Double V Campaign, Pittsburgh Courier, 1942 newspaper article “Three Minute Egg Club,” circa 1944 photo   President Truman Integrates the Military Black airman, as well as many black soldiers, fought in World War II. But they fought as part of a segregated, black army. World War II exposed the costs–human and financial–of maintaining segregated armed forces. In 1948 President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981, which called for equality of treatment and opportunity for all members of the military. This order established the Fahey Committee to carry out the provisions of the executive order and led to the eventual integration of blacks into the military. In 1949 the U.S. Air Force became the first armed service to integrate its units. In the 1950s and ’60s, the door of equality opened wider for black aviators. The courageous actions of pioneering black aviators had paved the way for future generations of black aviators and astronauts. PREVIOUS PAGE   |   VIEW IMAGES FROM THIS SECTION   NASM Main | Home | The Black Wings Story | Search the Archives | Classroom Activities | Teaching Resources | What's New