BLACK BLACK PATRIOTSPATRIOTS

The African-The African-American American

Community Community Response to Response to

America’s WarsAmerica’s Wars

A Research Project A Research Project Celebrating African-Celebrating African-American Freedom American Freedom

FightersFighters

THE THE REVOLUTIONARY REVOLUTIONARY WAR WAR 17751775

TO

911 / THE WAR ON THE WAR ON TERROR TERROR 20022002

Why is it that often the role Why is it that often the role of African Americans in of African Americans in

many periods of history is many periods of history is not emphasized? not emphasized?

The American Revolution (1775-1783)The War of 1812 (1812-1815)The Mexican American War (1846-1848)The American Civil War (1861-1865)

These four wars, plus the six other wars in this exhibit, produced an unbelievable array of African-American Soldiers of Liberty. The other wars included:

The Indian Campaigns (1866-1890)The Spanish-American War (1898)World War I-European War (1914-1918)World War II-European War (1939-1945)The Korean War (1950-1953)The Vietnam War (1959-1973)The Persian Gulf War (1990-1991)

REVOLUTIONARY REVOLUTIONARY WAR 1775-1783WAR 1775-1783

Colin Powell on blacks fighting during the Revolutionary War

When war comes and blood is being shed and casualties are being experienced, you really have to start looking for manpower. And by now, it is known that slaves can be soldiers. Free black men can be soldiers. And the British were trying to recruit blacks, promising them their freedom. So as was often the case in our history, market forces -- isn't that a horrible way to put it? -- market forces became operative for purposes of strategic necessity. And so black men were recruited, and it was determined that they could be good soldiers. So necessity has always pushed us along.

Illustration from the 1855 edition of "Colored Patriots of the American Revolution" by W.C. Nell shows Crispus Attucks, the "first martyr of the American Revolution" fired on by British soldiers in Boston on March 5, 1770.

The Black Patriots Foundation

“ A “Celebration of Patriotism Gala” at the Embassy of France to honor the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown that secured us as a nation.

Located on the National Mall to honor the more than 5000 African Americans who bravely participated in the American Revolutionary War effort.

Unlike the Continental Army, the Navy recruited both free and enslaved blacks from the very start of the Revolutionary War -- partly out of desperation for seamen of any color, and partly because many blacks were already experienced sailors, having served in British and state navies, as well as on merchant vessels in the North and the South.

17 June 1775 Several black soldiers (most 17 June 1775 Several black soldiers (most notably Peter Salem and Salem Poor) helped notably Peter Salem and Salem Poor) helped defend Breed’s Hill on Charlestown Heights defend Breed’s Hill on Charlestown Heights overlooking Boston Harbor. Although overlooking Boston Harbor. Although tactically a British victory, this tactically a British victory, this confrontation was psychologically confrontation was psychologically significant for the colonists. The patriots significant for the colonists. The patriots met British regulars and successfully held met British regulars and successfully held on to their position until they ran out of on to their position until they ran out of ammunition.ammunition.

The War of 1812The War of 1812

1812-18151812-1815

8 January 1815 Two battalions of 430 black soldiers fought with soldiers fought with

General Andrew Jackson at the General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans, two weeks Battle of New Orleans, two weeks

after the Treaty of Ghent had after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed, ending the War of been signed, ending the War of

1812. 1812.

Those Blacks who were willing, able, or chosen to fight the Those Blacks who were willing, able, or chosen to fight the British for America's defense did so with unusual valor. British for America's defense did so with unusual valor. They fought in various campaigns on both sea and land. They fought in various campaigns on both sea and land. Blacks served in naval vessels, in mixed regiments, and in Blacks served in naval vessels, in mixed regiments, and in all "colored" regiments. Many were taken as prisoners by all "colored" regiments. Many were taken as prisoners by the British. One exemplary unit was the TWENTY-SIXTH the British. One exemplary unit was the TWENTY-SIXTH U. S. INFANTRY REGIMENT consisting of 247 "colored" U. S. INFANTRY REGIMENT consisting of 247 "colored" recruits from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under the recruits from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under the command of Captain William Bezean. Many of these command of Captain William Bezean. Many of these willing and able regiments were held at bay, but many willing and able regiments were held at bay, but many provided the backup and labor to keep the army running provided the backup and labor to keep the army running effectively. Sketchy records show blacks at the BATTLES effectively. Sketchy records show blacks at the BATTLES OF LAKE ERIE and NEW ORLEANS.OF LAKE ERIE and NEW ORLEANS.

