Wanting a chance, dying to serve

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  • By AFNEWS
  • Electronic News Branch
African Americans have served in every American war, starting with the Revolutionary War. As a matter of fact, military service has been a powerful weapon in the pursuit of
social improvement for individuals and African Americans as a group. But it has not been easy. 

In 1866, the United States congress established an army to take on the challenges of
the westward expansion of the country. Parts of that army were the 9th and 10th Cavalries and the 24th and 25th Infantries. These units were comprised of black soldiers who later gained fame as the Buffalo Soldiers. 

In 1876, the 10th Cavalry received an officer named 2nd Lt. Henry Flipper. He was the first African American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. During his four years at West Point, he was given the silent treatment. None of the other cadets spoke to him except in the performance of official duties. But Flipper was determined to weather all challenges. 

He stated that he and other black cadets wanted "to be left alone to our own resources
for study and improvement, for enjoyment in whatever way we chose to seek it ... we care not for social recognition. We did not expect it." 

Flipper persevered at West Point; he endured unfair treatment on active duty that eventually led to his discharge from the Army. He went on to a successful career in mining and surveying. 

In January 1941, the Army announced the formation of its first all black air corps unit,
the 99th Pursuit Squadron. These men would become fighter pilots. Many consider this to be the most challenging type of military flying. 

An army airfield in Tuskegee, Ala., became the center for training these black pilots, and they became known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The activity at Tuskegee was first called an experiment because there were many who believed that blacks didn't have the "right
stuff" to fly and be fighter pilots. 

But the Tuskegee Airmen proved them wrong. They never lost a bomber they were escorting to enemy fire. 

The Tuskegee Airmen fought for the right to fly. They fought for the right to deploy to Europe. And they fought for the right to engage in combat. 

People pause each year in February to celebrate African American history. But everyone has a history. This is a glimpse into African American history and the institutional history of the military. 

However, the dignity of the human spirit and human potential are really the true lessons of history. It can be a lesson that allows every person to see the shoulders on which they stand. (Courtesy of Air Force Print News)