Throughout the nation's history, African-Americans have served in uniform with honor and distinction during times of war and peace. As a result of their sacrifices and intrepid spirits, today's highly capable and mission-ready Army leverages the strength of a all-volunteer force that includes more than 103,000 African-American soldiers.
Here’s look back at those brave soldiers who broke barriers, saved lives and paved the way for today's force.
James Armistead Lafayette
Born into slavery, Lafayette served the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War as a double agent. The trust he earned from British Gen. Charles Cornwallis and Benedict Arnold allowed him to gain access and pass information that would lead to an American victory at the Battle of Yorktown.
Despite his bravery in service, as a spy he wasn't eligible for emancipation under the Act of 1783 for enslaved soldiers. However, with the help of the Marquis de Lafayette, who was his commander during the war, he petitioned for his freedom, which was granted in 1787.
Sgt. William Carney
After being shot in the thigh during the assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina, July 18, 1863, Carney crawled uphill on his knees bearing the Union flag, inspiring his fellow soldiers to follow and never allowing the flag to touch the ground. Although severely wounded, Carney would survive the war and finally receive the Medal of Honor, May 23, 1900. While he wasn't the first African-American to receive the medal -- Robert Blake, a sailor, was presented the medal in 1864 -- his actions were the earliest to merit the nation's highest military medal for valor.
Cathay Williams
Williams enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1866 under the pseudonym William Cathay, serving with distinction until a medical discharge in 1868.
Col. Charles Young
Young was the third African-American to graduate and receive a commission as a second lieutenant from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1889. He was the last to do so until Benjamin O. Davis Jr. in 1936, and the first to advance to the rank of colonel in the regular Army. In addition to assignments with the 9th and 10th Cavalry as a platoon leader and troop commander, Young commanded an all-black squadron of volunteer cavalry during the Spanish-American War and 2nd Squadron of the 10th U.S. Cavalry during the Mexican Expedition of 1916-17. After his promotion to colonel, he commanded Camp Grant, where he supervised the training of African-American recruits during World War I.
In the course of his distinguished career, he also served as a park superintendent when the Army administered national parks, as a professor of military science at Wilberforce University in Ohio, and as a military attaché at different times to Haiti, and twice to Liberia. He passed away of natural causes at Legos, Nigeria, in 1923. After his remains were repatriated to the United States, he was buried with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
The Harlem Hellfighters
The 369th Infantry Regiment, "The Harlem Hellfighters," was the first African-American regiment to serve with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. The regiment served on the front lines for 191 days, longer than any other American unit in the war, and was the first unit to cross the Rhine River into Germany. In all that time, the unit never lost a prisoner or gave up any ground it captured.
Benjamin O. Davis Jr.
Following his father’s legacy, Davis Jr. graduated from West Point and rose to general officer rank in the U.S. Air Force through skill and leadership. His achievements as a Tuskegee Airman exemplified warfighting prowess and dedication.
Freddie Stowers, Henry Johnson
It wasn't until 1991 that Stowers would be posthumously awarded the medal -- 73 years after he was killed in action while leading an assault on German trenches in World War I. Johnson would receive the Medal of Honor in 2015, 85 years after his death, for his heroic actions fighting against a German raiding party during that same war.
Vernon Baker
In 1993, after a thorough records review for overlooked acts of merit, seven soldiers, including Baker, received the Medal of Honor for their actions during World War II. Baker was the only living recipient, as the six other soldiers were killed in action or died in the more than 50 years since the war ended.
The 761st Tank Battalion
The 761st Tank Battalion entered combat in World War II, earning 11 Silver Stars, 69 Bronze Stars, about 300 Purple Hearts, and a Medal of Honor.
The 555th Parachute Infantry
Not only were the members of the 555th Parachute Infantry the U.S. Army's first African-American paratroopers, but they were also some of the nation's first airborne firefighters. The soldiers were detailed to the U.S. Forest Service in 1945 as part of Operation Firefly, which was a joint military-civilian effort to combat wildfire threats from Japanese incendiary bombs that landed from Canada to Mexico and as far east as Idaho. During Operation Firefly, the 555th had 36 fire missions, which included 1,200 individual jumps.
Sgt. Cornelius Charlton, Pfc. William Henry Thompson
Sgt. Cornelius Charlton and Pfc. William Henry Thompson served with the 24th Infantry Regimen. Each man received the Medal of Honor for separate actions that resulted in their deaths while saving others. Charlton took charge of his platoon while wounded and destroying a Chinese mortar position, saving much of his unit. Thompson, a machine gunner, maintained his position in the face of a heavy North Korean assault, covering the retreat of his unit until he was killed by a grenade.
(Compiled by Carrie McLeroy, Army Media, Defense Media Activity, from documents provided by the U.S. National Archives, the Army Historical Foundation, the U.S. Army Center of Military History, the U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration, and the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.)