by S. Rotan Hale
History is flooded with stories of men at war and Roanoker William Garfield Dabney (aka Bill) is certainly part of that history.
Dabney traveled to France (June 2009) to take part in the 65th Anniversary of the 1944 D-Day invasion in Normandy, France. The Omaha and Utah beach landings are understood by many historians as the most important campaign of WWII. The affair was attended by various French dignitaries as well as (then) President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle.
Dabney joined the service at age 18 and says he enlisted to follow his buddies. He recalls that troop morale escalated once they got to England and experienced the warmth of being treated as equal by the Europeans. It was a world totally unlike the demeaning segregated training camps in the US.
During the war he was a member of the 320th Anti-aircraft Barrage Balloon Battalion, the only all-Black unit engaged in the Normandy invasion. As part of the D-Day anniversary ceremony the French government honored William Garfield Dabney as the only living member of that unit. He was presented the Legion of Honor–France’s equivalent of the Medal of Honor.
Over the years countless stories have chronicled the contributions thousands of African American soldiers have made serving gallantly in the nation’s wars–many sacrificing for a country that didn’t even consider them first class citizens.
Nonetheless, they fought the evils of both Hitler’s fascism abroad and America’s racism not only at home but within the ranks of the Armed Forces where segregation was just as prevalent.
Dabney tells of how he and others enjoyed going into the English pubs singing, dancing and interacting freely with the locals–experiencing the kind of hospitality and respect they never received back in the US. It was a different world with no “whites only” signs.
Approximately 2000 African American troops arrived in England in preparation for the D-Day invasion. Dabney’s unit was among the main forces crossing the English Channel landing on the beaches of Normandy and he vividly recalls the fierce fighting on that infamous day.
Dabney rose to the rank of Corporal and led one of several units responsible for the operation of anti-aircraft balloons which hovered at low altitudes trailing bombs attached with cables.
“The German planes would fly into the undetected cables and blow up,” he explained. Amazingly through all of the bombs and gunfire Dabney says he was among the lucky ones who returned home.
After his military service, he returned to the area and established Dabney Floors where he was owner and operator for many years. At his 90th birthday celebration, several attendees spoke of Dabney’s top-notch work ethic and his skills as a master carpet man.
Others mentioned such amiable qualities as his love of /and knack for cooking and how he always was the first person on the dance floor at various functions over the years.
Dabney has been featured in documentaries regarding African American servicmen and received awards from the Congressional Black Caucus Veteran’s Braintrust. He was recognized as Hometown Hero by the Harrison Museum of African-American Culture where he was presented the Key to the City. He was also made an honorary member of the Buffalo Soldiers.
As a member of the Esquires Club, he served as president for more than 15 years until the club was dissolved. He was also featured in the book, “Courage Has No Color, The True Story of the Triple Nickles: America’s First Black Paratroopers” by Tanya Lee Stone.
His service awards include: the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Ribbon, European, African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon with Bronze Arrowhead, Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Ribbon and the World War II Victory Ribbon.
Dabney, at age 94, died at a local hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 12, survived by his beloved wife Beulah, with whom he would have celebrated their 67th anniversary on December 22. Also surviving are their three sons; Vincent, Michael, Marlon, and a host of grandchildren and great grand-children who will proudly honor the legacy of this well-loved family man, businessman and decorated WWII vet.
Services in his honor will be held at 11am, Thursday, Dec. 20 at High Street Baptist Church.
