WWI African American Soldiers at Camp

African Americans served in World War I, playing significant roles both at home and abroad, despite the pervasive racial segregation and discrimination of the era. Their participation in the war effort was a critical chapter in the history of African Americans in the military and had lasting implications for the civil rights movement.

Over 350,000 African Americans served in the U.S. armed forces during World War I, in a segregated military that reflected the Jim Crow laws and racial attitudes of early 20th century America. They were enlisted in all branches of the armed forces, but the majority served in the Army. The U.S. military created separate African American units, most notably the 92nd and 93rd Infantry Divisions. These divisions were primarily composed of African American soldiers, although they were often led by white officers.

The 369th Infantry Regiment, known famously as the "Harlem Hellfighters," was part of the 93rd Division and one of the most renowned African American units. The Harlem Hellfighters spent more time in front-line trenches than any other American unit and earned a unit-wide Croix de Guerre, a prestigious French military decoration, for their bravery. Despite their valor and the significant contributions of other African American units, they faced discrimination and were often relegated to non-combat roles, such as labor or service battalions. These roles included logistical support tasks like building roads, unloading ships, and burying the dead.

African Americans also served in the Navy and the Marines, though in much smaller numbers, and often in segregated units or in limited roles. In the Navy, they were mostly assigned to messman duties, which involved serving food to officers and crew. The Marines enlisted a small number of African Americans, who were primarily used in non-combat roles.

The service of African Americans in World War I was a watershed moment in the struggle for civil rights. It highlighted the paradox of fighting for democracy abroad while being denied rights at home. The experience of serving in the war, coupled with the expectations for greater civil rights, contributed to the rise of the New Negro Movement of the 1920s, which later evolved into the Civil Rights Movement. The courage and determination shown by African American soldiers during World War I helped to challenge stereotypes and laid the groundwork for future battles for equality and integration within the military and American society at large.