On March 2, 1917, President Wilson issued a declaration of war against Germany, officially entering World War I that he pledged to keep the country out of. To achieve maximum strength to fight against the Germans, The U.S mobilized the whole nation for war with a draft that including Americans of all races. Many blacks contested World War I, arguing why fight for democracy in Europe while African Americans remain second class citizens in the United States. Others believed that if blacks served their country, the government would have no choice but to reward them with equal rights. Over one million African Americans responded to draft calls, and about 370,000 black men were inducted into the army (Williams, 2011).
Those who answered the call …show more content…
The Korean War was the last American conflict involving segregated units of the armed forces. African Americans served in all combat and combat support roles during the Korean War and were involved in all major combat operations. By the end of the Korean War, more than 600,000 African Americans had served in the military (Clay, 1987). All black units played a huge role in the war, and one unit that was highly praised was the first, last, and only all black Ranger Company. Rangers are an elite light infantry Special Operations Company specialized in irregular …show more content…
Marcelite Jordan was the first African American female to become a general officer in the Air Force. Forty years after military segregation ended, General Colin L. Powell was the first African-American appointed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the Department of Defense overseeing Operation Desert Storm in Iraq (Powell, 2012). Even in today’s military African Americans continue to break barriers and make history in the military. In 2005 Sergeant Nicholas Irving was the first African American Ranger Sniper in the 75th Ranger Regiment (Irving, 2015). Navy Admiral Michelle J. Howard broke numerous barriers in the U.S. Navy. She was the first African-American woman to command a U.S. Navy ship, and the first woman to hold the position as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Today African Americans still make up a small percentage of the armed forces, but continue to make
Those who answered the call …show more content…
The Korean War was the last American conflict involving segregated units of the armed forces. African Americans served in all combat and combat support roles during the Korean War and were involved in all major combat operations. By the end of the Korean War, more than 600,000 African Americans had served in the military (Clay, 1987). All black units played a huge role in the war, and one unit that was highly praised was the first, last, and only all black Ranger Company. Rangers are an elite light infantry Special Operations Company specialized in irregular …show more content…
Marcelite Jordan was the first African American female to become a general officer in the Air Force. Forty years after military segregation ended, General Colin L. Powell was the first African-American appointed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the Department of Defense overseeing Operation Desert Storm in Iraq (Powell, 2012). Even in today’s military African Americans continue to break barriers and make history in the military. In 2005 Sergeant Nicholas Irving was the first African American Ranger Sniper in the 75th Ranger Regiment (Irving, 2015). Navy Admiral Michelle J. Howard broke numerous barriers in the U.S. Navy. She was the first African-American woman to command a U.S. Navy ship, and the first woman to hold the position as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Today African Americans still make up a small percentage of the armed forces, but continue to make