Black History is rich with achievements that have shaped our society across various fields, including politics, arts, science, and social justice. The achievements of Black individuals throughout history transformed their communities and have had a great impact on the world. We celebrate these contributions.
African Americans in the Military – Black servicemembers have fought in every single conflict, including the American Revolution.
African Americans in the Revolutionary War African Americans have defended the nation since the Revolutionary War. Many, including the following men, were involved on both sides of that war.
Crispus Attucks: On March 5, 1770, Crispus Attucks and several other patriots from Boston, Massachusetts, protested the British curbing of civil liberties in their colony. During the scuffle with British soldiers, Attucks was the first to die. Although independence had not been officially declared, Attucks is considered the first casualty of the Revolutionary War. This fight is known as the Boston Massacre.
Peter Salem: Peter Salem was another patriot who fought alongside his former owners at the battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. He is credited with killing British Major John Pitcairn during the Battle of Bunker Hill. Salem was born a slave in Framingham, Massachusetts, on October 1, 1775. He was sold to Patriot soldier Major Lawson Buckminster, who emancipated him so he could enlist in his regiment of Massachusetts Minutemen. Salem received a commendation for his bravery at Bunker Hill.
Salem Poor: Salem Poor was another one of the African Americans who fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Poor was born around 1745. He was a slave owned by John Poor. Poor purchased his freedom in 1769, joining the Minutemen at Concord in 1775. He was commended for his bravery. Poor has been credited with killing British Lieutenant Colonel Abercrombie during the Battle of Bunker Hill. He died in Boston in 1802.
Important Facts about African Americans in the Military *As of 2020, African American soldiers comprised approximately 21% of the active-duty Army, 15% of the Army National Guard, and 21% of the Army Reserve. African Americans have served in the Army at a rate higher than their representation in the U.S. population.
*Among the first U.S. regiments to arrive in France during World War I was the 369th Infantry, an all-Black regiment known as the “Harlem Hellfighters” – a nickname given to them by Germans due to their fierce, relentless fighting. They fought in France for a total of 191 days, longer than any other American unit without having a soldier captured or losing a single trench.
*The 761st Tank Battalion, the first exclusively African American armored unit in the U.S. Army to fight during World War II, was also called “Patton’s Panthers”. In October 1944, they arrived in Normandy, France, entering combat quickly after landing. They fought for a record 183 straight days without being pulled for relief and liberated 30 towns.
*The first African American military aviators in the U.S. military – the Tuskegee Airmen, was comprised of fighter and bomber groups, including the 332nd Fighter Group (“Red Tails” – North American P-51 Mustangs), flew during World War II. They formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group (Medium) of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF).
Since the Revolutionary War, African Americans have served in some capacity in every U.S. conflict – nearly 200,000 during the Civil War and over one million during World War II. Overcoming segregation, they pioneered advancements and broke barriers in bravery and leadership. Their contributions to American society and history will never be forgotten.
Black History IS American History.
