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Thesis
Path to Executive Order 9981
1. Civil War to WWII2. Executive Order 88023. Double V Campaign4. Racial Violence At Home5. To Secure These Rights
Executive Order 9981
6. Why Executive Order 99817. Passing of Executive Order 99818. Fahy Committee - Oversee successful integration of the U.S. Armed Services
Breaking Barriers
9. Integrating the U.S. Armed Services10. Desegregation of U.S. Armed Services Accomplished11. Reactions to Executive Order 9981
10. Significance of EO 9981
Resources
Annotated BibliographyProcess Paper

Integration of the U.S. Armed Services

After Executive Order 9981, African Americans were integrated with white crew members, and stewards now had the same ratings as petty officers. By June 1949, one year later, the Air Force opened all jobs and schools to African American airmen. Eight months later the Air Force announced that 75% of the 25,000 African Americans in the Air Force had been transferred to integrated units. The Army flatly opposed the change, with Secretary of the Army Kenneth Royall going so far as to state in 1949 that the army “was not an instrument for social evolution”. Eventually in January 1950 the Army announced that African American soldiers could qualify for all army jobs and schools. The Army dropped its 10% ceiling on the recruitment of black soldiers in 1950. In 1951, the Marine Corps announced a policy of racial integration. By 1953, 95% of African-American soldiers were serving in integrated units.


"Press Release by Fahy Committee, May 22, 1950, Desegregation of the Armed Forces," https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/research-files/press-release-fahy-committee?documentid=NA&pagenumber=1

When the Army was hesitant to implement Executive Order 9981, a few studies were conducted to gauge the effectiveness. Studies showed that inclusion does improve the effectiveness of the Armed Forces, contrary to popular beliefs.

"U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Edward Williams of St. Louis, exchanges a hearty handshake with his Commander-in-Chief, President Harry S. Truman, Oct. 13, 1950, at a casual meeting during the President's morning walk. Williams had been in the Air Force nine years at the time of this photograph." (Truman Presidential Library)

The Executive Order's integration of the Armed Forces shows that when "racist ideas of discrimination, injustice, and inequality are stripped away, institutions can be strengthened."

"President Harry S. Truman (front row, fifth from right) and Secretary of the Army Frank Pace (front row, fourth from right) with members of the integrated 82nd Airborne in the Rose Garden behind the White House in February, 1951." (Truman Presidential Library, 63-1162-05)