In February we observe Black History Month. I think it’s important that as we consider the contributions of our military, we see Black history as an integral part of American History and the Army’s history.

Our military has shaped our American History. This year, our nation’s theme for Black History Month is “Black Health and Wellness” and so today, I want to share with you some of the ways generations of Black Americans have served our country, and some of the stories of those who dedicated their lives to the health and wellness of our Soldiers and civilians.

Black Americans have left an indelible mark on history and on our society. We have never fought a war in which Black Americans did not serve proudly.

Approximately 5,000 Black Soldiers, mostly from New England, served in the Continental Army. In April of 1775, Black Soldiers fought at the Battle of Concord, and on Christmas night, 1776, Black Soldiers crossed the Delaware River with General George Washington.

Unfortunately, the contributions of Black Americans to the birth of our nation were, for the most part, unrecorded and soon forgotten. After the Revolutionary War, Black Americans were virtually excluded from the military forces until they volunteered to serve during the War of 1812.

When New Orleans was threatened, a segregated militia unit made up of Haitian refugees called the Battalion of Free Men of Color participated in a raid on the British camp and then held its portion of the line. After the battle, General Andrew Jackson addressed the troops and said: “You surpassed my hopes. The nation shall applaud your valor.”

Despite the heroism of these units during the War of 1812, Black Soldiers were again barred from Army service until the Civil War. President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 declared that former slaves could join the armed forces of the United States, and by the end of the Civil War, approximately 180,000 served as Black Soldiers – about 10 percent of the U.S. Army at that time.

As you may know, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was one of the first official units of Black Soldiers raised by a state as “U.S. volunteer infantry” during the Civil War and one of the most celebrated.

The 54th volunteered to lead the assault on Ft. Wagner in Charleston, South Carolina. The unit suffered enormous casualties before being forced to withdraw. In the end, the 54th lost two-thirds of their officers and half of their troops. The unit was widely acclaimed for its valor during the battle, which encouraged further enlistment and mobilization of Black Soldiers, a development that President Lincoln credited with helping to secure the final victory of the U.S. Army.

Throughout the Civil War, Black Americans served as nurses and doctors caring for Soldiers regardless of the color of their skin, though they themselves remained oppressed.

In her memoir, “Reminiscences of My Life In Camp,” Susie King Taylor, known as the first Black American nurse, documented her experiences with the 33rd U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment and wrote of the service of Black Americans and her hope for the future, where, as she said, so many of our people have shed their blood with their white comrades, that the stars and stripes should never be polluted.

During America’s expansion westward, Black Soldiers again protected our national interests. The 10th U.S. Cavalry, nicknamed “Buffalo Soldiers,” served long, isolated tours of duty in the Southwest, protecting settlers; serving as the first park rangers at Sequoia, Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks; guarding the mail and protecting the engineers and laborers who built the railroads. Their presence was key to the growth of America in the west.

The 369th Infantry Regiment (above) overcame unimaginable discrimination and neglect to earn their infamous nickname The Harlem Hellfighters and become one of the most decorated units of World War I. (Photo courtesy US Army)

In World War I, more than 350 thousand Black Soldiers served in segregated units, mostly as support troops. The 369th Infantry Regiment – an all-Black National Guard unit commonly referred to as the “Harlem Hellfighters,” shattered the lie that Black Americans were unsuitable for combat. The men of the 369th were attached to a division of the French army for 191 days on the front lines, at one point advancing almost nine miles through strong German resistance. For their actions, the Soldiers received the French medal for bravery in combat.

Black nurses also served with distinction in World War I. One historian wrote, “Although these nurses were required to live in segregated quarters, the strength and dignity of the Black women prevailed, and they served their country and practiced their profession with great skill and distinction.”

During World War II, more than one million Black Americans served in uniform. Perhaps the most famous segregated unit was the 332nd Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Forces.

These airmen were part of the experimental Tuskegee Training program, which trained Black Soldiers to be aviators. This program turned out skilled fighter pilots who earned 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses for their fighting in Italy and throughout occupied central and southern Europe.

In World War II, segregation initially kept thousands of Black medical professionals from volunteering to serve their country. When Captain Della Raney became the first black nurse commissioned in the Army, the service had restricted the number of Black nurses who could join to 56 – and they were only allowed to work in segregated camps. As the casualty rate of service members increased and the demand for nurses rose, Black leaders across the country fought to lift the quota and allow the more than 9,000 Black nurses who had volunteered to finally join the fight. In the end, only 500 were able to serve.

Although Black Americans fought with distinction in World War II, this racism and segregation continued when they returned home. Accounts of this racism and physical violence against these veterans garnered national attention, and in 1948, President Harry Truman issued Executive Order 9981, which called for equality of treatment of the Armed Forces. Sanctioned segregation within the Army was no longer allowed.

The Army simply could not accomplish its missions without the skill and dedication of ALL of its members. We find our true strength in our ability to bring together people of different races, cultures and faiths who share common values like duty, honor, selfless service, loyalty and respect.

In 2021, the nation recognized Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe, a Black Soldier who sacrificed himself to retrieve six Soldiers and an interpreter from a burning vehicle in Iraq. Sergeant First Class Cashe, posthumously presented the Medal of Honor, lived those values and gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect and care for his brothers – his people – his country.

Today, we honor the courageous service of Black Americans to our nation. This population makes up about 19 percent of our total Army and serves at every level of military leadership. Many come from a long line of Army service, made especially unique in that their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents served a country that did not honor their citizenship in many ways.

In the Army, we have developed a focused strategy to address policies and procedures to make our organization more inclusive – to create spaces of belonging for everyone in the Army. We recognize that to fight and win our nation’s wars we need the strength that comes from our diversity, which enables and drives the high performing and cohesive teams we need.

Our differences and our different cultures make our communities and our Army strong and resilient. When Soldiers know that you’re going to take care of them and treat them with dignity and respect, they will go to incredible lengths for our Army and our nation.

Each of us is unique and brings different and valuable resources to the table, which only makes our Army stronger.

Black Americans, who have defended our nation since the Revolutionary War, have built a legacy of courage and professionalism by serving the U.S. Army with great honor and distinction, inspiring generations to come – we recognize and honor that legacy this month and always.

Thank you for serving our country.

Mario A. Guerra currently serves as the Civilian Aide To The Secretary Of The Army. He is the former Mayor of Downey and co-host of the podcast called Talking Downey. He can be reached at www.marioaguerra.com

Black history and our Army