New Pittsburgh Courier from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 7

1 THE NEW COURIER DEC 4, 1971 Black deserter spends seven years in 'hell' Bv oriFLI) DI KES holm, Swe Part II When Frllon de from Fort Ccv don, seven yean ago, his frantic search for a afe haven" took him to Mexico, Canada, Denmark, Switzerland, Vienna, Yugoslavia, and finally to Sweden. After running from country to country, the 29 year old cx GI says he is anxious to get back home to Philadelphia. "Life on the ays Phil, "is something wrse than hell!" Word spread around, shortly after I arrived ia Sweden, that I was interested in talk in? with Black American deserters. Phil first contacted me by telephone. We arranged to meet in my hotel room.

I opened the door to a neatly dressed young man wearing a tweed suit, vest and tie. The bea'rded fa.e reflected an inten.se, cautious mood. It was clear after a brief exchange that Phil wouldn't open up without making sure his man could be trusted. He came back the next night. This time, the sus picion had disappeared and Phil seemed anxious to tell his story.

"I deserted the American Movie By SHARON SCOTT CHICAGO "The Bus Is Coming." is a film story about the events surrounding the death of a politically prominent black school board official: Joe Mitchell. According to the lo.al black militant organization, the "Black Fist," a rally must be held, and the iown must pay it's dues. The film opens with a young brother and sister on their way to the Black Fist Breakfast Program. Here we see a sister and a middle aged white woman feeding some rather healthy looking black youngsters. The chairman of die organization, Michael, comes into the dining area and leads the children in a sort of recital.

One line goes: "What did Joe Mitchell do?" The children reply, "he made the white man behave." Quite interesting, I would 6ay. We are introduced to Billy Mitchell; the brother of the murdered black man. He has just returned to the United States from Vietnam. He seems a bit removed from the blatk militant "scene," as it is portrayed here, but is intent finding out who killed his brother. He understands the plight of the black militants, but he ref uis to join them in their efforts to upset the town, for i way of doing things is not as theirs.

We are introduced to the police force of Center City, who are undoubtedly behind the murder mystery, and so, the story moves on. The plot at hand is not bad; meaning to say, that it could have developed into something, sane. It could have developed into thing that might have unveiled the truth to the generally misinformed, misguided American Public; both black and white, eco 7 memorial for Miller GREAT LAKES, ILL. The late Petty Officer Dorie Miller will be honored as the Navy's first black hero of World War II on Dec. 7, when an architect award winning Bachelor Enlisted Quarters at the Great Lakes Naval Base will be dedicated in his memory.

Dec. 7 marks the 30th anniversary of the day that Miller, then a Petty Officer Third Class, performed heroically aboard the battleship USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor and earned the Navy Cross, the Navy's highest award for heroism. The Bachelor Enlisted Quarters complex to be dedicated is the largest enlisted housing facility on the navy base. The college dormitory like quarters is iiome to nearly 2,000 enlisted men. all students and staff at the Service School Command.

The l). he! Building Award for the facility was presented at the 17ih Annual Awards Program of the Chicaao Chapter, American InsUute of Archi Army in 1964, because my off.cers put so much pre cure on me. I had a helluva time. I got a lot of bad treatment. I went though discrimination and some very hard days.

1 had my training in the South. "I am black and I don't feel that I should go to another country and kill colored people who haven't done anything to me. And I don't know what the bell the war ia all about in the first place. "I resented the whole damn thing. So, I thought I should not be a part of the machine.

After I tried to explain how I felt, without success, I decided this was not the thing for me. And so. I left Ft. Gordon, aud went to Mexico. I decided against staying there because there wasn't anything to do not even for the natives." Felton returned to the States and "went lie confided: "I had a very nice girl who came from a good family in Philadelphia.

I talked her into going to Canada with me." Canada was disappointing. On their first day, the Canadian officials, Felton alleged, yanked them off the train for questioning. "I guess it was because there were so many deserters running across the border at that time. We went into Montreal and all we could see were deserters everywhere," he recalled. The couple moved on to Europe.

They were headed for Switzerland but a stop in Denmark changed their plaas. "It was so fascinating nightlife and all, we decided to stay there for a while." The enchantment ended when the money ran out. "I had to go into criminal activity because I didn't have any money. The easiest thing was dealing in prostitution. As a result of that, I guess I could say my girl lost her mind.

