Introduction

A Heroic Transformation:
From Military to Community Service

By Gail Lumet Buckley

Black patriots have been bearing arms for America since the beginning of our country’s history. Even when they were not treated with the respect and honor they deserved, black patriots loved, supported and defended their country. In going to war, African Americans believed they could both better their own lives and make their country true to its promise.

The history that was made on the battlefields by loyal black heroes has been carried over into civilian life. From the Revolution onward, black veterans have effected change in their communities; usually by means of civic leadership, community service or civil rights activism.

Looking back, the history of African Americans in the military is vast. While there are many sad, unfortunate stories, there are also stories of tremendous honor and courage. Black minutemen, slave and free, were at Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill. Black oarsmen crossed the Delaware, and black foot soldiers starved at Valley Forge. Midway through the Revolution, some 15 percent of the Continental Army, which George Washington called his “mixed multitude,” was black. All the heroes of the Revolution, white and black, were founders of our nation. Many became community heroes later in their lives, including ex-Revolutionary powder boy James Forten, who became an important abolitionist and community leader in Philadelphia.

In 1820, despite black heroism in the War of 1812, Southern pressure barred blacks from military service. Some 40 years later, African Americans were welcomed into the Union Army by Abraham Lincoln and began earning Medals of Honor for their exemplary service.

54th Massachusetts Regiment Sergeant William Carney became a role model for youth and the first African American winner of the new Congressional Medal of Honor. Twenty other black servicemen won Medals of Honor in the Civil War, and 23 black soldiers won Medals of Honor in the Indian Wars and the Spanish-American War.