From Kitchen to Combat: The Changing
Role of African American Servicemen in
World War I
Charity Haley
Dr. Tracey Owens Patton
African American & Diaspora Studies
Communication & Journalism
PROPOSED RESEARCH PROJECT
Introduction
When the United States of America entered World War I on
April 6, 1917, able-bodied men across the country signed up to
do their part. Once the draft was instituted, Black men enlisted
in record numbers and new segregated units were created to
manage them. The majority of these men would not see combat
and instead were organized into labor battalions. There African
American servicemen would spend The Great War building
roads, unloading ships, and digging ditches and graves. It was
not until increasing pressure from the Black community at
home led to the creation of the 92nd and 93rd divisions that
African American servicemen would see combat in Europe.
The Black press was instrumental in the government’s policy
reversal as it provided a platform for debate and organization
within the African American community.
Research Objective
The disparity between the treatment of Africa American servicemen and their White counterparts by the United
States military during WWI is often contemptible. In spite of this treatment, African American men continued to
enlist in record numbers. This research will address the treatment of African American servicemen during WWI
when they were subjected to segregation, and Black regiments were assigned to service rather than combat units.
The United States government would eventually allow Black men into combat during this war, but only reluctantly.
This research intends to document the societal pressures that forced the government to allow African American
men into combat roles. The transition will be assessed through the examination of articles from African American
newspapers of the time documenting community attitudes towards The Great War. Additionally, government
records will be reviewed to establish a pattern of institutionalized discrimination. Taken together, the findings will
demonstrate a correlation between societal pressures at home and the changing role of African American
servicemen abroad.
William S. Elliot of the 92nd Division
Importance of the Study
While copious research has been done on World War I, much
of it has minimized the contributions of African American
servicemen. Likewise, overlooked are the political actions of
the Black communities at home that resulted in the US
government allowing African American men into combat roles.
This study is being done in the hopes of contributing to a
holistic understanding of the African American community’s
complex relationship to WWI.
Designated Unit Insignia of the 369th Infantry Regiment
Historiographical Methods
The 92nd Division marches into a newly liberated Genoa
Purpose Statement
This study will examine the societal pressures within the
United States that eventually forced the government to allow
African American men into combat roles.
 The University of Wyoming’s collection of African American periodicals and journals from the era will be
reviewed to establish the arguments within the Black community for and against the war.
 Quantitative Data from the Department of the Interior housed in the University of Wyoming Government
Documents Annex will be reviewed to establish the numbers and distribution of African American troops.
Wounded Veterans in a parade in New York
 A review of publications by the White press will be undertaken in an effort to access prevalent attitudes of the
community in regards to Black servicemen.
 Analysis of these sources may demonstrate a correlation between societal pressures at home and the changing
role of African American servicemen abroad.
New York's famous 369th Infantry arrive in New Jersey
Acknowledgements




Dr. Tracey Owens Patton
Rebecca Letts
University of Wyoming McNair Scholars Program
University of Wyoming Department of African American and
Diaspora Studies
 The University of Wyoming Department of Communication and
Journalism
 Zackie Salmon , Susan Stoddard, and Pilar Flores