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African Americans After Ww2 Essay

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In World War II, the U.S. war effort was determined to defeat fascism and to defend freedom. For black Americans, freedom in its fullest form was an ideal that was desired not only abroad, but on the home front as well. Even though in the U.S., many blacks were treated as second-class citizens, black Soldiers still served unyieldingly for their country. World War II marked the beginning of the end for segregated black military units. Progress was made in the struggle for equality both in the U.S. and abroad, although there was still a long way to go when the war ended.(--) African Americans were accepted into the Army Air Corps and the Marine Corps, and commanded naval vessels and proved once again that they had bravery and competence in combat. The end came slowly and full integration would not come until the Korean conflict. World War II marked a positive turning point in the integration of African Americans. The change came as a result of thousands of white and black Americans being forced to work side by side within a military …show more content…

This awareness set the stage for later civil rights movements.(--) Thousands of African Americans participated in World War II as soldiers, sailors, and Marines in hundreds of regiments, …show more content…

13, 1941, the U.S. Army established the 78th Tank Battalion, the first black armor unit. The tankers reported to Fort Knox, Ky., to begin armored warfare training in March 1941. The 78th was redesignated on May 8, 1941, as the 758th Tank Battalion.(--) It was the first of three tank battalions comprising the 5th Tank Group, which was made up of black enlisted men and white officers. The other two tank battalions were the 761st and 784th. Initially inactivated at Viareggio, Italy, Sept. 22, 1945, the 758th was reactivated in 1946 and later fought in the Korean War as the 64th Tank

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