Segregation in the U.S. Military: Ruben Rivers

Ruben Rivers and others helped end segregation in the U.S. military.

by Michael Haskew On July 26, 1948, President Harry Truman issued Executive Order No. 9981, which stated in part, “It is hereby declared 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.” [text_ad] Although some senior officers in the U.S. military establishment resisted such a monumental and fundamental change, the days of segregation were numbere