Forged in Battle: African American Officers Serving in the United States Army

Two wars...two soldiers...who are forged in battle. Forged in Battle: African American Officers Serving in the United States Army explores the complex and multi-dimensional military career of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm veteran, Lieutenant Colonel Cleola M. Davis (retired) as she chronicles her experiences and shares stories with Vietnam War hero, Colonel James M. Jones (retired).

Colonel Jones's vivid memories of himself as a young second lieutenant, Infantry Platoon Leader conducting a routine mission in Vietnam 1967 set the tone for Lieutenant Colonel Davis's stories. Her journey began the day she assumed company command at the rank of captain in 1989. Davis's stories guide readers through the ups and downs of her military assignments and the trauma brought about by years of unchecked impunities of racial bias, unrepentant abuse, and discrimination in Army award, promotion, and command selection processes.

People of various backgrounds and beliefs will understand, empathize, and learn from the situations in this book. It shows fearless warriors facing and fighting multiple enemies in battles between right and wrong, friendships and enemies, black and white, leadership and cowardice. Forged in Battle is a story of strength, integrity and, above all, faith when facing the enemies of justice.