Military history of African Americans in the Vietnam War
African Americans played a prominent role in the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War was the first American war in which Black and White troops were not formally segregated, and even saw significant growth in the number of African Americans engaged in battlefield combat, though some de facto segregation still occurred.
25th Infantry Division soldier Private First Class Milton Cook spraying a tree line with M60 fire during Operation Cedar Falls in 1967.
Capt. William T. Watson, aids injured dog.
Members of the 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry (Mechanized), set up an M-60 machine gun position during a search and clear mission
Company D, 1st Military Police Battalion Marines keep watch on the Cam Le Bridge
Terry Marvell Whitmore was an American soldier, deserter and actor.
Terry Whitmore receiving Purple Heart from President Johnson December 23, 1967.