World War II veteran Lonnie Burrell describes some of his experiences while serving in the Army of the United States from 1943-1946. He served with the United States Army Transportation Corps 592nd Port Company in the Asiatic-Pacific theater of World War II.

The 592nd was attached to the 5th United States Marine Division during the Invasion of Iwo Jima in 1945. A segregated “colored” Army unit, as Port Companies on Iwo Jima were, unloaded cargo from ships, supported combat operations, and evacuated casualties during the campaign to seize the island. The unit was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for its support to the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima from 19-28 February 1945.

This is the second of five episodes, Burrell relives his days stationed at Fort Lawton, Washington. He describes the tensions associated with actions on the base as the nation mobilized for war in the pacific. He also describes racial encounters, on and off-base, in a segregated Army and a segregated country. This interview was conducted in December 1999 at his home in Houston, by his son Moses Burrell.