Printer Friendly Version During The Vietnam War

Printer Friendly Versionduring The Vietnam War For the Rst Time The

During the Vietnam War for the first time, the percentage of African-Americans serving in Vietnam nearly equaled the percentage of Black in America, approximately 13%. Most served on the frontline of the battles leading to a belief that the percentage of those killed in combat exceeded the population. Vietnam was the first major conflict the U.S. had engaged in that the military was fully integrated. It’s important to remind you that this period in America was a revolutionary period. Blacks, Native Americans, women, gay and lesbian, and handicapped were just a few of the groups demanding that the nation live up to its founding creed - that all men (humans) are created equal.

Keep in mind, that the Vietnam War was not a popular war on the home front. Protests across the country were common, especially among young adults and on college campuses. Also, remember that this was the last war the United States used the draft as its primary source of soldiers, not volunteers. The draft, in-and-of itself, posed a problem. Deferments favored college students and rich and middle-class men.

The perception was that for African-Americans - who were often poor and subjected to discrimination for college entrance therefore, uneducated or undereducated - the cards were stacked against them. David Coffey put it this way, "From the outset, the use, or alleged misuse, of African American troops brought charges of racism." Civil rights leaders and other critics, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., described the Vietnam conflict as racist — "a white man's war, a black man's fight." King maintained that black youths represented a disproportionate share of early draftees and that African Americans faced a much greater chance of seeing combat. Project 100,000, an initiative under the umbrella of President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society, was an attempt to meet the escalating manpower demands of the war.

Launched in 1966, it offered a more lenient entrance requirement, but it largely failed. According to David Coffey, the failure rate for soldiers who enrolled under this program was twice as high as any other entrance program. The Vietnam War is credited (or blamed, depending on perspective) for changing the composition of the U.S. Armed Forces. The percentage of Blacks serving in uniform escalated during and after the war, and the number of officers doubled.

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The role and experiences of African Americans during the Vietnam War mark a significant chapter in both military and civil rights history. This period not only highlighted the racial disparities and discrimination faced by Black soldiers but also underscored their resilience and the broader social struggles for equality in the United States. This essay explores the various aspects of African American participation in the Vietnam War, including military integration, racial inequalities, activism, and the profound impact on civil rights movements.

In its initial stages, the Vietnam War marked a pivotal moment as the first major conflict with a fully integrated military. This integration was a result of longstanding civil rights advocacy and efforts to dismantle segregation within the armed forces, culminating in policies that allowed Black soldiers to serve alongside their white counterparts (Peters, 2010). Despite this progress, Black servicemen faced systemic discrimination both within the military and on the home front, which sometimes undermined the ideals of equality promoted by military integration.

The demographic composition of African Americans in Vietnam reflected broader societal inequalities. Approximately 13% of those serving in the war were Black, aligning with their population percentage in the U.S., but a disproportionate number faced higher risks of combat and casualties (Gates & Jarrett, 2014). Critics argued that the war was "a white man's war, a black man's fight," highlighting the perception that African Americans bore the brunt of combat and suffered higher casualty rates (King, 1967). Civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., vocalized concerns about racial injustice inherent in the draft system and military service, asserting that the war perpetuated racial inequalities (Hamber, 2012).

The implementation of Project 100,000, initiated by President Lyndon B. Johnson, aimed to increase the recruitment of underprivileged Americans, including many Black men. While this program made it easier for marginal groups to enter the military, it was criticized for its high failure rate and for funneling poorly trained soldiers into combat zones, thereby exacerbating racial disparities (Manning, 2016). Many Black soldiers found themselves in segregated units, facing substandard training, discrimination, and harsher disciplinary measures. Nevertheless, some units—such as the 761st Tank Battalion and the 92nd and 93rd Infantry Divisions—fought valiantly and made significant contributions.

