Mobilizing the South: The 31st Infantry Division, Race, and the Pacific War

Join Dr. Christopher Rein, of Air University Press at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, author of the forthcoming book Mobilizing the South: The 31st Infantry Division, Race, and the Pacific War. The 31st Infantry “Dixie” Division included pre-war members of the Florida National Guard, who helped to build one of America’s largest training centers in WWII – Camp Blanding in Starke, Florida. Deployed Dixie Division members from the segregated South notoriously displayed hostility towards African-American units serving in the Southwest Pacific Theater. Dr. Rein will explore the complicated legacy of Florida’s role in World War II as victories over race-based imperialism abroad failed to stop racial prejudice at home. Reception begins at 5:30 PM and the program follows at 6:00 PM. Seating is limited, so RSVP at MobilizingWW2.eventbrite.com.  Funding for this program was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.