Marcia Amidon Lusted - African Americans in the Military

AFRICAN-AMERICANS
IN THE MILITARY

MARCIA AMIDON LUSTED

TITLES IN THIS SERIES

AFRICAN-AMERICAN ACTIVISTS

AFRICAN-AMERICAN ARTISTS

AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSICIANS

AFRICAN-AMERICAN SCIENTISTS AND INVENTORS

AFRICAN-AMERICAN WRITERS AND JOURNALISTS

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN BUSINESS

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN LAW AND POLITICS

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE MILITARY

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN RADIO, FILM, AND TV ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN SPORTS

A HISTORY OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

AFRICAN-AMERICANS
IN THE MILITARY

MARCIA AMIDON LUSTED

MASON CREST
PHILADELPHIA

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Copyright 2013 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc.

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First printing
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Lsted, Marcia Amidon

African Americans in the military / by Marcia Amidon Lusted.

p. cm. (Major Black contributions from emancipation to civil rights)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Audience: Age 12.

ISBN 978-1-4222-2379-6 (hbk.)
ISBN 978-1-4222-2392-5 (pbk.)

1. United StatesArmed ForcesAfrican AmericansJuvenile literature.

2. United StatesHistory, MilitaryJuvenile literature. I. Title. E185.63.L87 2012

E185.63.L87 2012

305.896'073dc23

2011051948

Publishers note: All quotations in this book are taken from original sources, and contain the spelling and grammatical inconsistencies of the original texts.

Picture credits: Don Stivers Publishing: .

TABLE OF CONTENTS

by Dr. Marc Lamont Hill,
Institute for Research in African American Studies at Columbia University.

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill

I t is impossible to tell the story of America without telling the story of Black Americans. From the struggle to end slavery, all the way to the election of the first Black president, the Black experience has been a window into Americas own movement toward becoming a more perfect union. Through the tragedies and triumphs of Blacks in America, we gain a more full understanding of our collective history and a richer appreciation of our collective journey. This book series, MAJOR BLACK CONTRIBUTIONS FROM EMANCIPATION TO CIVIL RIGHTS, spotlights that journey by showing the many ways that Black Americans have been a central part of our nations development.

In this series, we are reminded that Blacks were not merely objects of history, swept up in the winds of social and political inevitability. Rather, since the end of legal slavery, Black men and women have actively fought for their own rights and freedoms. It is through their courageous efforts (along with the efforts of allies of all races) that Blacks are able to enjoy ever increasing levels of inclusion in American democracy. Through this series, we learn the names and stories of some of the most important contributors to our democracy.

But this series goes far beyond the story of slavery to freedom. The books in this series also demonstrate the various contributions of Black Americans to the nations social, cultural, technological, and intellectual growth. While these books provide new and deeper insights into the lives and stories of familiar figures like Martin Luther King, Michael Jordan, and Oprah Winfrey, they also introduce readers to the contributions of countless heroes who have often been pushed to the margins of history. In reading this series, we are able to see that Blacks have been key contributors across every field of human endeavor.

Although this is a series about Black Americans, it is important and necessary reading for everyone. While readers of color will find enormous purpose and pride in uncovering the history of their ancestors, these books should also create similar sentiments among readers of all races and ethnicities. By understanding the rich and deep history of Blacks, a group often ignored or marginalized in history, we are reminded that everyone has a story. Everyone has a contribution. Everyone matters.

The insights of these books are necessary for creating deeper, richer, and more inclusive classrooms. More importantly, they remind us of the power and possibility of individuals of all races, places, and traditions. Such insights not only allow us to understand the past, but to create a more beautiful future.

Photograph of General Colin Powell in 1989, the year he became the first African-American officer to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this position, Powell was the main military adviser to the president of the United States.

I n 1989, President George H. W. Bush named General Colin Powell chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Powell was the first African American to receive this honor. He had already served as the national security advisor for President Ronald Reagan. He had attained the highest rank in the United States Armyfour-star generaland had commanded more than a million soldiers. Now he would be in charge of all the military leaders giving advice to the president. In his announcement, President Bush said, [General Powell] will bring leadership, insight, and wisdom to our efforts to keep our military strong and ready, prepared to defend our security and to safeguard the peace.

Soon after President Bushs announcement, Powell gave a speech in which he said that his new job would not have been possible without the sacrifices of those black soldiers who served this great nation in war for over 200 years. African-American soldiers had fought bravely in every war Americans had ever waged. Their service started with the conflict that secured the nations independence: the Revolutionary War.

FIGHTING THE REVOLUTION

By 1770, the American colonies simmered with tension. Many colonists believed that British policies infringed on their rights, and they were determined to resist. In Boston on the cold night of March 5, 1770, passions boiled over into deadly violence. British soldiers opened fire on a mob of rioting colonists, killing five. The first to fall was a black man, a former slave named Crispus Attucks. He and the other victims of what came to be called the Boston Massacre were considered martyrs of the Patriot cause.