With One Tied Hand - The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II

by Joe and Dayle Hartnett, Director & Producer of With One Tied Hand

Though veterans of the United States of America liberated others worldwide at immense sacrifice, a little told American story is the unique liberation of the Tuscan people by the Buffalo Soldiers of WWII. After the War ended, these courageous men were sent home to a 'Jim Crow' America. Italian history is strikingly different. The impoverished, starving Tuscans feel as if they owe their lives to the Buffalo Soldiers, whom they ...   ...  Read more
History
Documentary
Personal Journals

Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • Ivan Reads Flavio's Letter - Q&A

    Ivan Reads Flavio's Letter - Q&A

    S01 E04
    10:17

    Ivan reads Flavio's Letter and the audience learns of the great love and respect held by the Italian people, especially the Tuscans for these Black Warriors who liberated their villages, towns, and cities in 1944 and 1945. A Question and Answer session follows.

  • From Barga to Sommocolonia to the Florence-American Cemetery

    From Barga to Sommocolonia to the Florence-American Cemetery

    S01 E03
    07:40

    Ivan J. Houston tells the tragic story of Lt. John Fox, who sacrificed his life for his country and the villagers of Sommocolonia. Ivan visits the Florence-American Cemetery to honor his fallen comrades, some of whom he played cards with on the ship to Italy.

  • Crossing the Arno, Fighting Fascists and Nazis, and Liberating Italian Villages

    Crossing the Arno, Fighting Fascists and Nazis, and Liberating Italian Villages

    S01 E02
    09:57

    Ivan J. Houston and the 92nd Infantry "Buffalo Division" march North freeing thousands of starving Tuscan villagers. Ivan meets Mattea at the 500-year-old Villa La Dogana, where he also experiences first-hand the lasting gratitude of the Italian people for the "Buffalo Soldiers."

  • From Ft. McArthur, California to Rome, Italy

    From Ft. McArthur, California to Rome, Italy

    S01 E01
    10:26

    Ivan J. Houston joins the Army in 1944, and from the moment of his arrival at Ft. MacArthur, San Pedro, California he is Segregated into the Negro (or Colored) sections of the U.S. Army. On his way East for training and deployment overseas, he increasingly encounters the overt Racism of America prevalent during that time...a "WHITE ONLY" drinking fountain, which was much newer, cleaner, and taller than the "COLORED" drinking fountain.