Field of excellence
Black Americans in the Military
Black Americans have fought in every American war — earning the nation's highest honors while still fighting for its lowest promises, from Fort Wagner to the Tuskegee Airmen.
Black Americans have fought in every American war, usually for a country that denied them full citizenship. william-harvey-carney saved the flag at Fort Wagner in 1863 and became the first Black American to earn the Medal of Honor. cathay-williams disguised herself as a man to serve as a Buffalo Soldier. eugene-bullard — the "Black Swallow of Death" — became the first Black American military pilot, flying for France in World War I. henry-johnson of the Harlem Hellfighters fought off a German raid with 21 wounds (Medal of Honor, 2015). In World War II, doris-miller manned a gun at Pearl Harbor (Navy Cross and a Purple Heart); charity-adams led the all-Black, all-woman "Six Triple Eight"; benjamin-o-davis-jr commanded the Tuskegee Airmen; his father, benjamin-o-davis-sr, became the Army's first Black general; and vernon-baker earned the Medal of Honor. colin-powell would rise to lead the Joint Chiefs and serve as Secretary of State. They earned the country's highest honors while still fighting for its lowest promises.
The web
Connections to other moments, systems, and investigations — the links rarely drawn together.
- part of (incoming)·PersonBenjamin O. Davis Sr.
The first Black American promoted to general officer in the US Army (1940), capping a military career of over 50 years.
- part of (incoming)·PersonEugene Bullard
The first Black American military fighter pilot, the Black Swallow of Death, who flew for France in World War I and was decorated with the Croix de Guerre.
- part of (incoming)·PersonBenjamin O. Davis Jr.
Commander of the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II who later became the first Black general in the US Air Force.
- part of (incoming)·PersonHenry Johnson
Harlem Hellfighters soldier who fought off a German raid in WWI hand-to-hand despite 21 wounds; posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2015.
- part of (incoming)·PersonDoris Miller
Navy mess attendant who manned an anti-aircraft gun during the attack on Pearl Harbor; the first Black American awarded the Navy Cross, and a posthumous Purple Heart recipient.
- part of (incoming)·PersonVernon Baker
WWII Army officer awarded the Medal of Honor in 1997 for heroism near Viareggio, Italy; the only living Black WWII recipient of the medal at the time.
- part of (incoming)·PersonWilliam Harvey Carney
Sergeant of the 54th Massachusetts who saved the regimental flag at the 1863 assault on Fort Wagner; his actions made him the first Black American to earn the Medal of Honor.
- part of (incoming)·PersonCathay Williams
The first Black woman to enlist in the US Army, serving as a Buffalo Soldier under the name William Cathay by disguising herself as a man.
- part of (incoming)·PersonCharity Adams
Commander of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (the Six Triple Eight), the only all-Black, all-woman unit deployed overseas in WWII.
- part of (incoming)·PersonColin Powell
Four-star general who became the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and later the first Black US Secretary of State.