The Mexican -The Mexican -American WarAmerican War

1846-18481846-1848

Black soldiers in the Mexican American War comprised a list of freedmen who felt they were mainly showing loyalty to their country by fighting for LIBERTY. Military records have produced names for many of the soldiers. The First Regiment of Volunteers, New York; the Fourth Artillery; and the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Infantry regiments provided many names. Besides the infantry, ample names were connected with the U. S. Navy, and many were company musicians.

The Civil War The Civil War 1861-18651861-1865

BHM THEME 20112011_Black_History_Theme.pdf

From the beginning, both black slaves and freeman saw From the beginning, both black slaves and freeman saw this opportunity to serve in the military as a method for this opportunity to serve in the military as a method for relinquishing their chains and proving their inclusive relinquishing their chains and proving their inclusive worthiness to this nation. On the whole, there was worthiness to this nation. On the whole, there was widespread resistance by whites on both the Union blue widespread resistance by whites on both the Union blue and Confederate gray sides in accepting Blacks as part of and Confederate gray sides in accepting Blacks as part of the military. the military.

Equality was hard to achieve for the African American during this ERA in history. The war was a bloody one, and it cost the lives of over 38,000 Blacks seeking to be a part of the FREEDOM ON AMERICAN SOIL.

Effective January 1, 1863, the Proclamation emancipated Confederate slaves and authorized the use of black soldiers by Union troops. By the end of the war about 186,000 African American men had enlisted.

Black Seaman’s memorial

U.S. Colored Troops--Wounded in Action

Despite problems getting paid, lower wages than white soldiers when they finally were paid, segregated units, and high ranks for whites only, the U.S. Colored Troops displayed a tenacious loyalty to the Union cause.

54th Mass. inspired the movie “Glory”

Blacks served in various capacities in the Union army. At first Union leaders allowed no black men to be commissioned officers,

but eventually they served as noncommissioned officers, doctors, and

chaplains.

Service records for over eighteen thousand African American Civil War seamen have now been identified by the Naval Historical Center at the Washington, D. C., Navy Yard.

African Americans at

Sea

In the center is Lt. John P. Shaw, killed in action at the Wilderness, Virginia, May 5, 1864, and on the right is Lt. T. Fry. The "contrabands" with them are not named.

THE INDIAN CAMPAIGNS, 1866-1890THE INDIAN CAMPAIGNS, 1866-1890

Today, significant records have surfaced showing Today, significant records have surfaced showing Black soldiers and scouts playing valuable roles in Black soldiers and scouts playing valuable roles in the peacekeeping protective forces of the early the peacekeeping protective forces of the early WEST. One renowned Black group, called the WEST. One renowned Black group, called the BUFFALO SOLDIERS, supplied a protective force BUFFALO SOLDIERS, supplied a protective force for the expanding WEST. They composed the 9th, for the expanding WEST. They composed the 9th, 10th, 24th, and 25th CAVALRIES. The 9th and 10th, 24th, and 25th CAVALRIES. The 9th and 10th Cavalries were former all black regiments in 10th Cavalries were former all black regiments in the Civil War. The other two units were organized the Civil War. The other two units were organized to increase the protective needs of the westward to increase the protective needs of the westward moving pioneers of Western America.moving pioneers of Western America.

The Spanish The Spanish -American -American War 1898War 1898

Theodore Roosevelt, who later became U. S. Theodore Roosevelt, who later became U. S. President (1901-1909), served along side black President (1901-1909), served along side black soldiers in the SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR as soldiers in the SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR as part of the unit, "THE ROUGH RIDERS." On part of the unit, "THE ROUGH RIDERS." On one Cuban mission, the 10th Calvary rescued the one Cuban mission, the 10th Calvary rescued the Rough Riders. Theodore Roosevelt said, "I don't Rough Riders. Theodore Roosevelt said, "I don't think that any Rough Rider will ever forget the think that any Rough Rider will ever forget the tie that binds us to the 9th and 10th Calvary." tie that binds us to the 9th and 10th Calvary." Lieutenant John J. Pershing was able to Lieutenant John J. Pershing was able to comment, "White regiments, Black regiments, comment, "White regiments, Black regiments, Regulars, and Rough Riders, representing the Regulars, and Rough Riders, representing the young manhood of the North and South, fought young manhood of the North and South, fought shoulder to shoulder. All of the soldiers were shoulder to shoulder. All of the soldiers were mindful only of their common duty as mindful only of their common duty as Americans."Americans."

World War IWorld War I

1914-19181914-1918

When World War I erupted, the Black soldier had learned to see his opportunity in the military as a means of expressing his patriotism and bravery for the country in which he so totally sought inclusion. Racism on the home front was not "dead," but the Black soldier wanted to establish his reputation as a defender of freedom and liberty.

