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Love of Country Trivia Quiz

Americans of African descent have made substantial contributions in every war the United States has engaged. Here are some little known highlights.

A multiple-choice quiz by Brooklyn1447. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Brooklyn1447

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
368,586

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
381

One at a Time - Single Page

Question 1 of 10

1. In what American war did Americans of African descent first fight in integrated Army combat units? Hint

The Vietnam War

The Civil War

The Revolutionary War

World War II

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which branch of United States Armed Forces accepted Blacks throughout the entire 19th century? Hint

The United States Army

The United States Coast Guard

The United States Marines

The United States Navy

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Question 3 of 10

3. How many Americans of African descent served in the Union Army during the Civil War? Hint

None

More than 186,000

4 Regiments of about 2,400 in all

Only the 54th Massachusetts, about 900 men

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Question 4 of 10

4. How many cavalry regiments of Buffalo soldiers fought in the Indian Wars after the Civil War? Hint

Only 1

The 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments

The 1st through the 10th Cavalry Regiments

None. The Buffalo Soldiers were Infantry Regiments

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Question 5 of 10

5. During World War I, most Americans of African descent who volunteered for military service were relegated to what type of units? Hint

Infantry units

Artillery units

Cavalry units

Labor units

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who was the first American of African descent to be appointed a General in the United States Army? Hint

Colin Powell

Benjamin O. Davis, Sr

Bayard Rustin

Charles Young

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Question 7 of 10

7. In what year did President Truman order the end of segregated units in the United States Military? Hint

1952

1945

1948

1950

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Question 8 of 10

8. In 1977 Clifford Alexander was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to what position never held before by an American of African Descent? Hint

Secretary of the Army

Commanding General of the United States Army

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Secretary of Defense

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Question 9 of 10

9. Colin Powell was appointed to what position by President George H. W. Bush in 1989? Hint

Secretary of the Army

Secretary of Defense

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Secretary of State

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who was the first American of African descent to win the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars of the late 19th Century? Hint

Henry Flipper

Sergeant Emmanuel Stance

Benjamin O. Davis

Colin Powell

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In what American war did Americans of African descent first fight in integrated Army combat units?

Answer: The Revolutionary War

George Washington ignored a Continental Congress resolution that barred Americans of African descent from the Continental Army. More than 5,000 Americans of African descent fought for in the Continental Army or in State Militias during the course of the conflict.

2. Which branch of United States Armed Forces accepted Blacks throughout the entire 19th century?

Answer: The United States Navy

Black soldiers served in the Army through the war of 1812. In 1820 Secretary of War John C. Calhoun banned any further black enlistment into the Army. By the start of the Civil War the Army had become exclusively white.

3. How many Americans of African descent served in the Union Army during the Civil War?

Answer: More than 186,000

About 30,000 also served in the Navy. Fourteen were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Civil War. Faithful service by so many during the Civil War was a principal justification for adoption of the 15th Amendment prohibiting denial of the right to vote based upon race.

4. How many cavalry regiments of Buffalo soldiers fought in the Indian Wars after the Civil War?

Answer: The 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments

There were two cavalry, the 9th and 10th, and four infantry regiments, the 24th, 25th, 40th and 41st; the latter two merged into the 24th and 25th in 1869. The Buffalo Soldiers also served in the Spanish American War and in the Mexican Punitive Expedition of 1916.

5. During World War I, most Americans of African descent who volunteered for military service were relegated to what type of units?

Answer: Labor units

But the 369 National Guard Regiment from New York, nicknamed the "Harlem Hell Fighters" won a deserved reputation as a fighting unit fighting alongside French troops. Notwithstanding its gallantry, by the start of World War II, there were only 5 officers of African descent in the entire United States Army.

6. Who was the first American of African descent to be appointed a General in the United States Army?

Answer: Benjamin O. Davis, Sr

General Davis was appointed in 1940 by President Franklin Roosevelt. More than 900,000 Americans of African descent served in World War II. Most were in segregated units, but the Coast Guard and Navy began some integration on fleet support ships as the war progressed, and about 4,500 soldiers from black units volunteered to fight in all-white companies during the Battle of the Bulge.

7. In what year did President Truman order the end of segregated units in the United States Military?

Answer: 1948

President Truman's action paved the way for full participation of Americans of African descent at all ranks of the military. However, it took until 1983 for Americans of African descent to reach 10% of the officer corps in the Army.

8. In 1977 Clifford Alexander was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to what position never held before by an American of African Descent?

Answer: Secretary of the Army

Secretary Alexander is a graduate of Harvard University and Yale Law School. His mother, Edith McAllister Alexander, was the first woman of African descent to be chosen as a Democratic elector to the Electoral College.

9. Colin Powell was appointed to what position by President George H. W. Bush in 1989?

Answer: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Colin Powell's mother and father were from Jamaica. He grew up in the South Bronx and went to CCNY majoring in Geology (City College of New York). He served as National Security Advisor to President Ronald Reagan and as Secretary of State during the George W. Bush Presidency.

10. Who was the first American of African descent to win the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars of the late 19th Century?

Answer: Sergeant Emmanuel Stance

Sergeant Stance was the first of 18 Buffalo Soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor for service in the Indian Wars from 1870 to 1890. Sergeant Stance led a patrol to rescue two boys who had been kidnapped by Apaches and successfully freed them. His gallantry during the mission resulted in his being awarded the Medal of Honor on June 28, 1870.

Source: Author Brooklyn1447

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