Colonel Bates was the white commander of the first black tank battalion to fight in World War II.  As part of General George Patton’s Third Army, the battalion fought for 183 consecutive days without relief.  Colonel Bates refused a promotion to stay with his men, he was so moved by their bravery. 

But the real story of Paul Bates happened far from the battlefield at a segregated boot camp in Texas.  At Fort Hood, a young black officer was charged with insubordination after refusing to move to the back of a transport bus.  Colonel Bates refused to court martial the young soldier for his actions.  Instead, the man was acquitted, and went on to leave the army for professional baseball.  His name was Jackie Robinson.