The U.S. Government's Terrible Behavior after WWI

The mothers & unmarried widows of men killed in WWI were to be sent to see the graves in Europe.

"The journey was enabled by legislation signed by President Calvin Coolidge on March 2, 1929, just before he left office. It authorized mothers and unmarried widows of deceased American soldiers, sailors, and marines buried in Europe to visit their loved ones’ final resting places. All reasonable expenses for their journey were paid for by the nation."

But...but....as always in the U.S., there was the question of race.  

 
The Smithsonian Magazine has the story.