Reflecting on African American Month, Service and Our Soldiers

An estimated 1.2 million Black men served in the U.S. military during WWII. (Life Images)

This month we celebrate African American History Month. I think it’s important that as we consider the contributions of African Americans, we see this history as an integral part of American history and the Army’s history.

Our military has shaped our American History. This year’s theme in the Army for African American History Month is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity,” and so today, I want to share with you some of the ways generations of African Americans have served their county.

They were not always given the respect and honor due to them, but they have left an indelible mark on history and on our society. We have never fought a war in which African 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 Day, 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 Revolution, African Americans were virtually eliminated from the military forces until they were called to serve during the War of 1812. When New Orleans was threatened, a segregated unit called the Battalion of Free Men of Color held its portion of the line and then counterattacked.

After the battle, General Andrew Jackson addressed the Black troops and said: “You surpassed my hopes. The nation shall applaud your valor.” Despite the heroism of Black units during the War of 1812, African Americans were again barred from military 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 Black men served as Soldiers – that’s about 10 percent of the Union Army. As you may know, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was one of the first official Black units during the Civil War and one of the most celebrated.

During America’s expansion westward, Black Soldiers again protected American interests. Black troops nicknamed “Buffalo Soldiers” served long, isolated tours of duty in the Southwest, protecting settlers, building roads, 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. In World War I, more than 350 thousand Black Americans served in segregated units, mostly as support troops. The myth that African Americans were unsuitable for combat was shattered by the 369th Infantry Regiment – an all-Black unit commonly referred to as the Harlem Hellfighters.

The men of the 369th supported the French army for 191 days on the front lines, at one point advancing almost nine miles through severe German resistance. For their actions, the soldiers received the French medal for bravery in combat.

African American 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 African 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 African Americans to be aviators. Skeptics of the program believed that African Americans were incapable of mastering the complex skills of aviation.

But they were soon proven wrong of course, and many German combat planes fell from the skies at the hands of the Tuskegee pilots. The Six-Triple-Eight Central Postal Directory Battalion was the first and only all-female African American unit deployed overseas during World War II.

Although African Americans fought with distinction in World War II, they returned home to a segregated America. In 1948, President Harry Truman issued Executive Order 9981, which called for equal opportunity for all members of the Armed Forces.

The segregated Army was a thing of the past. Soon the segregation of American society as a whole would begin to crumble. Since that time, African Americans have courageously served our nation alongside people of all races. Today, African Americans make up about 19 percent of our Army and serve at every level of military leadership. Including our newly confirmed Secretary of Defense, General Lloyd Austin.

Many come from a long line of Army service – their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers served a country that did not honor their citizenship in the most basic of ways. 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.

This has been a sobering year in the history of our country. In the Army, and across America, we have been forced to consider how inclusive our society and our military really is. Instead of looking at our differences, I challenge each one of us to look at the ways we are similar.

We all love our country. We all support our families, co-workers and communities. Especially all our soldiers, regardless of color or ethnicity and gender. And as an Army, we support our Army values and should be proud of the shared ideals that bring us together. Regardless of our roots, we remain first, last, and always – Americans. This is the legacy of African American History. It is the legacy of America, and our hope for the future.

Mario A. Guerra is the former Mayor of Downey and currently serves as the Civilian Aide To The Secretary Of The Army. He can be reached at Mario@Guerrains.com and his website is www.marioaguerra.com