General Orders No. 38-A from General John J. Pershing. From the service of Private First Class James Dixon, Jr. Company B, 511th Engineers Service Battalion (Colored), American Expeditionary Forces.
During World War I, thousands of African American men answered their country's call and joined the armed services. Though segregation policies at the time forced 80% of African American servicemen into labor or support roles, the 92nd and 93rd Infantry Divisions saw fierce combat in Europe.