Bearing Witness: A Black Soldier at Buchenwald
Aug 27, 2026 · 20m
Summary
This episode highlights William A. Scott III, an African American photographer who served in the segregated US Army during World War II. Assigned to the 183rd Engineer Combat Battalion, Scott documented the liberation of Buchenwald, where his images provided crucial evidence of Nazi atrocities. After the war, he championed civil rights through the Double V campaign, earning recognition for his contributions to both military history and social equality.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: US Mint Coins and Home Depot
Podcast promos and introduction of Ronna Simmons
Bill Scott's childhood and father's influence
Drafting, segregation, and assignment to engineer unit
Bill's role as photographer in Patton's army
Sponsors and podcast network promotions
Preparation for liberating Buchenwald concentration camp
Witnessing the horrors and photographing the camp
Post-war activism and the Double V campaign
Conclusion and final sponsor advertisements
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