Group Of Black Korean War Veterans Receive Commendations In Boston

BOSTON (CBS) - A group of Korean War veterans was honored in South Boston Saturday.

The Korean War's sixtieth-anniversary committee commemorated the service of the last all African-American military guard unit.

WBZ-TV's Paul Burton reports.

The 272nd Field Artillery Battalion of Massachusetts, fondly remembered as "The Deuce," received commendations from Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Their service came at a time of racial inequality in America.  Fifteen African-Americans from 'The Deuce' were honored today.

"They put their lives on the line for their country at a time in American history when a black man couldn't sit down at a decent restaurant and order a hamburger," Said Korean War Committee Director, Col. David Clark. "America owes an un-repayable debt to all of its African-American veterans."

In all, more than 100,000 African-Americans served during the Korean War.