Eugene Bullard was born in Columbus, Georgia during a time when African-Americans were terrorized. At the age of 11 he ran away from Columbus searching for freedom and a better way of life. He stowed away on a German Freighter bound for Scotland where he found work as an entertainer and boxer. He eventually made his way to Paris.
When WWI broke out Bullard enlisted in the Foreign Legion. In 1916 he volunteered for the Aéronautique Militaire. When the US entered the war Bullard tried to enlist in the U.S. Air Service but was rejected. He returned to the French Air Corp.
After the war he was a successful businessman owning a nightclub (Le Grand Duc), an American-style bar (L’Escadrille), and operating an athletic club.
When the Second World War broke out Bullard became a machine gunner in the 51st Infantry Regiment. He was wounded and returned to the U.S. settling in the Harlem district of New York.
Life in post-war New York was hard for Bullard as it was for most African-Americans. Historians use the term "Racial Discrimination" to describe the terrorist acts that were committed against African-Americans. During this time many men and women were beaten and killed sometimes by the police officers and officials who were sworn to protect and uphold the law. This happened to Eugene Bullard on several occasions. The most notable was at infamous the Paul Robeson concert in Peekskill, New York where many including Bullard were beaten by police officers. You can see video footage of this beating in the documentary The Tallest Tree in Our Forest and the documentary Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist. Also, the image can be found here and in The Whole World in His Hands: a Pictorial Biography of Paul Robeson by Susan Robeson. Bullard's last job was as an elevator operator in Rockefeller Center. He worked at this job unknown or recognized for his service until 1959 when he was interviewed on the Today Show. He wore his elevator operator uniform on that interview. He died on October 12, 1961 and is buried in Flushing Cemetery in Queens, New York.
He was awarded
Légion d'honneur
Médaille militaire
Croix de guerre
Croix de guerre
Croix du combattant volontaire 1914-1918
Insigne des blessés militaires
Médaille Interalliée 1914–1918
Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1914-1918
Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1939–1945
Insignia for the Military Wounded
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All photos can be found on https://commons.wikimedia.org/
