We are at an all-time high of African-Americans serving at the three-star level, [including two] women. In my thirty-seven years in uniform, I don’t recall that many African-Americans at that most senior level
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. – Harry S. Truman, Executive Order 9981.
July 26, 1948 saw a landmark event in U.S. military history, President Harry Truman’s signing of Executive Order (EO) 9981 directing the desegregation of the armed forces. Preceding the Civil Rights Act by more than a decade, this Executive Order was a groundbreaker — recognizing both the exemplary performance of African-Americans during World War II and their acceptance by white officers.
This podcast is the first of two commemorating the seventieth anniversary of EO 9981 and its influence over the U.S. armed forces today. WAR ROOM welcomes Major General William Walker, Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard, who shares how integrating the armed forces opened doors for him and other African-Americans. U.S. Army War College Professor of Leadership and Cultural Studies Chuck Allen moderates.
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Major General William Walker is the Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard. Charles Allen is Professor of Leadership and Cultural Studies at the U.S. Army War College. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense.
Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by T. Anthony Bell, Fort Lee Public Affairs
Other posts in the “Anniversaries” series:
- OUR 300th FREAKIN’ EPISODE!
- EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981 AT 70: WHAT INTEGRATION MEANS FOR TODAY’S MILITARY (RE-RELEASE)
- EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981 AT 70: DESEGREGATING THE ARMED FORCES (RE-RELEASE)
- THE DODO’S PROBLEM (AND THE REASON FOR WAR ROOM) – THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
- EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981 AT 70: WHAT INTEGRATION MEANS FOR TODAY’S MILITARY
- EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981 AT 70: DESEGREGATING THE ARMED FORCES
- LOOKING TO THE PAST TO CHANGE THE FUTURE
- REMEMBERING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
- A ZOMBIE ALLIANCE OR ALLIANCE AGAINST ZOMBIES? NATO AT 70 YEARS
- REFLECTIONS ON THE HUE CITY MASSACRE
