Wiki History: Blacks in the Military 2 (The Heroes)

11/26/14 • 20 min

Welcome back to robinlofton.com for Part II of the African Americans in the Military wiki history podcast!

In Part I, we examined the strong presence of African Americans in every U.S. war since the American Revolution. We also looked at problems of segregation, racial bias, and unequal treatment of Blacks in the military. And I mentioned that this these podcasts are dedicated to Nabvets, which is the National Association of Black Veterans, for their great contribution to improving the lives of Black veterans and their families. Thanks to your help (listening to this podcast series), I have been able to make a good contribution to this organization. But I want to donate more so keep listening because it’s about to get even more interesting. At the end of this podcast, you will learn how to contribute to this organization.

In this podcast, we will discuss African Americans who have distinguished themselves in the armed forces. There are regiments that have served the U.S. with honor and distinction. I have to begin with an apology that I cannot list or discuss every one of them—there are just too many!—but I hope that you will be inspired by the great achievements that you will hear about today. Remember those 3 important words from Part I? Courage, Determination, Honor. These heroes today showed all these qualities and have raised the bar to give us something to strive for.

We will begin with the Harlem Hellfighters.

Is that name familiar? Hopefully, it will be one day because these men have earned the right to be known, remembered, and written into our history books!

The Harlem Hellfighters were an African American regiment (remember the regiments used to be segregated) who fought in World War I. They were one of the few African American combat units (remember again that most Blacks were relegated to service or general labor duties). The Harlem Hellfighters were originally called the 15th New York Colored Regiment. Later, they were called the 369th Infantry unit.

So, what did they do? The Harlem Hellfighters were the longest serving and most decorated unit in World War I. They spent 191 days under enemy fire. Now, that’s courage under fire to an extreme! They are also credited with numerous courageous acts on the battlefield.

What about the name “Harlem Hellfighters”? Former commander, Colonel Reginald Sanders explains: "We did not give ourselves our name [the Harlem Hellfighters]. Our enemies gave us our name, [which] is an honor." The Hellfighters were actually given two different names from the Europeans. The French called them Men of Bronze out of respect. In fact, the French government gave the regiment the prestigious “croix de Guerre” award in 1918. But it was the Germans who gave them the name of “Hellfighters” out of fear for their acts in combat. That’s not surprising since the Hellfighters were cited 11 times for bravery under fire.

While the Europeans showed lots of respect for the Harlem Hellfighters, they didn’t get the same respect back at home. The French gave them the opportunity to fight though it was denied to them by the American army, which had them unloading ships and working as waiters. They had also received their training in South Carolina where they were confronted with racism and race-motivated violence. There were numerous standoffs between the Hellfighters and the white residents who resented the increased presence of Blacks in their town.

And, following the end of the war, the Hellfighters returned home to what was called the Red Summer of 1919, which was the worst racial violence in U.S. history and saw a nation racial frenzy of riots, massacres, and lynchings throughout the North and South, all were started by whites who were angry about Blacks serving in the military and getting better jobs while whites were away at war. No, that was definitely not the welcome that the Hellfighters deserved after serving their country so courageously.

Martin Miller, who was 16 when he joined the Harlem Hellfighters, recalled arriving in Europe and beginning the fight: “That day, the sun was shining, and we were marching. And the band was playing," Miller told an interviewer for the 1977 documentary Men of Bronze. "Everybody's head [was] high, and we were all proud to be Americans, proud to be black, and proud to be in the 15th New York Infantry."

They made us proud!

Moving on to another African American regiment that made history and served with honor and distinction. And made us proud, too.

The Buffalo Soldiers

The name might be familiar from the iconic Bob Marley song. But how much do we know about the Buffalo soldiers? Well, now’s the time to learn a bit more.

The Buffalo soldiers were formed in 1866 by an act of Congress. They were actually a group of units: 6 army units, 2 cavalry (the famous 9th & 10...

Welcome back to robinlofton.com for Part II of the African Americans in the Military wiki history podcast!

We will begin with the Harlem Hellfighters.

