African American World War II veterans who visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC will share a special recollection unique to their experience in the war. In addition to reminiscing about experiences on the front line facing the enemies without, they will certainly reflect on their experiences with more abstract opponents within -- segregation and discrimination. Despite not being afforded many of the rights at home that they fought for abroad, African American soldiers were among the many who gave their lives in service to their country. The war they waged on a daily basis was both internal and external and their victories on both accounts played a major role in changing America.

In WWII like all preceding battles in this country, African Americans soldiers participated in what was an exercise in irony. To the outside world, the United States armed forces were a unified body of diverse individuals united under our flag fighting to further our democratic interests around the world. The United States was determined to topple oppressive dictators who were subjecting millions of people to an unspeakable plight while African Americans suffered a similar plight domestically as a result of segregation.

In our vigor for victory, the Armed Forces in WWII opened their doors, albeit in a calculated way to African Americans, as had been the protocol in previous wars. Various reports estimate the number of African Americans who served in WWII at approximately 700,000 troops, which accounted for nearly 20% of the US forces in WWII. Although, we were united in battle, the policies of segregation, which African Americans faced in the states, followed them to the battlefields as well. African American soldiers were in many cases restricted in their areas of service despite exhibiting acumen in various aspects of battle. In addition, they were not privy to the same level of training of their white counterparts and were oftentimes forced into battle with substandard equipment. African American soldiers were peppered with the same racial slurs and epithets that were commonplace back home, from their fellow soldiers and officers.

Furthermore, the extent of racism was evident in the failure of the United States Government to bestow the prestigious Medal of Honor upon African American soldiers from both World Wars. In the midst of these circumstances, African Americans soldiers in WWII excelled in battle as had their brethren in previous wars. The legendary exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen, an elite group of decorated African American pilots who had an impressive battle record during World War II have been chronicled in books and in a recent movie honoring their legacy. Their leader, Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., was the first African American to rise to the rank of four-star general.

Other notable African American soldiers from WWII included Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers who despite being seriously wounded refused to evacuate his tank when his unit came under attack from French forces. Instead, his tank provided cover fire allowing the rest of his company to escape. Rivers was killed in this battle, but for his valor was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1997 along with six other African American soldiers from World War II.

The legacy of these and other African Americans soldiers in World Wars II and II went beyond their achievements in battle and begin to challenge the basis of segregation --- which was a widely held belief that African Americans were inferior to others. A strong case could be made that some of the greatest marches in the history of civil rights took place in the trenches of war when African Americans exhibited a patriotism, valor and bravery that called into question the basis of segregation in the states.

The achievements of these soldiers posed a quandary to those who promulgated segregation in America, “if we can effectively fight as one nation abroad; why can’t we live as one nation at home?” The ripple effect of African American soldiers’ contribution to our victory in World War II was a major factor leading to the groundbreaking Executive Order issued by President Harry S. Truman in 1948 establishing equality of treatment and opportunity in the Armed Services – which was an early victory in the battle for civil rights in this country.

The National WWII Memorial will continue to serve as a reminder of the patriotism exhibited by soldiers fighting for this country during a perilous time. As we reflect on their bravery and courage, we pay special tribute to the African American soldiers who fought on behalf of the US in battles abroad and in doing so paved the way for a future victory in the battle for civil rights for African Americans here in the states.


Alvin Williams is president and chief executive officer of Black America's Political Action Committee (BAMPAC).