The 1942 Lee Street Riot: Battle on American Soil

The 1942 Lee Street Riot, eyewitnesses described it as a massacre where "bodies were stacked like cordwood" however official military records differ. Many stories of the 761st Tank Battalion fail to mention the violent confrontations these soldiers and other Black military personnel faced on American soil before they ever reached the battlefield.

One of the most significant incidents occurred on January 10, 1942 - just one month after Pearl Harbor - in Alexandria, Louisiana, a town adjacent to several military training camps including Camp Claiborne, where the 761st Tank Battalion was formed.

The Night of January 10, 1942

Lee Street was the vibrant heart of Alexandria's Black community, lined with churches, restaurants, theaters, and businesses. On weekend evenings, thousands of soldiers on leave would come into town seeking entertainment and respite from the grueling segregated military training.

On this particular Saturday night, hundreds of Black soldiers were strolling in and out of bars and nightclubs under "the watchful gaze of members of the predominantly white military police." The situation escalated when "a white MP moved to arrest a Black soldier in front of the Ritz movie theater, and soon he was surrounded by an angry crowd."

What happened next remains disputed in official records. The military's official account dramatically understates what many eyewitnesses and historians describe as a massacre. According to the War Department's official report, "three African-American soldiers were critically wounded and 29 others required medical treatment as a result of the 'Riot.'"

However, local historical accounts and testimony from witnesses tell a different story. When the confrontation escalated, "law enforcement officers answered by shooting into the crowd." One witness would later recount that "bodies were stacked like cordwood," and local morticians reported "they'd been ordered to embalm dead soldiers."

The Aftermath and Cover-Up

Michael Wynne, a local historian who helped research the event, notes that "records are not clear on what exactly happened that day as official military records, newspaper coverage and stories told by survivors all tell different stories." The confrontation reportedly lasted "between 2 and 6 hours" and according to a local newspaper, "30 gas bombs were used that night by the Alexandria Police Department to quell the disturbance."

The true death toll has never been officially acknowledged. Some reports suggest that as many as 10-15 Black soldiers were killed, though the area was quickly cordoned off and reports from both the government and media remain vague.

Connection to the 761st Tank Battalion

While specific documentation connecting members of the 761st Tank Battalion to this incident is limited, we do know that Black soldiers in the area "were subject to many racist crimes perpetrated by White soldiers, including a bloody riot between members of a neighboring segregated tank battalion and White military policemen in Alexandria, Louisiana on 10 January 1942."

This incident had such an impact that "several members of the 761st vowed to retaliate. They commandeered six tanks and a half-track but were persuaded to stand down by Lieutenant Colonel Bates who promised to straighten the situation out."

Their motto—"Come Out Fighting"—took on meaning both on the battlefield in Europe and in their struggle for respect and recognition at home.

Why This History Matters

The Lee Street Riot illustrates the double battles that Black soldiers fought during World War II—against fascism abroad and racism at home. These men showed extraordinary courage and patriotism by continuing to serve a country that did not treat them as equal citizens.

When we honor the achievements of units like the 761st Tank Battalion, we must also acknowledge the full scope of their experience, including the violence and discrimination they faced on American soil.

In 2021, nearly 80 years after the incident, the City of Alexandria finally erected a historical marker at the site of the former Ritz Theater to commemorate the event, though the marker's text aligns with the more conservative official account.

Honoring Their Complete Legacy

As we sell products celebrating the achievements of the 761st Tank Battalion and other Black military units, we believe in telling their complete story. Their triumphs are even more remarkable when understood in the context of the obstacles they overcame.

The men of the 761st went on to serve with distinction in Europe, fighting for 183 consecutive days and earning numerous decorations for valor. They helped defeat Nazi Germany while still fighting for dignity and equality in their own nation.