Double Victory: The African American Military Experience conveys a sense of appreciation and respect for the military service of African Americans from the American Revolution to the War on Terror.
About the Exhibition
- When: Ongoing
- Where: Level 3 (L3), General Colin L. Powell Gallery
- Guest Curator: Krewasky Salter
It establishes an understanding that the African American military experience shapes opportunities for the greater community and has profoundly shaped the nation.
In choosing to serve in the military, African Americans sought to have their service understood by the nation as a demand for liberty and citizenship. African American men and women who engaged in the military made their service useful not only for the good of their country, but to benefit both their personal lives and their community.
General Colin L. Powell Gallery
In September 2022, the military history gallery was named the General Colin L. Powell Gallery in honor of General Powell’s lifelong service to the United States as well as his long-standing support of the museum.
General Powell was the first African American to serve as Secretary of State and the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to earn his commission through the ROTC. Throughout his military and political careers, he advised numerous presidential administrations and greatly impacted domestic and foreign policy. General Powell was highly decorated as both a soldier and civilian, with domestic and foreign awards including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the Legion of Honour from France, and the Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) from Great Britain.
General Powell joined NMAAHC in 2010 as a founding Council member and served on the museum’s advisory board for more than a decade. In addition to generous financial contributions, General Powell, his wife, Alma, and their children have also donated over 100 objects to the museum representing Powell’s life and military service. Many of these objects are currently on view in the Double Victory exhibition.
Journey Through the Exhibition
Double Victory Storylines
Medal of Honor Lens
The Medal of Honor Lens addresses the Medals of Honor awarded to African Americans and interprets what it means to be a Medal of Honor recipient, what is life after the Medal of Honor, and issues of racial biasness in awarding the Medal of Honor. The locations of African American Medal of Honor recipients buried in Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) are offered so visitors can visit the cemetery.