This study has four stand-alone, chronological chapters that examine selected African-American military unites spanning from 1775 to 1945, covering the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War I, and World War II. Each chapter is conclusive and relative to the big picture. It represents a dedicated effort to draw attention to African-American units and service members over four major wars covering some 170 years. This book is not intended to cover all aspects of African-American contributions to the freedom of our great nation but to offer a stimulus for more individual and collective examination of the untold and unwritten accounts of African-Americans in combat in the continental United States and overseas. The intent was not only to attract the students of military history but to provide a broad examination of the facts that would equally attract the casual student of history as well as those who consider themselves professional historians, regardless of their ethnic background. Finally, this study presents a forum for an intellectual discourse on African-American contributions to the development of America. For the sake of all Americans, especially professional soldiers, it offers insight into an often-overlooked aspect of our American military heritage.

Introduction -- Revolutionary War -- Civil War -- World War I -- World War II -- Conclusion -- Appendix A: U.S. Colored Troops and states of organization during the Civil War.