User:SethROTCBush/African-American discrimination in the U.S. Military

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African-American discrimination in the U.S. Military is the discrimination of any person of African descent who have served in the U.S. Military. From its creation during the revolutionary war to the end of segregation. By President Trumans Executive Order 9981 in 1948 that officialy ended segregation in the U.S. Military.

Revolutionary War
African-Americans served on both sides of the war. In the capacity of both fighting men and slaves. While the North had opened up their state militias to freed slaves. It was forbidden in the south to arm slaves. As the Southern planters feared the worst from their former slaves. The Royal Governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, issued an emancipation proclamation in November 1775, promising freedom to runaway slaves who fought for the British. Sir Henry Clinton Commander in Chief of British forces issued a similar edict in New York in 1779. Over 100,000 slaves escaped to the British lines, although most served as laborers or orderlies for the British.

In response, Washington lifted the ban on black enlistment in the Continental Army in January 1776. All-black units were formed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ; many were slaves promised freedom for serving. At least 5,000 African-American soldiers fought as Revolutionaries, and at least 20,000 served with the British. The black soldiers on both sides were treated as little more than cannon fodder.

War of 1812
While whites still did not particularly like the idea of arming blacks during the war a majority of the sailors in the U.S. Navy were black. In fact, during the Battle of Lake Erie African Americans made up about one-quarter of the personnel in the American naval squadrons. While they served faithfully in the Navy they were not allowed to serve in the Army. The law of 1792, which generally prohibited enlistment of blacks in the Army became the United States Army's official policy until 1862. Do to its chronic shortage of personnel the navy never bothered with any restrictions on the enlistment of African Americans.

Civil War
The Civil War was no doubt the pivotal moment in deciding the fate of African-Americans. A Union Victory meant a swift end to the institution of slavery. A victory for the Confederacy would not only continue the institution but no doubt expand it to every corner of the new world. From the beginning the war was not seen as a war to end slavery it was seen as a war to preserve the union. The enlistment of blacks on either side was unheard of outside of state militias until July 17, 1862; Congress passed two acts allowing the enlistment of African Americans. However official enrollment occurred only after the September 1862 issuance of the Emancipation Proclamations. From the moment they donned the uniforms of the union African-Americans proved themselves to be invaluable troops they exceeded all expectations. At first however they were not employed on the battlefield, instead they were used as labor. White soldiers and officers believed that black men lacked the ability to fight and fight well. In October 1862, African American soldiers of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteers silenced their critics by repulsing attacking Confederate guerrillas at the skirmish at Island Mound, Missouri in October 1862.

Although black soldiers proved themselves as reputable soldiers, discrimination in pay and other areas remained widespread. According to the Militia Act of 1862, soldiers of African descent were to receive $10.00 a month, with a optional deduction for clothing at $3.00. In contrast, white privates received $13.00 per month plus a clothing allowance of $3.50.

World War I
When the call finally came for men to join the army African-American were only to eager to head their nations call yet again. By the wars end over 350,000 African-American will have swelled the Americans ranks. While they were eager to join the fight the U.S. Military was still segregated. On top of this the White officers didn’t particularly like the idea of arming blacks and training them how to use the weapons on top of that. Most African American units were largely relegated to support roles and did not see combat.

When the Americans finally arrived in France the allied commanders begged and pleaded for soldiers, they already had competent officers they just needed soldiers. The American commander General John J. Pershing refused to cannibalize any of his units nor send them into combat until they were ready. Instead he relinquished his black soldiers to their command. In return the allies put them on the hardest, dirtiest, and most dangerous missions they could think of. One of the black units was know as the Harlem Hell fighters saw some of the toughest battles of the war. No African-Americans were recognized for any awards or citations from the U.S. during the war.

World War II
During the Second World War African-American enlistment was at an all time high. However the U.S. Military was still heavily segregated. Over 125,000 African-Americans served overseas during World War II. No African-American would receive the Medal of Honor during the war. According to the Army their paper work was “lost”. It would take over 50yrs and a presidential order before the U.S. Army reviewed their records to award any Medals of Honor to black soldiers.This war marked the end of segregation in the U.S. Military. In 1948 President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 ending Segregation and inequality in the military.