African American's War Contributions

Over the course of history African American men and women have been a major and sometimes, unrecognized part of the United States military. In 2009 the city of Hattiesburg opened up the African American Military History Museum downtown. After the tornado in 2013 it left a significant amount of damage to the building. As of now the museum is reconstructed and running smoothly. The museums hours are Mon.- Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday 12pm-4pm.

In the past, it took years for African Americans to be recognized for their roles in major wars and battles. They were apart of the American Revolution, Civil War

that solidified the freedom of slaves, And every war after that. They had a major role in every major battle during the American revolution.

The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was one of the first official black units in the U.S. armed forces. The assault led by them on Fort Wagner was a big part in the Civil War and helped bring the end of slavery. In essence, these men kind of freed themselves. During the Civil War in Mississippi however, more than 17,00 black slaves and freedmen fought for the Union. On the other side of the war a large portion of slaves were body servants, followed closely behind their masters during war. The body servants built fortifications and other tasks for the Confederate Army. Time and time again these

soldiers laid their lives down to fight for basic rights of the American people that they themselves had not even been granted. During the war men were fighting for equal pay as well as their freedom and would achieve both by the end of the war.

When the first World War began the United States was heavily segregated, and even though slaves had been freed African Americans still Hadn’t been granted the rights that they were given by God and guaranteed by the Constitution. Many of them hoped to join the military to show that we were all still Americans and that we all still fight for the same flag. Many were turned away until May 18, 1917, when the Selective Service Act was put into place declaring that all male citizens between the ages of 21 to 31 had to join the military.

During the first World War even though black people only made up 10 percent of the U.S’s population they made up 13 percent of the people put into the draft. However, black men were not allowed to be in the Marines and could only have certain positions in the Navy and Coast Guard. During that time the Army, even though it allowed blacks, still practiced segregation. There was an all black unit nick named the “Harlem Hellfighters” and they were the 369th infantry unit that served on the front lines. The thing that made them unique that they stayed on the front lines for six months and that was longer than anyone else from America had, with a significantly less amount of training. They also never lost any prisoners or territory to the enemy, France presented the whole unite with the Croix de Guerre award. The award is one of the highest military honors. 171 members of the regime were given the Legion of Merit award as well.

World War II was another chance for African Americans to fight next to their fellow Americans, this time against fascism. While over seas the men also tried to over come racism from within their own ranks. More than 1 million African Americans volunteered. During WWII things started to slowly change. The ranks were slowly integrated and blacks were allowed to do things they were never allowed to do. They were given the opportunity to be apart of the Air Force, and in just a few short years the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines changed the treatment of blacks. The first integrated battle fought during WWII was the Battle of the Bulge. As these changes were being made people began to realize that separation wasn’t necessary, because we are all Americans. World War II was a time when America did a Nobel thing by standing up to Hitler by moving into action against his genocide of millions of people simply for their religion and way of life. It also made Americans look inward and realize that they were fighting for the freedom of others but still refused to acknowledge the fact that segregation was still at

large back home, and blacks were barely second class citizens. It was a moment where they finally understood that the same oppression that was happening in Germany, was slightly similar to what was going on back home.

One of the most known war stories about black people on the Army is about the Tuskegee Airmen (also know as the Red Tails). 926 black men were trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama to become escorts for cargo planes. The 99th Pursuit Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group would go down in history for never losing an escorted plane. There was actually a movie made a bout the flying squadron in 2012 appropriately named the “Red Tails.”

In 1948 back home Civil Rights was just starting to catch fire, so President Harry S.

Truman ordered the desegregation of the armed forces. This was a big move considering half of the male population was overseas and currently in the military. The change happened slowly but change was still being made and that was the point. As President, Truman was setting an example to let the people know it was time to move forward, at least on the battle field.

In many ways the African American men that fought for the country broke barriers and taught their comrades in arms that they were more alike that they thought and that no matter our skin color we will still die the same.