July 26, 1948 – President Truman Ends Military Segregation
![By Frank Gatteri, United States Army Signal Corps [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Harry S. Truman](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Harry_S._Truman.jpg)
President Harry S. Truman

A. Phillip Randolph (November 1942)
President Truman stated in Number (1) of Order 9981 :
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. This policy shall be put into effect as rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or morale.
Tuskegee Airmen in Italy During 1945
![By Frissell, Toni, 1907-1988, photographer.Jake Wartenberg at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons Tuskegee airmen 2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Tuskegee_airmen_2.jpg/512px-Tuskegee_airmen_2.jpg)
Photograph shows several Tuskegee airmen. Front row, left to right: unidentified airman; Jimmie D. Wheeler (with goggles); Emile G. Clifton (cloth cap) San Francisco, CA, Class 44-B. Standing left to right: Ronald W. Reeves (cloth cap) Washington, DC, Class 44-G; Hiram Mann (leather cap); Joseph L. “Joe” Chineworth (wheel cap) Memphis, TN, Class 44-E; Elwood T. Driver? Los Angeles, CA, Class 44-A; Edward “Ed” Thomas (partial view); Woodrow W. Crockett (wheel cap); at Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945. (Source: Tuskegee Airmen 332nd Fighter Group pilots.)