The Plight of African American Soldiers in the First and Second World Wars - Essay Example

The Plight of African American Soldiers in the First and Second World War Although integration within the public school system did not come until the 1960s, integration within the United States military came in 1948; as a presidential decree from then Pres. Harry Truman. However, the back story leading up to this inclusion of African-Americans into the United States Armed Forces is one that spans a very long period of history. Rather than delving back into the contributions that African-Americans have made in wars since the revolutionary war, this particular analysis will instead focus upon African-Americans and their contributions to both World War I and World War II. Through such an engagement an understanding, it is the hope of this particular author that the reader can gain a more warmed appreciation for the contributions and struggles that African-American soldiers faced during these two wars and how these hardships ultimately culminated in their inclusion within a decent segregated military. Interestingly, even though African-Americans were segregated from the remainder of society and existed under harsh and repressive Jim Crow laws throughout much of the United States, only 300,000 volunteered at the outset of American hostilities with Germany during the First World War. For the most part, these volunteers were relegated to support roles and did not see direct combat. Pervasive attitudes of racism and inferiority of African-Americans lead commanders not to utilize them for frontline action; believing that they would somehow be unfit for the direct and violent conflict that existed within such an arena of action. However, there were a few cases in which African-American units came into direct military conflict with the German infantry; and of these few cases, each and every one of these African-American battalions distinguished itself remarkably. For instance, the 369th infantry received 171 Legions of Merit awards for its soldiers; due to the remarkable offensive capabilities it exhibited against an onslaught of German heavy artillery and machine gun fire on the front lines. Yet, even though this particular battalion distinguished itself without question, institutional racism still prevented Cpl. Freddie Stowers from receiving a deserved Medal of Honor until 73 years after he died on the battlefield. When reviewed, the military claimed that the paperwork was misfiled and corrected the mistake. However, many individual still point to the belief that institutional racism was ultimately the reason why this particularly valiant soldier was not committed for his actions much earlier. Yet, beyond the medals that were one and the lives that were lost, African-Americans contributions first world war indicated that they were a powerful force in helping to achieve victory; not only from logistical standpoint but also from a direct combat engagements and – winning several key victories against German forces of a superior size and training level . Sadly, the lessons that were learned during the First World War were not translated to a change in behavior or strategic engagement during the Second World War. Instead, the military remained largely segregated and units even marched in parades within segregated groups of soldiers. Once again, the military engaged in a policy in which direct combat units were invariably Caucasian. However, distinct counterexamples to this were once again represented; in a similar way to which they were represented in the First World War. Most notably among these was of course the 452nd Antiaircraft Battalion, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the 761st Tank Battalion. As compared to the First World War, these three units distinguish themselves so effectively that individuals within the military were forced to reconsider their views on segregation and whether or not African-American soldiers and whites should serve side-by-side. It should further be understood that many African-Americans had mixed feelings with respect to the degree and extent to which they supported the war effort. One of the underlying reasons for these mixed feelings has to do with the fact that the African-American community was struggling under such a heavy yoke of repression and hardship that it seemed incongruous to join with the United States government in seeking to win the freedom and self determinacy of other individuals halfway around the world. Nevertheless, African-Americans still consider themselves as valuable citizens within the United States and recognize that seeking to separate their race from involvement and inclusion within society, and indeed within the military, would only serve to weaken their claim to further rights and representation within the United States. As such, even though there was not a definitive spokesperson for the African-American community during this particular period of time, it was generally agreed upon that engagements and seeking to promote the equality on an individual and systemic level was the most effective means by which the interests of all African-Americans within the United States could be furthered. With respect to the Second World War, it became clear that fighting against inherent racism and xenophobia was not only within the best interests of a global world, it was also within the best interest of a group of individuals within the United States that were increasingly targeted and discriminated against. Many military historians have indicated that the levels of success that were achieved by these specific units were essential and prompting Harry Truman, and others within the decision-making structure of the United States military, to favor desegregation and provide for a full level of inclusion of African-Americans and whites within the military. Sadly, it was not until such a time as African-Americans had proven, recruitment, and proven again their success within the field of combat that the military and the entire nation began to reconsider the degree and extent to which these citizens were worthy of inclusion into a military that had so often shunned them and disparaged what potential contribution they might make as a function of relegating them to logistical support roles. In retrospect, it is highly possible that if African-Americans had been desegregated earlier within the military history of the United States, battles, and indeed entire campaigns and wars might have been decided in a completely different manner as compared to the way in which they have been. Work Cited PARRY, MARC. "Roots Of Freedom." Chronicle Of Higher Education 60.36 (2014): B9-B12. Academic Search Complete. Web. 23 July 2014. Read More