September 14, 1940 | African Americans Allowed Into All US Military Branches
![By usaf [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons First Tuskeegee Class](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/First_Tuskeegee_Class.jpg/512px-First_Tuskeegee_Class.jpg)
Maj James A. Ellison reviews first class of Tuskeegee Airmen, returning the salute of Mac Ross, one of the first graduates. A BT-13 is visible on the left. (1941)
The discussion of a draft service for the country was quite controversial, but the possibility of the country becoming involved in the second world war made it a necessity in the opinion of many legislators.
![By Unknown or not provided (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons "Leading petty officers of one of the Navy's new Logistics Support Companies... This company is undergoing combat traini - NARA - 535537](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/%22Leading_petty_officers_of_one_of_the_Navy%27s_new_Logistics_Support_Companies..._This_company_is_undergoing_combat_traini_-_NARA_-_535537.jpg/512px-%22Leading_petty_officers_of_one_of_the_Navy%27s_new_Logistics_Support_Companies..._This_company_is_undergoing_combat_traini_-_NARA_-_535537.jpg)
“Leading petty officers of one of the Navy’s new Logistics Support Companies… This company is undergoing combat training by Service Force Advance Base Section at a station on Oahu Island prior to their departure for duty in a combat area.” May 10, 1945
Senator Robert F. Wagoner of New York proposed an amendment to the Selective Service Act that would open the doors to any branch of military service for African Americans and other minorities.
![By Steven Polson (U.S. Senate Art & History) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Robert F Wagner](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Robert_F_Wagner.jpg/512px-Robert_F_Wagner.jpg)
Robert F. Wagner, U.S. Senate portrait
![See page for author [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Hamilton Fish III](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Hamilton_Fish_III.jpg/512px-Hamilton_Fish_III.jpg)
Hamilton Fish III (1888 – 1991), a U.S. Representative from New York