the war fighting for americans' liberty, fighting for freedom and realizing when you got back, you still didn't have that same liberty and same freedom that white americans had, were you disappointed, were you surprised or did you expect that? >> well, no, i wasn't disappointed because i grew up under those conditions. >> reporter: his wife of 45 years says her husband's optimism has served him well. >> and i think it's a great honor that he sacrificed to make this world a better place for every one of us. >> the author of this book of the black soldiers of the 320th says there were 621 troops in the battalion and that henry is the last surviving member. after being modestly quiet about his world war ii experiences for decades, henley has now received accolades and medals, including the prestigious french legion of