European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 9, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                1sj i Black americans in uniform struggle for military Equality one of the rights american Blacks had to struggle to win was the right to Bea arms in defense of their  colonial times to world War a. Blacks periodically were banned from the ranks accepted when the need was severe then dismissed again. The pattern is outlined in Black americans in defense of our nation written in the defense department s office of equal Opportunity and safety policy. The historic pattern included resurfacing allegations about Blacks cowardice or inability 1o fight and doubts about Black officers ability to Lead. Bui Blacks own performance and the efforts of Blacks and Whites to fight discrimination make the armed forces today what at Toast one scholar Calls the Best integrated institution in american we. As the number of Blacks in America grew during colonial times so did Whites fears of a slave revolt. Magazine pin and Ink Torch by in thru rom Langton of Mack inept ten ing in lha wait in the hit 19th Cun Twy. Blacks generally were banned  in peacetime the Dod history says. In emergencies when White citizens were strapped for manpower to meet the military need limited numbers of Blacks were permitted to join the defenders ranks. But their roles often were limited to support Only occasionally were they allowed in combat units. Even More rarely were Blacks found in leadership Tupu number Orbuck meat end Uultt it War than 100 Tjada Itma at Ofren during Hockl War vaulting who would be free themselves mus strike the blow of Burlington co lit Mirta Ihm my in fcb a r a m Nurmi pm fax harm twi i  Milf my his Imi the Ftp to of Rihr her. Now is tour Tiu the Board of freeholders of Burlington go scr a of for or Tom $200 Tom w Amr Smirt Loh a �. To in i in or try Terr pm. Pm mtg it of n.0 in month Ombemi aaa  Geo. Snyder roles and never As officers. Although Black minutemen fought at Lexington and Concord George Washington s Continental forces at first denied enlistment to Blacks. But by mid-1778, each of Washington s brigades in need of reinforcements had been integrated by at least 40 Black soldiers the Dod account says. Later that year Ell Black units were formed and one held the line against British and hessian troops at the Battle of Rhode Island giving the american army time to escape. By wart end about 5,000 Black soldiers had served in the colonial army of 300,000, fighting in most Battles and earning Praise from their commanders. After the War Blacks were  from the new nation s armed forces. Congress passed a Law i 1792 saying Only free Able bodied White male citizens could serve in the militias. The Navy was too Short of recruits to enforce a similar ban. During the War of 1812. With fleets engaged at sea and on the great lakes Blacks experience in the revolutionary War and in shipping made them an important resource. Commodore Oliver Perry praised Blacks As insensible to danger in helping to free the great lakes of British control and the battalion of free men of color helped Gen. Andrew Jackson rout the British at new Orleans. At the Start of the Chi War Blacks had no Rote in the North s War Effort. But by mid-1862. Union army recruiting was in a slump and Congress revoked the Law barring Blacks from the of Vitlas. In May 1663, the War department created the . Coloured troops with White officers. At the same time Blacks took part in their first major Battles port Hudson. Maui Cen e Bend and fort Wagner and Siose who watched lost their scepticism about Blacks fighting a Talty. More than 180.000 Blacks served in the coloured troops10 percent of the Union  that Many More served As teamsters labourers and Dock workers. Fewer than 100 served As officers. The Navy always Short of recruits started enlisting Blacks in the fag of 1861. But they usually had to work As servants Cooks or powder boys. By 1862. Seamen ranks had been opened to Blacks and by the end of the War about 30,000 had served in an enlisted naval Force of 118.000. White Macks never achieved officer or even Petty officer rank ships were integrated. When worm War i began in Europe Black units sent to protect settlers in the american West were some of the Best trained and most experienced troops in the United states. Two Black divisions were formed. The 92nd inf All continued on Page 14 sunday february 1986 stars and stripes Page 13