Unjust Military Justice
Despicable military documents exposing racial discrimination
by
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As I entered the room where my Non-Judicial Punishment trial was being held, I knew beyond a shadow of doubt that I had a snowball’s chance in hell of prevailing. Facing four charges including Disrespect for an Officer, Failure to Obey a Lawful Order, Willfully Disobeying a Lawful Order of Petty Officers, and informing others in the Department I was being discriminated against because of my race, I knew my status would be completely changed coming out of this proceeding. As a matter of fact, this trial should never have been undertaken in the first place, because the whole truth was in my military records. Let’s be real, I was a low-grade “child” with only a GED (high school education) at the time, facing a judge and jury of all white individuals. It would not take me long to realize the outcome of this trial was predictable. I remember my heart beating like a drum, and it felt as though I was about to pass out! Also, I remember my mind going blank at one point, as I struggled to grapple with what was happening! As The Hearing Officer so methodically and carefully presented the case against me, I remember interrupting him numerous times. I attempted to explain that all he had to do was examine my records (which he undoubtedly had already done), and the truth would immediately be known. The really ironic part of this trial was that the Hearing Officer was constantly fingering through documents, which no doubt were my military records. Over my continued insistence that this was not a fair trial, I was convicted on all four counts. Finally asked by the Hearing Officer if I had any additional statements, I again told him that all of the truth was in my Personnel records and that this trial had been convened on a false premise. At trial's end, I was warned if I did not accept the announced punishment for my convictions, I could face a Court Martial, with possible imprisonment and a Bad Conduct Discharge.
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About the Book
This book is about a white Naval Officer who, figuratively speaking, placed his foot on the neck of a black sailor until that sailor screamed for help. But for Ernie Davis Jr., no help ever came. Even though the primary wrongdoer swore under oath at the author’s military trial that he had committed no acts of racial bias, documents that the same officer prepared show that he is an absolute liar. The author’s military records shine a bright spotlight on a plot conceived and successfully initiated by a white naval officer who lied incessantly about Mr. Davis’ conduct and military background, falsified personnel records, and triggered a military trial resulting in the author’s “undesirable” discharge from the military. Everything that happened to the author while in the Navy was based on monumental lies by one individual as well as a failure in the Navy system of justice.
About the Author
Ernie Davis Jr. grew up as one of seven children of an impoverished, black Louisiana family. He joined the military to help his family and escape poverty. He was trying to do what Tyler Perry communicated to Anderson Cooper when he said his mother admonished him to “find a way.” The author’s understanding of what Tyler’s mother meant was to find a way to succeed in spite of all of the obstacles he would face along the way as a black man.