Blinco Pius Vincent 1893

Pius Vincent Blinco [10558]

1893-1958

Father Nm: Rowan Pius Blincoe [9579] born 15.2.1859 died 5.6.1928

Mother Nm: Mary Lizzie Bell [9580]

Marriage Dt:

K comments:

Spouse comments: Cordia Minor 1902-1959

(Research): Ancestry

Oldest Known Ancestor:

Children: Pauline ,

Birth

26.3.1893 New Hope, Kentucky

Before the War

1939 Census

WW2

Blinco Pius V, Private, 207022, 7th Development Coy., 159th Depot Brigade, US Army

Synopsis

Pius Blinco was one of the few black Blinco’s to be called up from the draft and while he and all black Americans were very much second class citizens at the time he served his country. However, he was placed into a segregated company and he and all black Americans who served faced despite their service great hostility after the war. Wikipedia article here recommended reading about this shameful time in history.

1917

5 June. Pius living in Cleveland Ohio, is drafted in a general draft for all US citizens.
Pius appears in the Ohio State archives and his military service is recorded in abbreviated form

1918

19 April. Pius military records show he was with the 159th Depot Brigade at Camp Zachary Taylor in Louisville Kentucky. We don’t know the company he joined in the 159th but almost certainly was a segregated ‘Colored’ company within the 159th Depot Brigade. This was the 7th Development Company. Note A company typically has 100 to 200 soldiers, and a battalion is a combat unit of 500 to 800 soldiers. Three to five battalions, approximately 1,500 to 4,000 soldiers, comprise a brigade.
An assembly during 1918 at Camp Zachary Taylor
The 159th Depot Brigade was a receiving and training unit of the Army which was based at Camp Zachary. In Pius 8 months of service, it appears this was the only posting he had. The Camp clearly had mixed races in attendance as evidenced by this photo from the archives of the Camp.
A black American celebration or entertainment at the Knights of Columbus Building
There is evidence that Pius may have been part of an Army band at the Camp. In the 1930 census, Pius is recorded as a Band Musician living in Detroit
WWI Military Band. Image courtesy of James Lamb

Band entertaining Colored troops at Camp Taylor Pius could well be in this photo as a band member
20 December honourable discharge.

After the War

1930 Census

Pius Blinko 36 yrs born Kentucky a ‘Roomer’ at Watson St. Detroit, Michigan, Band Musician
Mary Blinko 37 yrs born Georgia wife? a Roomer at the same address

1942 Draft

Pius age 51 is drafted but obviously not suitable for service missing finger left hand and age. Living back in Louisville but give Emma Bulkes as NOK, not Cordie.

Death 1958

Died 26.12.1958 Montgomery. Pius granted a Military headstone as was his wife Cordia, both buried at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery Louisville Kentucky.