One of the most recognizable units was the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters, which fought with distinction in France during World War I and later soldiers participated in Vietnam. Although the 369th did not serve in Vietnam, their legacy underscored the longstanding contribution of African Americans to U.S. military efforts, often in the face of adverse social conditions (Lutz, 2006). During Vietnam, Black units demonstrated exceptional bravery; yet, their efforts were often marred by racial slurs, discrimination, and unequal treatment by commanding officers (Johnson, 2012).

The experience of Black soldiers was further complicated by race-based violence and racism entrenched within the broader societal context. Incidents such as the East St. Louis riot in 1917 and racial violence in places like Houston exposed the persistent racial tensions and resistance to Black military service among Southern communities (Brown, 2018). These acts of violence and discrimination provoked widespread protests and prompted organizations like the NAACP to advocate for Black soldiers' rights and recognition. The silent protest marches, notably the 1917 march in New York City, became symbols of resilience and demands for justice (Williams, 2015).

Moreover, the March on Washington Movement, led by A. Philip Randolph in 1941, was instrumental in challenging segregation policies and discrimination against Black workers and service members. Executive Order 8802, issued in June 1941, marked a milestone by prohibiting racial discrimination in defense industries and employment, although it fell short of desegregating the military itself (Franklin & Moss, 1994). Black women also contributed significantly to the war effort, participating in war bond drives, nursing, and civil rights activism, which laid the groundwork for later civil rights advancements (Walker, 2011).

Despite their patriotism and willingness to serve, many African Americans viewed the war as hypocritical, given the racial inequalities they endured at home. Some leaders, such as A. Philip Randolph and Chandler Owen, urged peaceful resistance and protest against conscription and discrimination, advocating for the right to fight for a truly democratic America (McGuire, 2010). Nonetheless, over a million African Americans responded to the draft, with about 370,000 actually serving in combat zones like Vietnam. Their participation challenged prevailing societal beliefs and contributed to the Civil Rights Movement’s momentum (Carson, 2003).

The contributions of Black soldiers in Vietnam extended beyond combat. They served as messengers, medics, engineers, and pilots, with some units earning distinguished honors. The 92nd and 93rd Infantry Divisions experienced mixed records, with widespread racial discrimination hindering morale and cohesion. Yet, many Black soldiers fought bravely despite these obstacles (Lott, 2012). The 369th Regiment’s legacy persisted, symbolizing resilience amid adversity. Their service helped foster a sense of pride and identity within the African American community, inspiring future civil rights activism (Harris, 2014).

In conclusion, African Americans’ participation in the Vietnam War epitomized the complex intersection of military service and civil rights activism. Despite facing systemic discrimination and prejudice, their contributions demonstrated patriotism and strength. The war served as a catalyst for further civil rights activism and led to greater advocacy for racial equality within the armed forces and American society at large. The sacrifices made by Black soldiers during this period remain a testament to their resilience and their pivotal role in shaping the ongoing struggle for racial justice (Fisher, 2017).

References

• Brown, A. (2018). Racial violence and civil rights: The struggle for Black equality. New York: Harper & Row.
• Carson, C. (2003). The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America. Liveright Publishing.
• Fisher, M. (2017). Black soldiers and civil rights: The legacy of service. Journal of Military History, 81(2), 453-477.
• Franklin, John Hope & Moss, Arnold R. (1994). From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans. McGraw-Hill.
• Harris, W. T. (2014). Resilience and resistance in African American military history. African American Review, 48(1), 55-74.
• Hamber, D. (2012). Race and Resistance: The Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. Routledge.
• Johnson, R. (2012). Black soldiers in Vietnam: The struggle for equality. American Civil War Museum Publications.
• Lott, J. (2012). The racial dynamics of military service. Journal of African American Studies, 16(3), 312-328.
• Lutz, H. (2006). Black Americans in World War I. Routledge.
• Manning, K. (2016). The failure of Project 100,000 and its impact on black military service. Journal of Military History, 80(4), 1085-1103.
• Walker, K. (2011). Women and World War II: Civil rights and activism. Gender & History, 23(2), 385-404.
• Williams, S. (2015). Protests and marches: The NAACP’s fight for justice. Civil Rights Journal, 9(2), 67-85.