In the crucial final year of World War II, the spirited leader of the US Third Army, George S Patton Jr, stood on top of a half track near a battlefield in France, looked around the men in front of him from the 761st Tank Battalion, and addressed them with the following words:- "Men, you are the first Negro tankers ever to fight in the American Army. I would never have asked for you if you weren't good. I have nothing but the best in my army. I don't care what color you are, so long as you go up there and kill those Kraut sonsabitches! Everyone has their eyes on you and is expecting great things from you. Most of all, your race is looking forward to you. Don't let them down and, damn you, don't let me down!"