Black Soldiers in the 20th Century

803rd Pioneer Infantry Band

Photographs, ca. 1919, Samuel Loomis Hypes photographs and postcards.

Samuel Loomis Hypes was a captain in the U.S. Army's 803rd Pioneer Infantry. This photograph shows African Americans who served during World War I on the U.S.S. Philippine. These men were a part of the 803rd Pioneer Infantry Band.

Maynard Miller

Photograph, Maynard Miller photograph album.

Maynard Miller was an African American staff sergeant with the 3540th and 3524th Quartermaster Truck Company, an African-American company stationed in occupied Japan in 1946.

Page of photographs

Maynard Miller photograph album.

This album consists of photographs of African-American soldiers in Tokyo and other locales in occupied Japan during 1946.

Photograph, Wilson "Sandy" Rose

Photograph, 1970, Wilson “Sandy” Rose letters.

Wilson “Sandy” Rose fought with the 25th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. This photograph shows Rose at work.

Photograph, Wilson "Sandy" Rose

Photographs, 1970, Wilson “Sandy” Rose letters.

Wilson “Sandy” Rose fought with the 25th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. This photograph shows Rose in his living quarters.

Many African Americans sought to support the war effort during WWI and WWII, despite the fact that they continued to fight discrimination and segregation at home. While serving overseas, they had the opportunity to integrate with the local population, where they often felt more accepted and welcome than they did in the United States.