On this day in 1948, former President Harry S. Truman issued an executive order to desegregate America’s military forces declaring, “there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin.”
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Many Black people who were migrating North from the South joined the armed forces but some were still met with resistance. It wasn’t until the end of Korean War that the Army was completely integrated, per The National Archives. During that war, former U.S. Representative Charles Rangel had been fought with the 2nd Infantry Division at 17 years old.
Rangel isn’t the only big name that decided to join the military. Music artists like MC Hammer and legendary actors like James Earl Jones decided to enlist back in the day before embarking on their career journey.
As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the integration of the country’s military, let celebrate these 20 Black celebrities who served the country.
Ice-T
The rapper-actor served four years in the Army’s 25th Infantry Division, according to Military.com.
Sidney Poitier
The actor enlisted in the Army at 16 years old where he was sent to a hospital to provide aid to the medical staff caring for mentally ill veterans, per Veterans Advantage.
Sheryl Underwood
The comedian joined the Air Force as a field medic and was deployed to West Germany and South Korea, per the DOD.
MC Hammer
The music legend joined the Navy and spent three years as an aviation storekeeper third class, per Military.com.
Jimi Hendrix
Hendrix had two options as a rebellious youth from Seattle: go to prison or join the Army. He chose the latter. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and was discharged after the first year of his three-year contract because he distressed the captain, according to Military.com.
Robin Quivers
Quivers was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force and served as a nurse. She transferred to the Air Force Reserve from her base in Texas, climbing to a captain and served there for over 10 years.
Marvin Gaye
The singer was 17 years old when he dropped out of high school to enlist in the Air Force, according to his bio in Medic in the Green Time. Though, he superiors considered him uncooperative and lackadaisical. He faked being mentally ill and was given a general discharge after one year.
Sinbad
The comedian joined the Air Force in 1979, according to Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs. It was there that he realized his passion for making people laugh, working as a comic for Tops in Blue, a touring performance ensemble of active-duty airmen. After he won the show Star Search in the late 80s, his comedy career took off and his military career came to a close.
Charles Rangel
The former New York U.S. Representative enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17 and fought in the Korean War, Korean War Legacy. He served in the 2nd Infantry Division and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for leading a troop out of the ambush of Chinese enemies. Rangel said that day was the worst day of his life but typically notes that he “hasn’t had a bad day since.”
Elgin Baylor
In the early 60s, the NBA star was on active duty in the U.S. Army at the same time he was competing in professional basketball, per NBA’s website. He was drafted despite being an inch short of the maximum height and color-blind. By the time basic training began, he couldn’t fit the military uniform and was moved to be an official military medic. His performance in basketball got him a granted leave to play for the Lakers and continual leave by an order signed by President JFK.
Shaggy
The reggae star left Jamaica to come to the US to pursue his music career at 18 years old, per Military.com. However, he joined the Marine Corps in 1988 after struggling to find work and fought in the Gulf War. He didn’t stay in the military much longer after that and went AWOL to pursue music seriously once he returned home.
Morgan Freeman
Freeman enlisted in the Air Force after high school and trained to be an automatic tracking radar repairman, per the Department of Defense.
Montel Williams
Williams served in the Marine Corps and graduated from the Naval Academy, serving 18 months in Guam as a cryptologist officer, per the DOD.
Sunny Anderson
The Food Network star was an Air Force broadcast journalist in Seoul, South Korea and worked for Air Force News Agency radio and television in San Antonio for five years, per DOD.
James Earl Jones
The legendary actor joined the Pershing Rifles Drill Team and Scabbard and Blade Honor Society in college. Then, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. Finally, Jones was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 38th Regimental Combat Team, per the DOD.
Jackie Robinson
Robinson, with the help of heavyweight champion Private Joe Louis, enrolled in the Officer’s Candidate School at Fort Riley and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. Also, he got arrested after refusing to sit on the back of the military bus, per the Airborne and Special Operations Museum website.
Harry Belafonte
The singer and activist joined the Navy during World War II and contributed to the war effort for a year, according to the DOD.
Mr. T
The pop culture sensation joined the Army National Guard just after the Vietnam War and later joined the Military Police corps rising to a squad leader at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, per Military.com.
Berry Gordy Jr.
The Motown Records founder enlisted in the Army and served in Korea for two years, per the Detroit Historical Society.
David Robinson
The NBA star enlisted in the US Naval Academy and achieved the rank of a Lieutenant, Junior Grade. After receiving his commission he was assigned to the Civil Engineering Corps, per the Defense Department.
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