Panel Seven - Vietnam War

The first thing the artists wanted to memorialize was military integration. African Americans have been  fighting in every war, but equal treatment wasn’t mandatory until Executive Order 9981 was issued by Harry S. Truman in 1948. Though discrimination persisted within the services, the Vietnam War was the first conflict in which white and black soldiers were fully integrated (Ferguson, 2021). 

The Civil Rights movement was in full swing. This is a time in history when social issues were burdensome, even escalating during the Vietnam War era. Yet here are white and black soldiers, depending on each other, working together, and on patrol going down the muddy road. An African American soldier is looking back at the viewers as if on patrol with them. Also notice that he is the one holding the purple book. Again, the book could be a map or a training manual, but there is some symbolism about who is holding the book. 

This is a time when the African American community was using their constitutional rights that should apply to all regardless of skin color. And yet, over 300,000 African Americans volunteered to serve in this war, which is a great show of patriotism and loyalty. 

In the middle of the panel there is a crossroad perpendicular to the path of the patrol formation. This was included as a symbol of how divided our country was about the war and how it was handled. For the first time in our country’s history we are seeing war on the television and embedded reporters. However, there is much speculation as to whether the televised war resulted in empathy or apathy. 

Smoke is rising in the distance. It can be inferred that they are on patrol responding to contact taking place somewhere up ahead. The artists intended to personalize the soldiers. One is shown with the Ace of spades sign on his helmet, and another has a peace sign.  Most importantly, regardless of what sets us apart from others, our military will be integrated for ever more.

Insider Information

Robert’s experience with patrols in the Army helped to accurately place the formation. He knew what weapons system needed to go where. The comms guy, the leader, and all the rest were positioned with a purpose.

Robert has a fond memory of his father initiating a movie night to show “Glory”. He remembers his father saying to him, “Men of all color died for your freedom.” It was a very important life lesson.

There is also a crossroad featured in Panel 10 as our country has also been divided about the Iraq-Afghanistan war and how it has been handled.

Special Artist Credit

Dovile Drozdovas helped with the trees and skyline to make it look more like a jungle.

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Ferguson, P. (2021, February 23). African American Service and Racial Integration in the U. S. Military. https://army.mil/article/243604/african_american_service_and_racial_integration_in_the_u_s_military