Our February 24, 2024 Meeting speaker will be Mr. Erwin Polk whose presentation is entitled "African American Involvement in the U.S. Military During World War II & The Military Units They Served With". This presentation is a look at some of the military units in which African Americans served. Also included is information about some of the family & neighbors that provided stories of their military exploits during World War II.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, educated in Philadelphia graduating from Germantown High School (1969). In 1974 he earned a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from Morgan State College (now University).

On July 3, 1993 Erwin was interviewed by Bryant Gumbel on the “Today Show” for his knowledge of his maternal ancestors of Gouldtown, Cumberland County, New Jersey that fought in the American Revolution. He then began reviewing his paternal family and ancestors from Wicomico and Somerset Counties, Maryland. Currently he is researching his ancestors from the Caribbean Islands of Trinidad, Grenada, and the Leeward Islands. He was also interviewed several times by the Wilmington News Journal.

Erwin serves as V.P. of Genealogy for the Delaware Chapter of the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society Inc. Erwin is a member of the Thomas Elzey Polk, Sr. chapter of the 9th & 10th Horse Cavalry Association of Buffalo Soldiers, which is named after Erwin’s great grandfather.