Carrel S. Cade, Jr.

Fifty years ago President Harry Truman signed an executive order effectively integrating the United States armed forces. The order declared "There shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin," and it established a presidential committee to implement the policy. Black soldiers had fought for this cou

ntry since the American Revolution, but, as in other aspects of society, black servicemen were segregated in the armed forces. Blacks lived in separate barracks and ate in separate dining halls. Still, there remained one constant in every major U.S. conflict through World War II: When manpower shortages arose, blacks were enlisted. PRESIDENT TRUMAN: I realized that I could take the first step. It came to me that I was commander and chief of the armed forces, and that I could order them to integrate as their commander in chief, and they would have to do it. The original aviators were of the U.S. Army Air Corps 99th Pursuit Squadron formed in 1941, the first all-black flying unit in U.S. history. As pivotal figures in both African-American and U. military history, the success of the Tuskegee Airmen helped lead to President Harry S. Truman's decision to eliminate racial discrimination in the military in 1948. In January 1949, Carrel S. Cade, Jr. was one of many Tuskegee Airmen invited to participate in the Presidential Inaugural Parade for President Harry S. Truman. November 12, 2012 at 1:29am