Corrected entry: After the opening scenes in which the American soldiers have defeated the German troops on the island off the coast of Scotland, there is a still photo of the American troops, Hellboy and Professor Broom in a group shot. In the picture there are at least two black soldiers among the group. Since this took place in 1944, the U.S. Army was very much segregated and there is no way black and white soldiers would have been in the same combat units together, much less on a "secret" mission.
Grumpy Scot
19th Feb 2006
Correction: I think it far more likely whoever was in charge of this highly secret and unusual mission would pick the best soldiers he could get, no matter what color.
Grumpy Scot