Is that name familiar? Hopefully, it will be one day because these men have earned the right to be known, remembered, and written into our history books!

They made us proud!

Moving on to another African American regiment that made history and served with honor and distinction. And made us proud, too.

The Buffalo Soldiers

The name might be familiar from the iconic Bob Marley song. But how much do we know about the Buffalo soldiers? Well, now’s the time to learn a bit more.

The Buffalo soldiers were formed in 1866 by an act of Congress. They were actually a group of units: 6 army units, 2 cavalry (the famous 9th & 10...

Previous Episode

Wiki History: Blacks in the Military 1

Welcome back to robinlofton.com for another Wiki History Lecture!

November is the month that Americans remember and honor its veterans—the brave men and women who fought for freedom and liberty both within the country and around the world. As of 2013, there are nearly 20 million veterans living in the United States. Of that number, more than 2 million veterans are African American.

African Americans have fought in every war beginning with the Revolutionary War.

Civil War: 200,000 African Americans served.

World War I: 375,000 African Americans served

World War II: 1 million African Americans served

I won’t continue through all the wars but I’m sure that you send the trend!

Indeed, the African American presence in the military was always strong and is continuing to grow stronger. There were difficulties, particularly racial discrimination, there were victories and triumphs, there have been heroes (lots of heroes!) and yes, there have been defeats. The history is long and varied so I think that we should get started discussing this fascinating but often forgotten history.

This is African American history at its finest! But you might be asking yourself: what can I learn from it?

Great question.

Here’s the answer: Courage. Determination. Honor.

Great qualities! Everyone can benefit from these qualities—whether military or civilian, male or female, rich or poor, Black or white. Everyone.

And these stories about African Americans in the military--their bravery to face obstacles like racism, their determination to fight for their country and their freedom, their courage under fire whether it came from Nazis in 1944, from the Vietcong in 1969 or from other American soldiers—these stories will inspire you to transcend any hardships that might be in your own life. So, let’s get begin at the beginning.

Did you know that African Americans fought in the Revolutionary War? Well, you can believe it because both free and enslaved Africans fought on both sides of the war (at least in the beginning). You might wonder why, in the 1770s) any Black person, especially slaves, would fight for the American Patriots or for the British Loyalists. There were, of course, many different reasons but most boiled down to fighting for their freedom or believing in the republican principles of liberty and equality. Many enslaved Blacks (on both sides) were promised their freedom. During that time, blacks served as soldiers, spies, guides and messengers. Yet free and enslaved Africans were not initially welcomed to join the Americans. In fact, General George Washington fervently refused to recruit Blacks into the Continental Army and actually took steps to keep them out. In fact, General Washington, in 1775, issued an order to army recruiters, ordering them not to enroll "any deserter from the Ministerial army, nor any stroller, negro or vagabond". That was not his highest moment. But he eventually was forced to accept Blacks into the army when the British general granted freedom to all slaves willing to serve the British forces.

Still, there were many Blacks who served with distinction and honor. Crispus Attucks (hopefully, this is a familiar name), a runaway slave was one of the first people killed by the British in 1770, which was a major step towards Revolution. That is a long story, which I won’t go into right now, but he died in the Boston Massacre and was viewed as a martyr by both whites and Blacks at the time and still is today as well. In fact, a Crispus Attucks Monument was erected in Boston.

Peter Salem was also a man that served with honor and distinction for the Americans during the Revolution. He was a true hero at the battle of Bunker Hill. Salem was a slave whose owner allowed him to join the militiamen. At the famous Battle of Bunker Hill, the Americans were just about to surrender when Salem stepped forward and shot and killed the commander of the British forces. After that heroic feat, the Americans gained renewed energy and eventually won that important battle. Because of his courage under fire, Salem was put on a postage stamp, but not until in 1968. Better late than never!

In total, more than 5,000 Blacks fought on the American side during the Revolutionary War. There is no denying that African Americans made substantial contributions to the victory that created the United States of America.

There are a lot more wars and experiences to discuss so let’s move on. This is the beginning of a long and continuing story of African Americans serving in the armed forces.

