10 Black Military Service Members Who Changed History

Memorial Day began in the mid-1800s as a way to honor the people who died in the American Civil War. The earliest Memorial Day celebration ever recorded was organized by Black Americans in Charleston, South Carolina in May 1865.

Local reports from The New York Tribune and The Charleston Courier at the time recorded that the community gave fallen Black Union soldiers a proper burial, erecting a brand new cemetery for the Black troops who’d previously been harshly buried in a mass grave. On May 1, 1865, a massive crowd of 10,000 mostly formerly enslaved African Americans threw a parade in their honor, thus beginning a long-standing tradition within the Black community. 

Throughout American history, Black military service members have faced racism and bigotry while exemplifying bravery. This Memorial Day, the Black Information Network remembers the Black history origins of this hallowed day and raises the names and stories of 10 Black service members who changed history.

Doris Miller — Pearl Harbor

Doris Miller was a cook in the Navy during World War II who bravely went to the main deck to fight off bombers during the Pearl Harbor attack. Miller was later killed in action and became the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross, the branch's highest decoration of honor in combat after the Medal of Honor.

Alwyn Cashe — War in Iraq

Alwyn Cashe was a Sgt. 1st Class in the United States Army who demonstrated unwavering bravery by diving into a burning vehicle to rescue his team of soldiers while sustaining injuries himself. Cashe later died from the burns he sustained from his actions and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in Iraq. He was the first Black recipient of the honor since 9/11.

Harlem Hellfighters —World War I

The 369th Infantry Regiment also known as the Harlem Hellfighters, was a group of Black soldiers who fought during World War I. The group made history as the infantry unit that spent the most time in combat than any other American unit.

6888th Battalion —War World II

The 6888th Battalion was the only all-Black, all-female battalion sent overseas during World War II. The battalion's 855 members helped solve a growing mail crisis by setting up a central post and getting critical information flowing throughout Europe during the war. Congress recently voted to award the Battalion with the Congressional Gold Medal for their historic service.

Staff Sgt. Ruben Rivers & Patton’s Panthers — World War II

Amid worries about sending Black soldiers overseas to fight during World War II, the Army's 761st Tank Battalion — known as Patton's Panthers — stepped up and quashed doubts. The infantry was critical to helping along the western front, and its fighters earned reputations of being fierce. One such soldier was Staff Sgt. Ruben Rivers who, despite suffering a leg injury after hitting a mine with his tank, put himself in harm's way to protect his fellow soldiers who were retreating from German advances. Rivers was killed and action and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by former President Bill Clinton.

Oleta Crain— World War II

Oleta Crain was one of just three Black women selected to enter officer training during World War II. Crain would go on to be the only Black officer kept on by the military after the war and made a career of advancing opportunities in the Army for people of all races and genders.

Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence Joel —Vietnam War

Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence Joel was a part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade during the Vietnam War. Joel showed extreme bravery on the battlefield, completing his duties as a medic despite being under heavy fire and even after running out of medical supplies throughout the 24-hour battle. Joel received the Silver Star and Medal of Honor, becoming at the time, the first living African American to receive it since the Spanish American War in 1868.

Crispus Attucks — American Revolution

Crispus Attucks was a formerly enslaved sailor who is considered the first American to die during the American Revolution in the late 1700s. Historical records indicate Attucks stood up to British soldiers who had harassed a group of Boston colonists and was among five others killed during the dispute. Attucks became a symbol of civil rights and a martyr in American history.

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. — World War II

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. founded and commanded the famous Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Davis Jr. is the son of Benjamin Davis, Sr., the first Black Army General, and had fought in three wars before the group of Black pilots was assembled and fought. The group's 1945 escort mission to Berlin is still considered legendary as they did not lose any friendly bombers.

Hazel Johnson-Brown — US Army Nurse Corps

Hazel Johnson-Brown was a nurse and educator who served in the US Army from 1955 to 1983. She made history in 1979, becoming the first Black female general in the US Army and the first Black chief of the US Army Nurse Corps. In her career, she also served as the Nursing Director of Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing.

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