Minnesota National Guard Honors Black History Month

Black History is American History. The history of Black Americans in the Minnesota National Guard is influenced by a larger history of Black Americans in the United States.

Through the course of our American history, Black Americans have endured racism and social injustice in all aspects of life. However, Black Americans have continually volunteered and fought bravely in service to the nation.

Black Americans fought for the freedom of the United States as early as the formation of the country. In the Revolutionary war, both slaves and free Blacks fought for the Continental Army when General George Washington lifted the ban on black enlistment in 1776.

In the American Civil War, Black Americans continued to face discrimination and continued to serve. Even through obstacles of less-equipped, segregated units, and reduced pay, Black Americans led some of the most noteworthy campaigns of the war.

Following the Civil War, Black Americans continued to serve through hardships from their fellow troops in wars including the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. Through these wars, famous Black Units fought bravely and made names for themselves. Among these troops are the Buffalo Soldiers who led the across the Great Plains in the Indian Wars, and the Tuskegee Airmen who fought in World War II as the 332d Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps.

In 1948, President Harry Truman ordered the integration and equal opportunity of all troops, however segregation carried on into the Korean War.

Today, Black Americans serve in many capacities in the Minnesota National Guard as well as the United States Military. Though Black Guardsmen face challenges created by our nation’s history, they continually work with all other races in the Guard to ensure that the only colors of the Soldiers and Airmen of our organization are green and blue.

By Cpl Joe Roos, Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs
2/8/07