Pvt. William Kirlew was an immigrant from Jamaica who served in the Army during both World War I and World War II. He arrived in America just two years before the outbreak of World War I in Europe. When the United States joined the war in 1917, Kirlew showed his eagerness to serve. Even though he was not yet an American citizen and he was too young to register for the draft, he did anyway.
William Kirlew’s Draft Registration Card. He registered his birth year to make him two years older than he actually was to meet the age requirement.
Thousands of African-Americans registered for the draft following the United States’ entrance to World War I. Many of them believed that their service in the military would be a driving force in the advancement of their political and civil rights. Though Kirlew did not serve overseas, he and other African-Americans felt empowered by their wartime experiences nonetheless. A new era of African-American history emerged following the war’s conclusion.
Kirlew discharged from the Army and moved to Harlem, New York where he witnessed the Harlem Renaissance. During this time, many African-American artists created new images and ideas through music, literature, and art to redefine what it meant to be an African-American. Kirlew remained in Harlem and gained his American citizenship in May 1933. During World War II, Kirlew re-enlisted in the Army for a brief time at the age of 44.
William Kirlew’s grave marker located at Florida National Cemetery
On July 3, 1991 Kirlew passed away at the age of 92. He is buried at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. In partnership with the Veterans Legacy Program, students and faculty at University of Central Florida conducted research on over 100 Veterans buried at Florida National Cemetery, including Kirlew. Their biographies are now shared with the public, and provide a unique perspective on American history.
This partnership is part of the larger initiative to modernize the memorialization of Veterans. The Veterans Legacy Program launched in May 2016 to engage students, teachers, and the public with stories of Veterans buried at national cemeteries. For more information on the Veterans Legacy Program, please visit https://www.cem.va.gov/legacy/
In honor of Black History Month, please join us in recognizing the Veterans Legacy of William Kirlew, and read his full biography here:
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Let’s see what is my legacy from the Vietnam War? I know cancer, asthma and bleeding problems I have caused by my exposure to Agent Orange and my government lying about its use for forty years and then stalling then denying and finally waiting for a hearing which i’m sure the lazy a H s at the VA could care less and hope i die first. Thanks for your service!