Executive Order 9981Superseded

Desegregation of the Armed Forces

Harry S. Truman

July 26, 1948

13 FR 4313

Summary

Abolished racial discrimination in the United States Armed Forces, mandating equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin. A landmark step in the civil rights movement.

Topics

civil rightsmilitarydesegregationracial equality

Related Executive Orders

EO 9066revoked

Authorizing the Secretary of War to Prescribe Military Areas

Franklin D. Roosevelt — February 19, 1942

EO 10730active

Desegregation of Central High School, Little Rock, Arkansas

Dwight D. Eisenhower — September 23, 1957

EO 10925superseded

Establishing the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity

John F. Kennedy — March 6, 1961

EO 11063superseded

Equal Opportunity in Housing

John F. Kennedy — November 20, 1962

EO 11246active

Equal Employment Opportunity

Lyndon B. Johnson — September 24, 1965