Eddie May was born on July 17, 1918, in Macon, Mississippi. His family moved to Beloit shortly after his birth and he continued to live in Beloit until his induction into the U.S. Army. Eddie graduated from Beloit High School in 1938 and from Beloit College in 1942.

Eddie grew up in Beloit at a time when segregation was the norm in the United States. Blacks couldn’t get served in Beloit restaurants and since most doctors and dentists wouldn’t treat blacks, it was necessary for them to travel to Rockford for medical and dental services. The schools were virtually the only unsegregated part of the city.

Eddie was an outstanding athlete and student leader at Beloit High School. He was inducted into the Beloit Sports Hall of Fame at Lincoln Center as an initial inductee. The inscription on his plaque reads in part: “A multi-talented athlete, Eddie distinguished himself as a break-away halfback on the undefeated 1936 Beloit Memorial football team, as a forward on the 1937 state champion high school team and starred in the state high school track meet.”

Eddie competed in the 100 and 200 team relay in track. He held the Beloit High School record of 10 seconds flat for the 100 yard dash with Eddie Polglaze. This record stood for over 30 years.

Eddie attended Beloit College and continued his exploits there where he lettered in all three sports each of the years he was in competition. He scored the only touchdown in 1939 when Beloit College defeated the University of Chicago. He was co-captain for the 1941-42 basketball team.

Eddie learned to fly at Rock County Airport and was a licensed pilot. His potential for leadership was exhibited when he was selected for Officers Training School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Engineer Corps, a distinction that very few blacks attained in the 1940s.

On May 26, 1945, Eddie May was killed in action in France. It was a great tragedy for Beloit and the United States. Eddie was one of the many fine young men with the potential to make a great contribution to our city and country and was called upon to make the final supreme sacrifice.