Reginald Clifton Grier
Bio
Reginald Clifton Grier has an extensive military background, spanning from World War II to the Vietnam War. He joined the United States Army in 1946 to take advantage of the GI Bill, which would help him pay for college. During his basic training in Louisiana, he refused to give up his seat on a trolley and noticed how different the south was from New York. In World War II, he was sent to Italy and served as a Military Policeman. He takes pride in serving in an all-Black Military Police Company. After the war, he returned to college but was recalled to military service in 1952. He was sent to Korea where he worked primarily as a Criminal Investigator. In 1956, he returned to Korea but this time as a Signal Officer. While serving in the 82nd Airborne Division, he completed one hundred and twenty-six parachute jumps. After serving in Vietnam, he returned to Korea with the intention of adopting a child from an orphanage he often visited. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army, he earned a master’s degree and a doctorate degree from George Washington University. He has taught at esteemed institutions such as West Virginia Tech and William Patterson University. He is committed to various organizations, one of which includes serving as the Maryland Senior Olympics commissioner.
Video Clips
Experiencing Racism When on Day Pass
Reginald Clifton Grier reminisces about an incident that occurred during his basic training. He narrates how he was asked to vacate his seat on a trolley car while on a day pass in Louisiana. He recalls refusing to do so, stating he was from New York and not accustomed to being treated in such a disrespectful manner.
Criminal Investigations in Korea
Reginald Clifton Grier discusses his experience of returning to the reserves and college after serving in World War II. He recalls being called back into service in 1952 and spending eight months in Korea. He describes his primary responsibility during deployment as investigating accidents and other crimes in the Busan area.
Back to Korea as a Signal Officer
Reginald Clifton Grier discusses his service as a communication officer during his second deployment to Korea in 1956. He describes how he ensured there was proper communication between companies up to the regimental headquarters as well as with the artillery and other divisions. He recalls performing this task using both radio and VHF modes of communication.
Experiences in a Desegregated Military
Reginald Clifton Grier explains how the desegregation of the military transformed the institution but not necessarily the people within it. He recalls how he received lower evaluations simply because his commanding officer could not give a Black and White soldier the same rating. He notes how during his evaluations of junior officers, he drew upon his own experiences and upheld the principles of impartial assessment to evaluate their leadership and skills with utmost fairness.
Third Return to Korea
Reginald Clifton Grier discusses returning to Korea for a third time in 1969. He remembers witnessing the handover of border guarding duties from the United States to South Korean forces. He recalls having the opportunity to volunteer with an orphanage in Korea and forming a close bond with a little girl who would follow him around. He shares that he adopted the little girl, and he now has four grandchildren.