Who issued Executive Order 9981 to desegregate the armed forces?

• A. Harry S. Truman
• B. Franklin D. Roosevelt
• C. Lyndon B. Johnson
• D. John F. Kennedy

Answer: (A)

Desegregating the armed forces through a presidential command marks a pivotal move toward equal rights in the mid-20th century. Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 in 1948, declaring that there must be equality of treatment and opportunity in the U.S. military regardless of race, color, religion, or national origin. This wasn't just a policy statement; it set a concrete mandate to end segregation across the services and established a framework to move toward implementation and oversight. The move reflected a broader push for civil rights after World War II and helped shift public expectations about national unity and fairness, reinforcing the idea that the military should represent the nation it serves. Other presidents listed did not issue this order, making Truman the figure tied to initiating this desegregation.