The last time I saw her, she was running out of the hotel room, down the hall, half naked. I understand she is back in Philadelphia with her family, but I don't think she is doing well at all. "I stayed there in Denmark and did my thing with the prostitutes old ones young ones. I became one of the biggest dealers in prostitution in Copenhagen. But I was forced into it.

It wasn't something that I anted to do. I had no other way to live. I had Danish girls working for me. Prostitution is legal in Denmark. "Years went by and I married.

My wife, who is Danish, was a prostitute also. After a while I left her because she did not make the money I needed. I had thought of going back to her, but I was messing around with another girl, whom I also decided to leave. This girl thought it was wrong for me to leave t.er after I had made her concerning the nature of police relations in the black community. It could have been a documentary bringing to light the numerous breakfast programs started by young black people throughout this country; in not only community situations, but on college campuses.

It could have dealt with; with some artistic capability, the plight of the b'ack militant in the United States. The "Battle of Algiers," was sue cessful; it has been shown in many parts of the world, and dealt honestly with a controversial subject. Why not begin to take seriously, the lives of black people? The fi'm is plagued with insensitive commentary and perspective of the young black American's pursuit for a more sensible world. Continuing to ridicule young black militants, who in their have indeed made ridiculous errors and sightless maneuver ings, but have in no way made it extremely difficult for people to become properly educated, properly fed, clothed ar.d shelter ed, or brought as much suffering and misery to the black peoples of the world as the standing government and institutions of the United States. Already, I hear voices saying: "I do not go to the movies to be instructed, but to be entertained." If there was such a thing as a story told to say nothing; I ican't imagine exactly what form it would take.

But, you can be sure, it has not come in the guise of the American film. You express yourself when you cover your face in dismay, or sneer at a bum sleeping under a park bench. When these images are projected on the screen, you involve others. You are influencing others, because, while you tects, and the Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry. The facility was selected as one of 21 outstanding new buildings in the Chicago area.

One of Miller's close Navy friends durng those early days of World War II, Herbert G. Odom, retired after 26 years of service and who is currently employed as a training instructor in the curriculum evaluation and improvement branch, Electronics Technician School, Service Schools Command, Great Lakes, will be the main speaker. Mrs. Henrietta Miller, the Navy man's mother, will journey from Waco, Texas to be on hand for the dedication. A brother, James, also will attend.

While Japanese planes were bombing Pearl Harbor. Miller assisted in moving his mortally wounded commanding officer to a sheltered spoi aboard battleship, and then proceeded to man a machine gun uuiil ordered a leave the ship's bridge. The late Fleet Admiral (then admir i 6l OFIELD DUKES a prostitute. "The life that I was living was painful and hard. I would wake up at night, sweating and the bed would be wet.

I would talk in my sleep and this girl overheard me say I was a deserter. "I had never told anybody that because this was my personal secret. I did not even tell my wife. "This girl had all sorts of perverse customers, you see, who wanted special kinds of things in sex. She had this one guy who beat her.

She had many marks on her body. This guy would beat her with a wet towel or with his hands. After the next time she met him, she told the police I had beaten her show them why you feel disgust, pride, or excitement, they are becoming ia volved with your story. There is no such thing as saying nothing at all. It is not fair to anyone to present a lopsided story; people are looking for a better way to go on with life.

The black woman's experience has been more than any bedroom scene' in white America could ever include. We've been there, but have had many other experiences also, and it is the understanding of this entire experience that allows it all to make some sense. The black militants experience ias been more than that of one sided shoot outs. They have fed children, protected black women coming from business districts to home at night, they have printed newspapers, established small publishing companies, schools, farm 6, child care centers, canneries, and have in many ways helped other young black people through institutions of higher learning. Black audiences, and everyone else who views these upcoming black films are being taken in.

