- During the Civil War, more than 200,000 black men rallied to preserve the Union and earn their place as free men

- In the Indian Wars, four regiments of "Buffalo Soldiers" made the frontier safe for settlers

- When called upon in the Spanish-American War, black soldiers battled side by side with white soldiers as they took back Cuba's San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill

Chronicling the role African Americans played in the military history of the United States, The African-American Soldier portrays, war by war, the struggles of the courageous men and women who secured the right of black Americans to fight in the army, navy, marines, and air force for their country -- a country that provided them with nearly two centuries of discrimination and racism, barely acknowledging their human rights as citizens.

While they had resoundingly defeated foreign enemies before World War I erupted, African Americans had yet to conquer racism at home, which kept them in segregated units and the lowest ranks. More than 400,000 blacks volunteered to serve; yet only about ten percent of those saw combat -- because they were not welcome on the field as equals.

Throughout World War II and the Korean conflict, blacks had to protest at home before they were allowed to defend their country abroad. It was not until after the Vietnam War that they finally tasted the fruits of racial victory when the armed forces implemented and enforced its "equal opportunity plans", providing fair and equal training for all service members. By the time of Desert Storm, black soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines served in everyposition and every rank, including chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

This account of the road to racial equality in the military tracks progress and setbacks, pivotal events which brought military racial issues to the fore, as well as dramatic firsts for African Americans.