But since this is a wiki history lecture, we will not discuss the African American presence every U.S. war—that would take a very long time—so we will focus on the important or recurrent themes that marked the military experience for African Americans. And we would be remiss in failing to mention a few special people and mi...

Next Episode

Wiki History: Blacks in the Military 3 (The Movies)

The African American experience has become a popular topic in the movies. From examining slavery to civil rights and beyond, African American history is being shown on the big screen in authentic, sensitive, and compelling manner. One aspect of the African American experience takes place in the military.

African Americans have fought or served in the military during every American war. This experience has differed from war to war and person to person. Yet there is a connection between the experiences and stories. Some have been positive and courageous. Others have shown discrimination and discouragement. Yet they are all facets of the African American experience and have been shown in movies. Here are some of the best movies showing different aspects of the African American experience in the armed forces.

Glory (1989)

This is the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, which was the first all African American army platoon. The setting of the story is the Civil War. President Lincoln is on the verge of signing the Emancipation Proclamation when the troop is formed. Initially, the troop is given only menial jobs, which causes much frustration. The film’s major highlight is the troop’s deployment to South Carolina and attack on Fort Wagner. The movie shows the determination of the Black soldiers to fight for their country and freedom, the discrimination that they endured, and the varied backgrounds of the Black union soldiers. One of the most interesting and powerful soldiers was Private Trip (played by Denzel Washington who received an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role). Excellent early U.S. history film about the Civil War, slavery, and the country as it approached abolition.

The Walking Dead (1995)

This movie is a fictionalized account of the experience of four black marines in the Vietnam War. The marines had been sent on a mission to rescue prisoners of war in an enemy camp. Most of the platoon had been decimated upon landing behind enemy lines. However, these four men survived. The movie follows their lives after they return home. Each man is a distinct and strong personality. Each had a personal reason for joining the military. Well-written and illuminating, everyone will relate to (at least one) of the men and circumstances. This movie also takes the viewer through a wide range of emotions. The flashbacks are neatly cut into the story. Sometimes heavy, occasionally humorous, but primarily absorbing, The Walking Dead is a lesser-known movie about an important time in U.S. history.

Tuskegee Airmen (1995)

This fictionalized HBO television movie is about the work and exploits of the real-life Tuskegee Airmen who were the first African American combat pilots. The airmen (known as Red Tails because of the red stripe on their planes) acted as escort planes for the White pilots in World War II. The movie shows the difficulties and triumphs, racism and ignorance, and growth and heroism of both black and white airmen. An interesting (and rarely seen) event in the movie shows the Congressional hearings about whether to continue to Tuskegee airmen “experiment” in light of the bigoted research, which concluded “Negroes are incapable of handling complex machinery.” This excellent movie is worth the effort to see because of the excellent performances, particularly by Laurence Fishburne, and its glimpse into an important part event in African American and military history.

Buffalo Soldiers (1997)

This television movie brings to life the story of the Buffalo soldiers. Although the movie is a fictionalized story, the buffalo soldiers were a completely real (and often forgotten) part of American history. Formed by Congressional Act in 1866, the Buffalo Soldiers were six African American military (4 infantry and 2 cavalry) units. They were charged with protecting the settlers as they moved westward. They also built infrastructure in the west. But the Buffalo Soldiers also fought many battles in the post-Civil War period. This movie shows the hunt for the Apache leader, Victorio. With a talented cast led by Danny Glover, Buffalo Soldiers is an excellent movie that brings the reconstruction period to life and reveals the lives of one group of newly freed slaves. The Buffalo Soldier regiment was deactivated in 1944.

Men of Honor (2000)

This is the true story about Carl Brashear, who became the first African American master diver in the U.S. Navy. Brashear (played by Cuba Gooding, Jr.) left Kentucky and life as a sharecropper in 1948 to join the Navy where he was first assigned to menial jobs. Later, he showed an affinity for diving and worked hard to pass the written and physical tests to train as a master diver. Along the way, he faces racism from many different fronts. He also encounters people who join his struggle, particularly his senior officer played by Robert DeNiro. This was one of the stand up and cheer...