What did Executive Order 9981 establish or commit?

• A. The desegregation of the armed services.
• B. The creation of a separate veterans' police force.
• C. A new federal department of defense.
• D. A ban on African American soldiers.

Answer: (A)

Executive Order 9981 set out to end racial segregation in the U.S. military and guarantee equal treatment and opportunity for all service members, regardless of race, color, religion, or national origin. Signed by President Truman in 1948, this order required the armed forces to desegregate and opened up promotions, assignments, and leadership roles to people of all backgrounds. It was a landmark move because it used federal authority to challenge discriminatory practices in a major national institution, helping to pave the way for broader civil rights advances. It did not create a separate veterans' police force, it did not establish a new department of defense, and it certainly did not ban African American soldiers.