Buffalo Soldiers in the 1940s

The 1940s was another decade dominated by war. Over 2.5 million African American men registered for the draft in World War Two. Over 1 million African Americans served in the armed forces, including African American women who served in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC); Army Nurse Corps; Navy and Coast Guard Units.

On the battlefield, African Americans served with distinction in the air, on land and on the seas. Seven African American soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for their military actions by President Bill Clinton on January 7, 1997.