Jessee Clipper

Publicity photo taken in 1913 of Jesse W. Clipper who never made it home from the war and is remembered as the first black from Buffalo who sacrificed his life in the 1st World War. His death occurred on Feb. 21, 1919, some three months after the war ended on Nov. 11, 1918. His death certificate says he died from pleurisy and pneumonia, and it is believed that was caused by him being gassed by the Germans,

He had a vaudeville act along with his sister, Della Fox Clipper. They were known as the Two Clippers. This young man is also recognized as being a hero of WWI, and the first African American to be killed in that war.

Not much is known about the background of this WWI hero, however Jesse Clipper became a local Buffalo, New York legend as the first African American from the region to die in the war. Clipper worked at the American Palace laundry before he was drafted into the army. According to his contemporaries, he was a pleasant young man and a good worker. Before service to his country, Jesse Clipper served as Vice-President of Colored Musicians Local No. 533 in 1917. A Buffalo News article, published on May 2, 1968 notes that "Pvt. Jesse Clipper of the 317th Engineers, was wounded at the front in France. He was hospitalized several weeks. When the wounds healed, he returned to his outfit. Soon afterwards he was gassed. After another long stay in the hospital, he received orders to return to the United States. But before he could be brought home, he landed in the hospital again. There he died on February 21, 1919." Clipper was buried in Oise-Aisne. Which is an American cemetery and memorial located in northern France.

The Jesse Clipper American Legion Post 430 was founded by fifteen African American WWI veterans on September 16, 1919. The first Commander was Mosby B. McAden. The group petitioned the Buffalo Common Council to establish a monument in honor of Clipper and all Black soldiers. The petition to the Common Council from Jesse Clipper Post 430, American Legion stated: "Be it resolved: that we the members of Jesse Clipper Post 430, American Legion, having the progress, civic betterment and beautification of the City of Buffalo uppermost in our hearts, and being desirous of paying further tribute to that Negro soldier for whom our post has been named, and being anxious to honor all of our fellow men and women who have so valiantly served our country during periods of major strife, namely, War of Revolution, War of 1812, Spanish-American War and World War, do humbly petition the Common Council of the City of Buffalo for permission to erect a memorial bearing suitable inscription, in Jesse Clipper Square." The group dedicated the Jesse Clipper Square at Michigan and William Streets on May 30, 1935. A monument was erected in honor of Jesse Clipper and all the war heroes of WWI as a result of the advocacy and fundraising of members of the Jesse Clipper Post. Since the initial dedication of the monument the dates of other wars, in which African Americans fought have been added.

The inscription on the front of the memorial reads: "In memory of the valiant service of negroes in all wars of these United States of America to the glory of God - WWII, Korea, Vietnam." The back of the memorial is engraved with flowers strung on ribbons and trimmed with bows. The inscription reads: "1776, 1812, 1861, 1898, 1917, 1941, 1950, 1966."

Source: Uncrowned Community Builders