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.

    Mary N. Elliot, Curator at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, explores the military service of African Americans – from the American Revolution to the War on Terror.

    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.

    Negroes and the War 1942

    Negroes and the War 1942

    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, in Memory of Eliot Elisofon

    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.

    Women in the Military 

    Getty Images/Grinberg, Paramount, Pathe Newsreels

    Exhibition Luminaries

    John Hanks Alexander

    John Hanks Alexander

    In 1887 he became the second African American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. This uniform belonged to 2nd Lt. John Hanks Alexander, who served in the 9th Cavalry on the western frontier for six years.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    Theophilus Gould Steward

    Black Chaplains

    From 1884 to World War I, five African American chaplains earned Regular Army commissions: Henry V. Plummer, Allen Allensworth, Theophilus G. Steward (pictured here), George W. Prioleau and William T. Anderson. They were accomplished men in their late thirties and forties (Plummer was 50) when they earned commissions. All were well educated and, with the exception of Steward, born into slavery. Plummer and Allensworth were Civil War veterans.

    (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress)
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    Henry Johnson and Needham Roberts

    Henry Johnson and Needham Roberts

    Among the first American heroes of World War I, Henry Johnson and Needham Roberts, were the first African American Croix de Guerre recipients for bravery in combat. The French commendation honoring the soldiers, in part translates: “a magnificent example of courage and energy.”

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    Lawrence McVey

    Lawrence McVey

    Lawrence McVey was among the soldiers in the 369th Infantry awarded this French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star for bravery in combat.

    (Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gina R. McVey, Granddaughter)
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    Major Charity Adams

    Major Charity Adams

    Maj. Charity Adams was the highest-ranking African American woman during World War II. Adams commanded the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, which ensured the delivery of U.S. mail to soldiers in the field.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    Benjamin O. Davis Sr.

    Benjamin O. Davis Sr.

    After more than 42 years of military service, Benjamin O. Davis became the first African American to earn the rank of general in the U.S. Army in 1940. He is seen here, Aug. 1944, in France. Despite discrimination, Davis persevered through 50 years of military service.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    Dorie Miller

    Dorie Miller

    Dorie Miller was a steward aboard the USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Like most African Americans in the Navy in 1941, Miller was not trained to fire Navy guns but likely received familiarization training on weapons. Miller shot down at least two Japanese aircraft during the attack, but did not survive the war.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    Mary McLeod Bethune

    Mary McLeod Bethune

    Educator Mary McLeod Bethune advised President Franklin Roosevelt and was a key advocate for African American service members.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    Medgar Evers

    Medgar Evers

    Like other black GIs, Evers refused to accept second-class status at home and became a leader in the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    Dovey Johnson Roundtree

    Dovey Johnson Roundtree

    World War II veteran Dovey Roundtree used her G.I. Bill to attend Howard Law School. In 1955 she won a landmark case ending racial segregation in interstate bus travel.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    Ensign Jesse Brown

    Ensign Jesse Brown

    Jesse Brown was the first African American Navy aviator. He died after his plane crash-landed during a mission in Korea on December 4, 1950.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    Alex Haley

    Alex Haley

    The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Roots: The Saga of an American Family served 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he perfected his writing skills as a chief journalist.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr.

    General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr.

    Chappie James graduated from Tuskegee in 1942, becoming a Tuskegee Airmen in 1943. In September 1975 he became the first African American four-star general in the military and shared at a retirement news conference that despite the struggles to integrate the military, if he could relive his life, he’d join the Air Force again.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    General Colin L. Powell

    General Colin L. Powell

    Colin Powell graduated from City College of New York in 1958, becoming an infantry lieutenant. He spent two tours in Vietnam and reached four stars in 1989.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    Cadet Henry O. Flipper

    Cadet Henry O. Flipper

    In 1877, despite years of discrimination, Henry O. Flipper became the first African American to graduate from West Point. Yet racism limited and eventually derailed his military career.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    General Frank E. Petersen

    General Frank E. Petersen

    General Petersen joined the Navy in 1950 and earned his wings and Marine commission in 1952. He was the first African American to become a Marine fighter pilot and general.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    General Hazel W. Johnson

    General Hazel W. Johnson

    Hazel Johnson was the first African American woman to be named a general in the Army and the first to lead the Army Nurse Corps. General Johnson joined the Army in 1955 and also served as the director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing. Throughout her life she distinguished herself as a military and public health care professional.

    (Photo credit: Getty Images)
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    Terry James Art & Frame Painting of a Revolutionary War soldier 2009

    Terry James Art & Frame Painting of a Revolutionary War soldier 2009

    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, © Don Troiani

    Exhibition Objects

    “The Fifteenth Amendment. Celebrated May 19th 1870”

    View Object about “The Fifteenth Amendment. Celebrated May 19th 1870”

    Cabinet card of Col. Charles Young as a cadet at West Point, 1889

    View Object about Cabinet card of Col. Charles Young as a cadet at West Point, 1889

    Montford Point Marines Congressional Gold Medal, 2011

    View Object about Montford Point Marines Congressional Gold Medal, 2011

    French Croix de Guerre medal issued to Cpl. Lawrence Leslie McVey, 1918

    Gift of Gina R. McVey, Granddaughter
    View Object about French Croix de Guerre medal issued to Cpl. Lawrence Leslie McVey, 1918

    Medal of Honor bestowed on Sergeant Cornelius H. Charlton, 1952

    Gift of Ray R. and Patricia A.D. Charlton in memory of Cornelius H. Charlton
    View Object about Medal of Honor bestowed on Sergeant Cornelius H. Charlton, 1952

    Flight helmet worn by Thunderbird pilot Gen. Lloyd W. Newton, ca. 1974

    Gift of General Lloyd "Fig" Newton
    View Object about Flight helmet worn by Thunderbird pilot Gen. Lloyd W. Newton, ca. 1974

    US Navy dress jumper worn by Lorenzo DuFau on USS Mason, 1944–45

    Gift of Lorenzo A. DuFau
    View Object about US Navy dress jumper worn by Lorenzo DuFau on USS Mason, 1944–45

    US Navy dress uniform hat worn by Admiral Michelle Howard, 1999

    Gift of Admiral Michelle J. Howard, U.S. Navy
    View Object about US Navy dress uniform hat worn by Admiral Michelle Howard, 1999
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