There are young black people scattered in all these films with talent; not only in acting, but in film technology, that could revolutionize every existing measure of the American Film Industry. Why not put more thought into what you're doing, be it producing, directing, writing, or viewing? If the black dollar is so important to obtain, why not add a little style to your works to earn it? And, if you, the black film viewer, are so vital to the sustenance of the American Film Industry and her cohorts, why not be a bit more demanding? al) Chester W. Nimitz personally presented the Navy Cross to Petty Officer Miller in ceremonies aboard the USS Enterprise in May, 1942. In 1947, the Dorie Miller Foundation was established to perpetuate the Navy man's name. Since it was organized 28 years ago by the Rev.

Elmer L. Fowler, now pastor of the Third Baptist church of Chicago, the award is presented on an annual basis to the individual who seeks better understanding between the races. After Pearl Harbor, Miller was assigned to the cruiser USS Indianapolis, and after 17 months duty in that cruiser returned to the United States. A symbol of the courage and capability of blak Navymen. Miller toured Naval installations in the While visiting at Great Lakes during that tour he addressed the first graduation class of the service school command elements of blacks established here in 1943.

CHDGil(of and she told them I was a deserter. "Denmark is in NATO and all of the NATO countries are not supposed to take deserters. I was in bad trouble. The police came and kicked the door down about 3 a.m. They had machine guns and dogs.

I went to Jail for fix month My wife still loved me and tried to help. She got a political lawyer who arranged to have me sent to Yugoslavia. "I had lived in about 10 European counties trying to settle down; trying to find the right place. I decided oslavia was not for me. I stayed in Vienna then went to Switzerland.

My money ran out and I went back to Denmark. I was caught and deported to the States." After going "underground" in the States, working for some people, Phil was on his way back to Sweden in a matter of weeks. He was arrested in Sweden because authorities knew he had been deported from Denmark. "I have been out of jail for a year and a half. For a while I went to school to learn Swedish," Phil said, "I am tired of running and throwing my life away.

I don't have any more tricks. 'it has been seven years of more than hell. I am now trying to live the right way. But it's hard. The life NEW YORK Political activists, comedian Dick Gregory and actress Jane Fonda, flank Cora Weiss, producer of benefit gala to aid U.

S. Servicemen's Fund (USSF), during intermission of a performance at Lincoln Center's Philharmonic Hall here. The gala featured the critically acclaimed Dr. Hale COLUMBUS, 0., A black administrator at Ohio Stale university is trying to close the gap between rhetoric and reality. Since Dr.

Frank W. Hale Jr. is sumed the post of associate dean of Ohio State's Graduate School in June, he has been 'concentrating on planning and carrying out a recruitment program fcr black graduate students. "Ohio State has made statements supporting the concept of equal educational opportunity, but few black students have applied to the Graduate School because the students feel ttia. past discrimination by white institutions would continue," Dr.

Hale said. The students also feared they would be socially isolated, that the un'versity'i goals and objectives would ntt agree with theirs, and all of these tilings would detract from the desire 'or or usefulness of a graduate degree, he said. Dr. Hale said the real proof of commitment to equal opportunity is to ba it up with action. "There has never been a major effort to go out and make the university attractive to black students," he said.

He is now visiting a number of predominantly black colleges, competing with recruiters from other universities to attract top scholars and "as many as poss'We." Dr. Hale, who was president Oakwood college, Hunts ville, before coming to Ohio State. "What we are doin? is more imoortant than saying "admission is We are democratizing education. The university should reflect the various races and culture in the population. I lived before nothing.

You only lose st the end. It destroys a person. My wife once said to me, which I will never forget said, i never read a story about a mao so bad as you are. You're the wt)rst man I've ever heard about. They don't make story books about people like '1 can understand what she was saying, because I wasn't a man.

I was a last. I wasn't real anymore. That perverse life was hell. "If I had to do it over again? No, I wouldn't do it. I don't have to think about it.

I know. I know I wouldn't do it again, because I can't blame it all on being young and being influenced by others. Okay, I thought I was doing right. It seemed a little heroic adventurous. the time.

But I wouldn't do it over again, if I have to through ail the hell that I have gone through. It's not worth it. I don't care who disagrees with me about that Black Panthers or all these organizations against the war in Vietnam. I wouldn't do it again. I wouldn't!" The past is behind him, and Phil is trying to make a go as a bartender' helper in a restaurant.

