism displayed by African American soldiers. It covered the formation of segregated units, their varied roles across different theaters of war, and the initial steps towards desegregation within the military structure.His scholarship was groundbreaking for several key reasons:
- It delivered an authoritative, scholarly account from the unique perspective of an African American historian, offering an invaluable insider's understanding of the subject matter.
- It frankly addressed the pervasive racial biases within the military while simultaneously celebrating the extraordinary resilience, courage, and achievements of Black service members.
- It made a substantial contribution to the understanding of the civil rights movement as it intersected with military service and the broader fabric of American society.
Ulysses Lee's scholarly contributions remain indispensable for researchers and students of military history, African American history, and civil rights. He passed away in 1969, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering historical scholarship that continues to shape contemporary discussions about race, military service, and American national identity.