African Americans played a significant role in protecting and liberating many Europeans from Nazi invasion and rule during World War II. They helped fight for human rights over seas, yet they were being denied these same rights back home by the very country they were fighting for. It seems somewhat ironic that Americans had the audacity to persecute fellow patriots. For this very reason, Black World Studies is a field in which all citizens of America must study in order to gain the knowledge of the black contribution to the building of a society that we all take such a great pleasure in.
             Traditional racist views among white civilians and even among military leaders initially made it difficult for African Americans to enter the United States armed forces, let alone be put in live action combat. Earlier contributions from blacks in the military were too often ignored or under minded. Failures of military operations were also exaggerated into accusations against the blacks and claims of their inability to serve properly. Even in the face of this oppression, large numbers of black citizens volunteered to serve and fight for their country. They had hoped that their contribution and sacrifice would once and for all prove to the white community that they deserved a place in a society they were helping to create.
             U.S. Representative Hamilton Fish (R – New York) once said in 1944 that "Fourteen millions of loyal Americans have the right to expect that in a war for the advancement of the 'Four Freedoms' their sons be given the same right as any other American to train, to serve, and
             to fight in combat units in defense of the United States in this greatest war in its history." 2.5 million African Americans registered for the draft. It'd be safe to assume a large number of these African Americans served and fought in the war. During their service in many branches of the U.S. military, they faced even more persecution, but pre...