President Truman’s Integration of the Armed Forces
Provisions of Executive Order 9981
Executive Order 9981, issued on July 26, 1948, declared it to be “the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national, origin.” “This policy,” the President directed, “shall be put into effect as rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or morale.” By the same order the President announced there would be created in the National Military Establishment a Committee of seven members with authority “to examine into the…
