Black History Is Military History: Honoring the Legacy of Black Service Members

Black History Month is an opportunity to consider the broad scope of the contributions Black Americans have made to this country-contributes that often get lost, minimized, or tucked into the broader narrative of American history with little fanfare. But let me be clear: Black history is American history. And when we talk about military service, that truth echoes even louder.

For centuries, Black women and men have fought, bled, and died for a nation that did not always value their humanity. From the start of the nation’s history through today, they’ve served with distinction and honor, and often in the face of systemic barriers that sought to keep them from full participation in the freedoms they defended.

As a veteran and a representative of the servicemen and women seeking higher education, I am always reminded that military service is not just a duty, but a calling, an act of strength and resilience, the very conduit toward opportunity previous generations but could only dream of. Of course, all of these opportunities didn’t come free but rather won at front-line battlefields overseas and inside our country’s walls.

A Legacy of Strength and Service

Think of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first official Black military units in the Union Army during the Civil War. Their bravery at Fort Wagner shattered doubts about Black soldiers ‘ability to fight with valor.

Think of the Buffalo Soldiers, the Black cavalry and infantry regiments who, despite discrimination, protected settlers, built infrastructure, and upheld military excellence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Think of the Harlem Hell fighters, the all-Black regiment in World War I who saw action longer than any other American unit yet returning home to segregation and racial violence.

Think of the Tuskegee Airmen, the Montford Point Marines, the Golden Thirteen, and countless others who broke barriers while serving a nation that placed obstacles in their path.

On the campus of Delaware State University, we are proud to commemorate our history and protect it. Which is why you will find the campus with a memorial area devoted to the Tuskegee Airmen, those groundbreaking, aviators who became the first group of African Americans to fly a combat mission overseas in World War II, proving that excellence and proficiency have no racial limits. Situated between the William C. Jason Library and the Mishoe Science Center, this memorial serves as a way of honoring their bravery, selflessness, and contribution to war aviation.

Whether on the trenches, in the skies, or at the uppermost level of the command, Black soldiers never shied away from a challenge. Theirs is a reminder that nothing good comes without cost and that the fight for equity did not cease with desegregation directives within the military or legislative gains.

Today, Black service members continue the arc of legacy that shapes the character of our military. They lead, they innovate, and in word and deed, they uphold the principles of courage and commitment that have always defined their predecessors.

Why This Matters

This history is not just the recognition of the past but also understanding the present. Black veterans and active-duty service members have shaped our nation’s military’s policy, leadership and command, and diversity in an enormous manner. But desegregation orders and legislative victories were one thing; the fight for equity within the armed forces was quite another. The struggles of Black veterans, from securing benefits to breaking through leadership ceilings, are a reminder that history does not live in the past but rather moves with us into the present.

As a country, and indeed as an institution, and especially here at Delaware State University, an HBCU with deep ties to military service, it is our responsibility to honor these stories—not just during Black History Month, but every day. We must also recognize that Black military history isn’t a different chapter; it’s intertwined within America’s story.

This month, I ask you to learn, reflect, and engage. Take a visit to the Tuskegee Airmen memorial space on campus. Engage with Black veterans and active-duty service members in our community. Ask them about their time and experiences. Read about the legacies of those who paved the way.

And most importantly, understand that honoring Black history is not about division but about sharing the full truth about who we are as a nation.

Because when we honor Black service members, we honor America itself.

With deep respect and solidarity,

Lolita Treadwell
Director for DSU Dover AFB (DAFB)
Veteran, US Army