He makes 600 kroners a week "After taxes, I take tome about 450 kroners "The Swedes accept you, but they put you out there and say, 'now go and make it for yourself. I understal that in a way. I should not just want to try to put my hands in their pockets. I should try to do something for myself. But it is hard.

It is really hard from a different country; a different environment. It is bard to get adjusted to the way of life here." "I want to go back home, partly, because I must think about my future. And the way I look at things, I can make out better for myself. If I go back home, I'll have a chance to go back to school, I am only 29. I went to Temple University before the Army pulled me in.

"I have been thinking about taking my wife to America. She's Danish. I haven't seen her in six months. When I think about all the hell I've been through, it's a miracle that I have been able to keep my sanity. "I know other deserters who have Just cracked.

There are about 500 of them, mostly white, in Sweden. I know one guy, he and his wife flipped at the same time simultaneously. They had gone through the same pressures both are black. "I have another friend who I saw in Stockholm a week ago. He was stand 43 1JL FTA Show which has played to 15,000 GIs in Array towns over the last eight months after being banned from bases by military brass.

The FTA Show's Christmas tour of Southeast Asia, including Hawaii, the Philippine Republic, Okinawa and Japan gets underway very shortly. (UPI) 'doing his thing' "Approximately 20 to 23 percent of the population of Ohio is black, but only about three percent of the graduate students are black," he said. The 43 yearold administrator said a "long range program of commitment is needed. I have seen too many programs dn which universities over a two or three year period engaged in window dressing bringing in special programs, a few black facu'ty, some students to sort of calm things down after black students complained about the lack of opportunity." Dean Hale, who received his Ph. D.

degree in speech and political science from Ohio State in 1955. has worked with other university departments to plan a special fellowship program for minority groups, primarily blacks. The program is in addition to the regular fellowship program which receives applications first. Altogether, about 200 fellow may be awarded, and students applying to any of the 80 departments offering a Ph. D.

are eligible. "We are trying to prepare black young people to go into the black community and manage their own affairs," he said. "They need knowledge of the basic sciences, business skills, economics, and all the ramifications of society so thev will know how to be best equipped to negotiate the system. In order to do this, there is going to have to be iJ' Invo'vement of black tu throughout (he Ohio ate Un'vcr ff re'cire One feature of the special fellowship is the opportunity to study for a year in order to prepare for a disci ing in the middle of the fhvr, scratching his head. and he did not know why he was scratching his head I said.

What's wrong with you, man'. He said, Tve "I am not that weak to Just come from the doctor who gave me some pills because it's so nerve racking that I can't take it ny more'. "Many of the deserters smoke hash 'and white. I look at the white deserters walking around here and they look like skeletons, more or less. try narcotics.

Never, if I have a problem I drink. I am not a alcohobc." Phil Felton paused pulled out a handkerchief and nervously wiped sweat from his brow. "I think 1 belong home. I don't think I belong here in Sweden. I want to go back to the States.

That's my icountry. That's 1 my home." His mother, father 'and brothers still live in Philadelphia, but Phil knows JJ.at if he goes back he will be arrested. Long after Phil Felton had finished his story, I stared out my window overlooking the darkened Stockholm harbor wondered. How many Phil Feltons are there around the world, living in abysmal pits of hell? How will all of this end the war the tragedy the wastefulness of young Americans lives? pline different than the student's undergraduate field. Then, the program offers a $2,00 'Stipend for the first academic year, $2,400 for the second and third years, involving a teaching or research assist antship, and $3,600 for the fourth year, providing a dissertation fellowship for 12 months.

Also, university fees amounting to $650 a quarter for an out of state graduate student are waived. Support during summer quarters is available as well. The university and its departments are providing funds for the program, Dr. Hale said. Besides requiting efforts at other colleges and universities, he is working closely with staff members of the Office of Minority Affairs at Ohio Slate to recruit black students at the university.

My office is open aay t.aie to b.a'ck students who are interested in graduate education," he said. Dr. Hale has held several administrative and teaching positions in colleges. At Oakwood college from 1952 59, he taught English and Speech, was director of public relations, headed the speech department, and was an assistant to the president. He was a professor of English and speo and chairman of the Ejagiiah deparment Centra! un'versitv.

Wilberforre. from 1959 66, and was nr.Tuv pres.ck:i. of k.vcd. He received a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of.