An African American Battalion Commander in Vietnam Battalion Commander in Vietnam: An Early African-American Leader in the Integrated Army
Clifford Worthy Jr.
Please watch our latest interview, with COL (R) Cliff Worthy '53. COL Worthy graduated as one of only three African-American cadets in the Class of ‘53; in fact the three of them spent almost all four years as roommates. COL Worthy served for a total of 23 years on active duty. His career included a tour as an Artillery battalion commander in Vietnam during 1968-1969, and service as a military assistant to the Undersecretary of the Army from 1971 to 1973. He retired from active duty in 1976 and went on to another fulfilling career with General Motors, primarily in the Detroit area. Listen as he recounts his experiences during the early years of integration in the Army, the challenges of a combat battalion commander in Vietnam, and the similarities and differences between the military and the auto industry. COL Worthy graduated as one of only three African-American cadets in the Class of ‘53; in fact the three of them spent almost all four years as roommates. COL Worthy went on to a distinguished career as an Artilleryman, serving in Vietnam in 1968-69 where he commanded a battalion. He retired from the Army in 1976 and went on to work in the auto industry in the Detroit area, where he still resides today.
Interviewer:Rick Black
Branch:Field Artillery
Unit:1st Battalion, 83rd Artillery Regiment
Institution:USMA
Graduation Year:1953 (Cullum #19392)
Service Start:1953
Service End:1976
