On July 26, 1948, President Harry Truman signed an executive order ending segregation in the military.
The act is the genesis of a Jacksonville native’s new book “Unwritten Truce,” which explores the military’s early struggles with desegregation.
“There's some difficult history there, but it's necessary history, because the military didn't always embrace the ideals of inclusion and equality of opportunity," says Troy Mosley, a retired Lt. Colonel in United States Army."
Mosley, who now lives in Washington D.C., says his 20 years of service was made possible by the sacrifices of others.
"I was always aware that doors had been opened because of the advances this country has made in civil rights," Mosley said. “There's some difficult history there, but it's necessary history, because the military didn't always embrace the ideals of inclusion and equality of opportunity."
It was reluctant change -- it took six full years for the last segregated regiment to be disbanded.
"Going through that transformation period, they have learned that the only thing that matters is your competence and willingness to serve, and they have embraced these ideals," Mosley said.
Today, minority groups account for upwards of 40 percent of our armed forces -- and women are allowed to serve in combat roles.
"Unwritten Truce" will be available in bookstores in Aug. 2018.