Skip to content

World War II veteran calls it 'a miracle’: Honorable discharge from Army to correct an ‘injustice,’ nearly 75 years later

Nearly 75 years later, the Army has granted an honorable discharge to a World War II veteran from Philadelphia who was kicked out of the military in 1945 and given a "blue discharge" because he was black.

Nelson Henry, Jr., 95, shown here in his home in Philadelphia, talks about his eviction from the U.S. Army in 1945 with a "blue discharge." Nearly 75 years later, the Army upgraded his discharge to honorable.
Nelson Henry, Jr., 95, shown here in his home in Philadelphia, talks about his eviction from the U.S. Army in 1945 with a "blue discharge." Nearly 75 years later, the Army upgraded his discharge to honorable.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer