Spotsylvania World War II Veteran to be Honored at V-J Anniversary Event Saturday
Richard Toye was drafted into the Navy at age 18. His recollections of service as a Black service member reflect the complicated legacy of the war.
By Adele Uphaus
MANAGING EDITOR AND CORRESPONDENT
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Richard Toye was drafted into World War II at age 18. He was assigned to the Navy, though he’d requested the Marines, because of their “sharp uniforms,” he told an interviewer this week.
He served his tour of duty—which included logistics support at Okinawa and two other companies in the Pacific—“[taking] care” of sailors arriving on supply ships.
“That's the way the service is: follow the order,” Toye said.
What he didn’t think about then, but thinks about a lot now, is the fact that he, like many Black service members, never saw combat in the war.
“World War II was fought by white people,” Toye said. “I look at war movies today… [and] I cry sometimes … an old man shedding a tear to see those white kids and before they can get off the boat, they’re dead. That’s damn shame.”
Still he questions, “Why weren’t we in combat? Simply because of discrimination. I never thought about this until I was old.”
Toye’s feelings about his war experience are complicated, but they’re part of the legacy of World War II. That legacy will be honored in all its complexity this weekend at “Victory and Valor,” Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc.’s celebration of the 80th anniversary of V-J Day, the day Japan surrendered to the United States and ended the war.
There will be a recognition of Toye as the guest of honor at 10 a.m. on Saturday, at the Dorothy Hart Community Center, which was built in 1942 as the city’s first USO building.
The recognition will be followed by a free Open House, lasting until 1 p.m., and including performances by the Enduring Freedom Honor Team; a 10:30 a.m. performance of a 1940s radio show by Stage Door Productions; homefront and military history displays; representatives from the USO, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Leashes of Valor; Victory Garden demonstrations by Karen for Nature; children’s activities; and a blood drive.
Find more information, as well as tickets to Friday night’s 1940s-themed dance at the Dorothy Hart Center, at HFFI’s website.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 15, to include more details about Toye’s wartime service.
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