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This is Alpha Chapter #27 - 8/16/17
Profiles of who we are:
![]() The Triumph & Tragedy of The story of the Dial starts with the Lamp that conceived the idea, Bro. Leroy Clay. However, the story of Bro. Clay is as intriguing as the Dial itself. The Early Years
1929 proved to be a momentous year for Clay. On February 1, 1929, the idea he conceived for a sundial honoring Benjamin Banneker was realized when it was unveiled and presented to the University in a ceremony by the Lampados Club who 100% financed the gift. Also, in the June 1929 issue of the Oracle, he co-authored the Alpha Chapter Lampados Notes. In May 1929, Clay was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Clay’s year ended with him fighting bigotry and racism head on. On Monday morning, December 9, 1929, Clay and classmate James Ramsey were driving his 1923 Ford roadster to campus when, as the approached the gate at 6th Street and Howard Place, a car with two white men drove by shouting “get out the way you damn niggers!” Both Clay and Ramsey yelled back responding to the racist rhetoric when the car stopped, and the two white men got out of their car. An altercation ensued where Ramsey was knock down by one of the white men. As other students became to congregate, one of the white men pulled out a gun and identified himself as a plain clothes police officer showing his Virginia badge. The two white men arrested Clay and Ramsey. After posting a $200 bond (about $2,900 in 2017 dollars), HU officials instructed Clay to plead guilty otherwise risk losing his position as Ass’t Manager of the Football team. Knowing they did nothing wrong, Clay rejected their instructions and pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct and assault (even though none of the white men were touched). On Saturday, December 14, 1929, the trial took place where seven witnesses including one HU professor testified for the defense. After hearing the testimony of the witnesses, the Judge dismissed all charges citing that “he had never tried a case in which he was more convinced of the truthfulness of witnesses.” Clay graduated Howard in 1931. During his collegiate career, he served in the ROTC and was commissioned 2nd LT in the Reserve, was senior class vice president and President of the Sabers (ROTC Officer Club) his senior year. Fraternally, he was selected to represented Alpha Chapter at the 19th Grand Conclave in Detroit in 1931, Chapter Editor to the Oracle and secretary of the Interfraternity Council. 1931-41 After graduating from Howard, Clay became a journalist for the Baltimore Afro American, a social worker and served as publicity agent for Howard University's Athletic Department. He married Ms. Monterey Kenny in June 1940 which union bore a child, JoAnn, in 1945. He also remained fraternally active with Pi Omega in Baltimore. During this time he remained active in the Maryland National Guard where he was promoted to 1st lieutenant and platoon commander. Clay was further promoted to Captain by the Governor of Maryland on December 22, 1940, the youngest Captain in the Maryland National Guard including white companies. On March 17, 1941, Captain Clay’s National Guard Company was called into federal service and active duty at Fort Dix, NJ. The company was part of the 377th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Division. Captain Clay became company commander of 17 officers and 51 enlisted men responsible for the administration and supply services for the 1,500 men of the 377th. World War II & the Clinquale Canal Disaster
It’s well documented the racism that existed in the armed forces during WWII. No more was this prevalent than in the 92nd Division, the Buffalo Soldiers. This historic division was formed in WWI and was made up, almost exclusively, of African-American troops. During WWII, this Division was led by Major General Edward J. Almond, a white southerner. Almond had disdain for Blacks in the military quoting:
In the Fall of 1944, the 92nd Division was sent to Italy to fight against the Germans in the Italian Campaign. In early February 1945, the Division was sent to take the town of Massa from the Germans. To achieve that goal required crossing the Cinquale Canal, a tactical disadvantage since mountains and the Canal surrounded the town. The crossing of the Canal was easy for infantryman initially but proved to be difficult for tanks due to the ebb and flow of the tide. As the Germans held the high ground, they were easily able to pick off the tanks struggling to cross the Canal. With no tank support or reserves and cross back the Canal difficult due to the tide, it was a rout by the Germans. The 92nd Division suffered its greatest loss of the War in this battle. That’s the backdrop to what happened to Bro. Leroy Armond Clay on February 9, 1945.
Clay re-enlisted and remained in the Army rising this time to the rank of 1st Sargent before being honorably discharge in 1950. Post-War After the Army, the only job Clay could get was at the Post Office selling stamps. The Post Office offered no advancement for African-Americans even though he had more education than his white superiors. He tried to establish his own electrical business but was hampered by the electrical union that denied Blacks. Clay remained active and financial with the Fraternity throughout his post-undergraduate years with Pi Omega Chapter serving on the 43rd Conclave Committee in 1956. His wife was also a Quette for the Chapter. Tragically, on the evening of March 12, 1964, Clay was assaulted and robbed by two Black youths near his home on Carey Street in Baltimore. A week later, on March 19, he died of his wounds. Postscript Bro. Leroy Armond Clay’s life exemplifies the triumphs and tragedies faced by many African-Americans during the time of overt, legal segregation and bigotry in our country. Bro. Clay’s legacy is one of heroism and perseverance. His unsung contribution makes him a shining example of the qualities each Omega man should possess. |