Existing comment:
1948 Executive Order 9981
On 26 July, President Harry Truman issues Executive Order 9981 to establish equality of treatment and opportunity in the Armed Services "without regard to race ,color, religion or national origin." The Army plans to maintain segregated units, but in 1951, demands for manpower in the Korean War prompts General Matthew B. Ridgway, commander of the Eighth Army, to integrate African Americans. His actions lead to complete integration of the Army. At the end of 1951, all units in Korea were desegregated, and by 1954 there were no major segregated units in the Army. |