More than 350,000 African Americans served in segregated units during World War I, mostly as support troops. Several

units saw action alongside French soldiers fighting against the Germans, and 171 African Americans were awarded the

French Legion of Honor. In response to protests of discrimination and

mistreatment from the black community, several hundred African American men received officers' training in Des Moines, Iowa. By October 1917, over six hundred African Americans were commissioned as captains and first and second lieutenants.

World War IIWorld War II

1941-19451941-1945

During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Dorie Miller, a naval messman on board the Arizona, pulled his dying captain off the deck and then manned a machine gun. Miller shot down four planes and was awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery and alertness. Although barely out of his teens, he died in a subsequent encounter. His valor was particularly significant because, in spite of numerous protests by African Americans, the Navy generally only allowed blacks to serve in its Messmen's Branch. Miller's feat showed that even without training, African American sailors were effective in combat.

THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN Racial exclusionary policies were in full force in certain areas of the military during the late 1930's and early 1940's. General H. H. Arnold had made it clear that "no Blacks would ever pilot a plane in the upcoming war." The legal segregation of African Americans did not allow them to receive the necessary training to become FIGHTER AIR PILOTS at white-operated pilot schools. After some protest, the WAR DEPARTMENT, in 1941, agreed to accommodate an all-black FLIGHT SCHOOL at TUSKEGEE AIR FORCE BASE. That base produced the first African American COMBAT FIGHTER PILOTS, and they became known as the TUSKEGEE AIRMEN of the 99TH PURSUIT SQUADRON. Out of this squadron came Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., son of the first African American General, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. Colonel Davis was awarded the SILVER STAR for gallantry in COMBAT. He was later promoted to general in 1965.

This photograph documents the arrival of the first African American nurses in England.

African American fighter pilots were

trained as a part of the Army Air Force, but

only at a segregated base located in Tuskegee,

Alabama. Hundreds of airmen were trained and

many saw action.

The Korean WarThe Korean War

1950-19531950-1953

The Korean War was the turning point in the acceptance of African Americans as proven SOLDIERS OF LIBERTY in the UNITED STATES MILITARY. The Army thus ELIMINATED 300 ALL-BLACK UNITS. There were more than 300,000 AFRICAN AMERICANS integrated into previously all-white units when the Korean War ended on July 27, 1953.

The The Vietnam Vietnam

War 1959-War 1959-19731973

For African Americans, changes were suddenly For African Americans, changes were suddenly happening in America. On June 29, 1964, The Civil Rights happening in America. On June 29, 1964, The Civil Rights Bill was passed, banning discrimination in VOTING, Bill was passed, banning discrimination in VOTING, JOBS, and PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, and, by JOBS, and PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, and, by December 31, 1964, the United States had sent 184,300 December 31, 1964, the United States had sent 184,300 American soldiers to SOUTH VIETNAM. The DRAFT American soldiers to SOUTH VIETNAM. The DRAFT BOARDS all over the United States were actively BOARDS all over the United States were actively recruiting and drafting heavily for men and women, both recruiting and drafting heavily for men and women, both black and white, TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY IN black and white, TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY IN VIETNAM. African Americans decidedly chose to serve VIETNAM. African Americans decidedly chose to serve the causes of America, even though educational, the causes of America, even though educational, employment, and housing opportunities were not employment, and housing opportunities were not widespread in 1965. In the military, the African American widespread in 1965. In the military, the African American soldier was able to maximize some degree of service rank soldier was able to maximize some degree of service rank and gain a form of respect which comes with loyalty to and gain a form of respect which comes with loyalty to one's country.one's country.

The Persian The Persian Gulf WarGulf War

1990-19911990-1991

ON JANUARY 17, 1991, OPERATION DESERT STORM destroyed the IRAQI COMMUNICATION SYSTEM and crippled the entire IRAQI ARMY. By February 27, 1991, the last of the Iraqi army was either captured, killed, or in retreat. The devastation in this area was awesome. KUWAIT'S rich oil reserves were partially destroyed by the Iraqis, but the Kuwaitis were saved by a mixed ARMY OF LIBERATORS. Out of the combined U. S. and international forces came 400,000 men and women, and, among them, 113,000 African American soldiers participated in this freedom mission.

The War on The War on Terror Terror

9/11/01-9/11/01-

Photo by office of social studies 9/11Photo by office of social studies 9/11

Photo by office of social studies 9/12Photo by office of social studies 9/12